Tested Protoype Bezels and Grill from Epitome

Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

SignUp Now!

John Wilde

I'm getting too old for this $#!%
Staff member
Joined
May 27, 2001
Messages
10,866
Guys and Gals,

On Sunday I had a chance to work with Ted from Epitome on his new prototype products.
For those who don’t know he is working on replacement head light bezels and grills.
In having 3 of these cars in the last several years I can tell you how disappointing it is when the bezels begin to fade.
You can try to refurbish the stock units, but in my opinion it never looks right.
In the past you could buy replacement parts from GM, but that well has run dry a long time ago.

I am happy to say that I was very impressed with the fit and finish on these bezels.
His people have done an excellent job in duplicating our beloved lost parts.
We tested both the left and right sides and they installed with ease.
I took a couple steps back and I thought that I had new GM units on the car.
It pained me to uninstall these and put my factory faded pieces.
Once these are in final production form, they should be on every Buick lover’s Christmas list.

Once we were done testing the bezels, the grill was up next.
My first thought was it is funny getting under one of our cars with out a front mount.
I got under the car and with a hand 10MM socket I got the stock assembly off in a couple minutes.
The great thing is you don’t even have to jack the car up depending on your car’s ride height and your physical prowess. =)
I installed the grill put the springs on it and got out from under the car to take a look.
Wow, I was really impressed.
My driver is an 86 so it has the chrome top on the grill; however I have always preferred the look of the 86 grills.
Once again the fit and finish was excellent and a small part of me died when I removed it.

I summary these new pieces are really nice, the fit and finish it excellent and I would be happy to have either on my ride.
If you have original pieces that you want to store away or if you want to replace some faded pieces these are the ticket.
However the next time I put a set of these on the car anyone that wants them back will be in trouble!
 
John,

That's great to know, any pics by chance?

Thanks for the update and keep us posted how the bezels and grill work out for you.
 
I did not get any of the pictures that were taken.
Since these are still in the prototype phase it would be up to Ted to post any.
I will call him and see if there is anything he wants to release at this time.
It is nice that people are still putting time, effort and MONEY into making new products for these cars.
 
I just bought an OEM set of headlight bezels still in their GM boxes for $200 on ebay. The guy had just posted them with a buy it now of $200. I jumped all over them and put them away. I will be eventually getting the Epitome ones for my DD.
 
Honestly, I just hope they don't mistake/forget that I was in the first purchase group. I'll be watching the CC charge closely. :D

Luckily I am in no rush, I'm block sanding like crazy today though. My "redo" pile has eclipsed my "good" pile though. :(
 
It is nice that people are still putting time, effort and MONEY into making new products for these cars.

Agreed!:cool: Definitely gotta appreciate them because lord knows a lot of the larger scale companies will probably never lift a figure to make products for these cars considering the rather small numbers compared to the Mustangs, F-bodies, etc.

Thanks for your work and the update John.:smile:
 
Thanks for the help John. I just got the grille and headlight bezels you used to fit on your car and they look great. Things are rolling fast now, we'll have them here before we know it :)
 
I am awaiting shipment of the final prototypes now. Once I approve them they will run and then ship to us immediately. I am really looking forward to getting them :)
 
Back
Top