I recently picked this up at SAAC 51. I assumed it to be a reproduction when I did. I took it out today and took a closer look and found these numbers cast into the part S8MS-8191-A.
What are your thoughts on this part? Real or aftermarket?
Thanks in advance
original fiberglass is usually pink on the back side. so my guess repo, others will know more. Pete has good reference on his site.
As good of a repro part as you will find. Many will give it the pink look with paint prior to painting as the assemblyline part will have body color overspray over the pink fiberglass instead of total coverage.
Pink, white or even greenish colors on original glass. I'm not sure on this piece. I know some reproductions had part numbers.
I think the two center tabs should be more rounded
Well, I'm sure it is a repro piece, with an poor attempt at an engineering #. See original in photo:
Thanks Don!
Quote from: 68blk500c on September 20, 2026, 12:45:09 PMWell, I'm sure it is a repro piece, with an poor attempt at an engineering #. See original in photo:
Yes they first came out over 20 years ago.Still the best alternative if you don't have a genuine to fix.
Yes, it appears to be a quality repro part. Engineering # was probably varied on purpose?
Quote from: 68blk500c on September 20, 2026, 04:22:50 PMYes, it appears to be a quality repro part. Engineering # was probably varied on purpose?
A Nobel thought by a gentleman. I am more cynical and feel it is more likely based on other reproductions that have come to market that the MFG did not think that it was that important to be that exact. especially back when that reproduction letter panel was first made 25 plus years ago.
that piece is much better than the repo,I bought and never used. I chose to repair the original. if you dont have one ,Id use it.
Quote from: 68blk500c on September 20, 2026, 04:22:50 PMYes, it appears to be a quality repro part. Engineering # was probably varied on purpose?
so what varied from the one in the OP pic and the pic you posted Don?
Quote from: highland green on September 20, 2026, 10:45:30 AMoriginal fiberglass is usually pink on the back side. so my guess repo, others will know more. Pete has good reference on his site.
I have original pieces that are white. I also have pink. My header that I'm using which I believe to be an original is white. My original header is pink( original paint broken in 2) When I get back home I'll look at the 2 and compare. My side scoops are white. Pass end cap is white. HL buckets pink. My 2 tail light panels.
My experience with unrestored 68s is the factory fiberglass was pink. My experience with service NOS fiberglass is the earliest service parts were pink. I also have seen NOS fiberglass that was mostly white with some blended pink. I have had later boxed, service fiberglass that had a light gray primer shot on the paint surface (not the backside). Even later boxed, NOS had darker primer on the paint surface.
Since we have photos here, without panels being side-by-side, it is not the best comparison situation. I do know that the cast engineering # is wrong--wrong # info. and wrong font size/style. Here is a series of photos of an NOS panel and features, for reference.
A couple more photos:
I think Don is giving great examples of the differences between original/assemblyline and service pieces. I agree other than super early stuff (green) assemblyline was pink. Service pieces can be pink, white or gray primer.