[Watchdevil]

I can see the lines of the current grill in the 1972 models, so i think they appeared a lot earlier.

1972 Impala:

2008 Impala:

I was also able to see that too... The same crisp hoodlines that go down on either side of the split grille with the bumper bisecting the grille into a top and bottom.

 

[2648562]

Yeah, through the '80s and part of the '90s it was hard to have a split headlight grille on the trucks since everything had the same headlights! Was that like a federal mandate that there was only like 2 or 3 sizes of bulbs during that time? I mean nobody had anything different. Or was it some sort of gentleman's agreement that everyone would adhere to a standard? I know there was two sizes for sure, maybe a third, but that was it! Weird

It was kinda nice though. No fifty dollar bulbs back then. You could go anywhere to buy them too. And you could adjust them with ease. Oh, and they didn't yellow either!

 

[Watchdevil]

1950 Chevrolet

1951 Chevrolet

1957 Chevrolet

1960 Impala

1965 Malibu

1967 Chevy Truck

1970 Malibu

 

[Uzzy]

It was kinda nice though. No fifty dollar bulbs back then. You could go anywhere to buy them too. And you could adjust them with ease. Oh, and they didn't yellow either!

I've seen some get a yellow, or a fog over them, but it was rare, usually if they cracked and some were plastic (the smaller size, usually) and nowadays you can buy the $50 bulbs for them, cause you can get the H4 conversion like I did for the K-Car, or just buy the fancy sealedbeam. It was nice and simple, but ugly for the most part.

 

[Uzzy]

1967 Chevy Truck

Pedophile much? :slap:

But going back to the '50s cars, wow, I didn't realize the split grille went back that far.

 

[Watchdevil]

Yeah, through the '80s and part of the '90s it was hard to have a split headlight grille on the trucks since everything had the same headlights! Was that like a federal mandate that there was only like 2 or 3 sizes of bulbs during that time? I mean nobody had anything different. Or was it some sort of gentleman's agreement that everyone would adhere to a standard? I know there was two sizes for sure, maybe a third, but that was it! Weird

Before 1958 there were single round sealed beam headlamps which were mandated in 1940.

In 1958 regulations allowed dual round headlamps with seperate high and low beams.

1975 brought dual rectangular headlamps into regulation and GM was the first to use them on all Cadillacs, Buick Electra, Olds 98, Chevy Monza, Buick Skyhawk and Olds Starfire.

The 1977 Pontiac Phoenix introduced single rectangular headlamps.

All the above headlamps were glass sealed beams with no replacable bulbs.

The next advance in headlamps would come in 1984 with aerodynamic composite headlamps. The 1984 Lincoln Mark VII was the first vehicle to use them in the US. After that designers were given the freedom to make specific headlamp shapes while using various standard replacable bulb capsules.

With the introduction of each new headlamp styles, most manufacturers quickly adpated the new look as updates to older models as headlamps were an inportant influence in styling trends.

The use of older style sealed beam headlamps on late model vehicles is simply done as a cost cutting measure.

Different nations have different headlamp standards. It was common for European and Asian vehicles to have rectangular and/or composite headlamps with replaceable bulb capsules before the designs were ever approved for use in the US.

 

[knightfan26917]

Heh...some interesting "historical lines" in these pics.

The Monte Carlo (1970-1988) didn't really follow the Chevy grill, from what I can tell.... Any other models that didn't seem to follow that trend/pattern?



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Didn't I tell you?" ... Colbie Caillat ... 'Realize'

 

[Watchdevil]

Pedophile much? :slap:

Now that was uncalled for. Only you are thinking about things like that.

 

[Watchdevil]

Heh...some interesting "historical lines" in these pics.

The Monte Carlo (1970-1988) didn't really follow the Chevy grill, from what I can tell.... Any other models that didn't seem to follow that trend/pattern?



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Didn't I tell you?" ... Colbie Caillat ... 'Realize'

When studying various Chevrolet grille designs. Chevrolet grilles in general have never been consistant in theme from model to model or year to year but the horizontal split bar was the only reoccurring theme over several generations on specific models.

 

[Watchdevil]

More historical Chevy horizontal split grilles

1969 Chevelle Malibu

1976 Chevrolet Laguna

1978 Chevy Monza

1996 Impala SS

 

[Watchdevil]

Heh...some interesting "historical lines" in these pics.

The Monte Carlo (1970-1988) didn't really follow the Chevy grill, from what I can tell.... Any other models that didn't seem to follow that trend/pattern?

The original Monte Carlo was inspired by Cadillacs with it's eggcrate grille and vertical taillamps which was appropriate for the growing mid-size personal luxury field.