For those of you who have seen the comment in the new issue of Dennis Carpenters parts catalog regarding the making of 1968-69 Grilles, I have the following information.
I was in contact with Dennis Carpenter. The following is an email I sent to them and then their response.
Attn. Dennis Carpenter
It has come to my attention that Dennis Carpenter is going to be reproducing the 1967 1968 and the 1969 Aluminum Grilles Is this true?
If it is true, When will they be available?
What would the cost be?
And where would these be made?
I've spoke directly with Pat Ford At the F100 Western Nationals regarding these grilles. At that time no plans were being made for the remanufacturing of these grilles.
Please help set me straight.

Sincerely,

Here is their response.

WE ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE FOR MAKING THE DIES FOR '68/69 GRILLES, NOT '67. WHEN COMPLETE, THE MANUFACTURING WILL TAKE PLACE WITH OUR ASSOCIATED COMPANIES IN CHINA. WE DO NOT EXPECT THESE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY APRIL 2014. IT IS TOO FAR OUT FOR A PRICE TO BE SET BUT A REASONABLE EXPECTATION WOULD BE IN THE $500-600 RANGE.




Dennis Carpenter Ford Reproductions
Carpenter Industries, Inc.

 

Pat Ford should be at the Nats this Saturday, so you could speak with him again.

For those unaware: Pat Ford is Carpenter's "road man" attends select shows/swap meets nationwide. Drives an F350 Stupor Crew pulling an enclosed trailer full of catalogs/repro parts.

June 22, 2013: F100 Western Nationals Truck Show held at Canyon RV Park, part of the Featherly Park complex, north of the 91 freeway in NE Anaheim.

 

$500-$600 for a reproduction made in China?

I guess if you were desperate.......

I'll pass.

China already has their hands too deep in America's pockets and one day they'll own this country if we don't stop buying their junk.

 

That is a lot of money. I assume that if it is DC it will be a good part, and I could use one, but that is still a lot of money. Could buy a new cam for that.

 

I would assume the tooling will be made here in america and then sent to china for the cheap labor. Depending on where the metal comes from and they get some good quality control; the grills may be pretty nice. With that being said; it may come down to the decision of a greatly restored grill which can be hard to find and more than $600 in most cases or a new DC grill?

 

Too expensive to make tooling or grilles in the US, much cheaper in the Orient.

 

I have read that DC is having problems with the '66 grilles fitting properly.
If these are made by the same company, I would use caution.

 

I had talked to DC several years ago in Charlotte NC and he had told me these grill were on his list because of high demand. Glad to see they got that going. I'm more than sure it will be a quality part when it finally hits the shelves.

 

Updating information from Dennis Carpenter.

The prototype stampings were viewed in late November in China by our management team and they liked the results. However, anodizing & polishing had not been done. They will probably not be available until June.

This is the latest information I have.

 

China already has their hands too deep in us. I think $600 for a cam or grill is a fair price. I heard that DC sold an New old stock grill $4500 once. Why can't we make anything over here? You don't have to answer I know why.

 

It's not the tooling it's labor rates just pennies aday for 16 hour workday no benefits. It's not hard to figure out why companies go over there to manufacture things.