During the first two model years or three--all E-9's coming to the USA were originally fitted with anodized aluminum kidney grills--some of you call them chrome--this changed to the black slat type at about mid-year production in 1973 for US bound Coupes--don't know for Euro models. Since then some confusion has followed with the belief that only CSL's were authorized to sport the black slat grills--remember NO CSL's were ever officially imported to the US by Hoffman Motors and many of you admit to having the black slats--all CSL's have found their way to these shores by individual sponsorship--many by armed forces members returning--especially pilots--since their incomes were higher--ya know flight pay and all--so buying one was easier.
Early E-9's were all fitted with chromed plastic hood/bonnet and side grills--mixed chrome/black was not a stock thing--athough some owners have chosen this mix--perhaps durability entered in as chromed plastic did not have a long life.
Along the way someone decided that black grills were cheaper to produce, and the fact that chromed plastic did not fare well in many climates and were also more expensive as original equipment and to replace. Black looked good especially on silver/white and some other lighter colors--however--few of the darker cars wore black unless an owner passed on the chromed ones due to their being more pricey.
As a practical matter the black ones can be easily re-finished to as new, whereas not so with the chromed plastic.
