Surprise! The well known GMC grilles from 1949 through early 1955 use the same bars. This includes the more popular ½ ton through the very large over the road and quarry trucks. Chrome or painted, the four horizontal stamped metal bars are identical. Look at the following photos. The grille bars interchange!
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Between 1947-1953 the Chevrolet 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton grills were made from the same tooling. However, the paint colors and some with chrome plating made a difference. For the perfectionist, the following data will help you build a correct grill during your restoration.
The standard grill has inner and outer bars the body color. Horizontally, a pin stripe is run on the edge of the five outer bars. It is the same color as the cab stripe.
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Standard grills have outer bars the body color without a horizontal stripe. The inner back splash bars are white.
Outer bars on standard grills are the body color as prior years. The back splash color changes to Thistle Gray (light gray) to match the newly introduced gray hub caps and bumpers.
The deluxe grill has the five outer bars in chrome. The four inner bars remain the cab color.
The chrome grills for these years are plated on the outer bars. The back splash color remains the same white as the painted grill.
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No chrome grills produced due to the Korean War shortages. The grills are the same colors as the standard trucks.
The two outer vertical bars touch the fenders and are therefore this color. Unfortunately, the reproduction grilles are easily recognized at shows because the owners have not painted their outer bars fender color! The three inner vertical bars are semi-flat black. This prevents them from being easily seen when viewing the vehicle.
Used only the first 1 1/2 years into this body style, these GMC grilles stand out for their different shape and very heavy duty construction. Because of it’s weight this assembly, it sets on the frame and is given extra support by a pair of steel rods extended at an angle to the frame rail. See photo.
The grille has three horizontal bars and uses a heavier gauge metal than the four bar grille introduced in 1949. This same unit is found during 1947 and 1948 in all 1/2 ton through 2 ton GMC trucks.
On these early 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks the splash apron from the grill to the bumper is even different. The front bumper is the most unusual. It is rounded much like an automobile and has three bumper bolts on each side. They all have the small grill guard on the 1/2 and 3/4 ton.
Some suppliers of 1947 – Early 1955 bumpers and grilles state they are all the same. But, they are not. The 1947-1948 stands alone!
1947-1948 “3″ Bar (above)
Note the 3 bumper bolts. The center secures the front splash apron and securing braces. The other two are used by the dealers to attach GMC accessory larger grille guards to the bumper.
1947-1948 “3″ Bar (above)
1947-1948 Angle Grille Support (above)
1949-1955 “4″ Bar (above)
