Fake NOS '83 H/O Header Emblems

[88hurstolds]

With the advent of cheap Chinese aftermarket parts hitting the Gbody market there are a number of reproduced '83 H/O header emblems out there now.
Unless you have a trained eye the easiest way to start to ID a fake is if the back has threads on the large stud, later NOS '83's did have these threads as well but you can still use this as a starting point.
GM used orange covered two sided 3M tape and one Pal nut on the thin stud, originally the thick stud did not have threads and was used as a guide however later NOS units had received threads.
The first photo is the of a REAL emblem and is used, the next two are reproductions, the fourth photo is of a late NOS '83, the fifth is an early original NOS '83 and the last is an NOS '84 H/O header emblem.

Another dead giveaway is GM units were somewhat curved to fit the contour of the header panel, as you can see in the second and third photo they are flat and are missing the correct punch cut orange covered 3M tape.

Reproductions will have sharp font, especially noticeable in the 'A' and 'v'.

Be careful who you buy parts from on eBay and in the aftermarket... I've caught several people passing off repro decals, grilles, bezels and emblems off as GM parts.

USED '83 H/O
$(KGrHqMOKogE4t9gnok)BOUr(D(,TQ~~48_3.JPG

REPRODUCED '83 H/O
$(KGrHqYOKosE3FRJjW1(BNyNfnbc+Q~~_3.JPG

REPRODUCED '83 H/O notice the flat contour

$(KGrHqV,!oUFE(3ydblOBRHGHYoFFg~~60_57.jpg
NOS '83 H/O - notice the curved contour

$(KGrHqR,!pgFBYBm!81vBQd5mBRm7w~~60_57.jpg
NOS '83 H/O
NOS83HO2.jpg

NOS '84 H/O
NOS 84 HO header emblem.jpg

NOS 1983 H/O, notice the rounded font
Screenshot_20230530-204826_Samsung Internet.jpg

Reproduced 1983 H/O, notice the sharp font
Screenshot_20230530-204558_Samsung Internet.jpg

[88 Cutty Classic]

i bought my header emblem in 2002 when i got my hurst and its looks like the one in the 3rd and 4th pic. I think its possible that GM added an ECO at some point to add this.

[88hurstolds]

The third photo is a confirmed Reproduction.
The edges are not curved and are flat, also the threads are noticeably longer and the construction is shabby, notice how there is no collar at the base of the thin stud.

[lumberguy]

Were could I get a NOS emblem for an 1984 Hurst?

[88hurstolds]

Seems that the Parts Place in Chicago is selling these as NOS Genuine GM header emblems on eBay.
I compared this emblem to one on a 1983 Hurst Olds and the fit is not correct.
There is no curvature to the emblem to follow the lines of the header panel and the design of the letters, especially the point in the "A" and "V" in Anniversary, are sharp and crisp where as the originals are rounded.
The chrome looks like it will not hold up or chip the moment a rock touches it.
These are definatly cheap reproductions.

[88hurstolds]

Were could I get a NOS emblem for an 1984 Hurst?

They are discontinued.
eBay or the Parts Wanted section.

[88 Cutty Classic]

my original 83 emblem has the threads on the alignment stud. It was the original emblem to the car. My car was a late production 3/15/83. i can't remember if the one i put on had the threads or not.

i looked at the one i put on my car and it does have the curve in the "A" and "v"

[88 Cutty Classic]

what about the ones made by nostalgic reflections? it looks like they have the curve...i was going to have them look at and possibly restore my 83 and 84 emblems.

is there anyone else that restores these emblems?