[motorcitymusclecar]

How can you compile a list of colors that is accurate when these cars were built in many assembly plants and things were done different at every plant. There were also many part suppliers and the color would vary from run to run. I have seen many parts in a variety of plating colors. Some times fender shims were black phosphate and othes were silver cad. Degrees of gloss, is another one that is difficult to nail down. What is 60% gloss or 50% or 100%.

These cars are a manufactured goods and the build is a process. The master cylinder was black after it was cast then the machining was done. So the body is black and all the machined surfaces are bare metal. The rear drum backing plate was phosphate gray and after it was installed on the car it was backed out once the axle was installed. So one side would be black and the other phosphate. Many other parts on the car were dipped in black paint: Frame, Core support, inner fenders, under body and engine brackets. So they should have runs and streaks in the black dye.

After the chassis was done, with all the lines, cables, hoses, brackets they were blacked out. The worker sprayed over it all with black paint. This covered the tags, markings and bare metal parts, including rear ends, control arms, and rear drums.

The engine was the same process, The engine was mostly assembled and then the blue paint was sprayed over all the detail. It was sprayed over the hardware and the brackets and in some cases the hoses. The paint was thin and barley a covering.

The outer body was just as bad, runs, paint flaws, bad body work. Just about every car done today is over- restored. If you truly want to know all the correct colors go to you local car show and take pictures of Original Un-restored low mile cars - that have not been messed with. It could be a nova, Impala, GTO, skylark - it does not matter it was all the same process. Or you can copy the fully restored car but how do you know it is right.

[PaulatFast]

Originally Posted by motorcitymusclecar

How can you compile a list of colors that is accurate when these cars were built in many assembly plants and things were done different at every plant. .......


....... Or you can copy the fully restored car but how do you know it is right.

John I agree completely! One of the issues that I have noted is the different standards used by individual Judges. What one Judge may consider correct, another may think is totally wrong. At least if we have a set of guidelines that a majority consider correct and acceptable, owners, restorers and judges will have a direction to take. While guys like you have access to great unrestored cars, others may be doing their first car, starting with a basket case and need help. That won't mean a car not built to those standards is incorrect, there are always exceptions.