[68tpls400]

On my (mostly) original paint '74 t/a, we noticed that the mesh behind the fender vents is black. The rest of the fender vent and surrounding area is body color. (Buccaneer red)
Is this how they came from the factory?
All my other cars are black, so I've never noticed this before. Almost looks like they added the mesh AFTER painting, meaning I do not see any obvious masked areas.

[johnta1]

Yes, they are a black,probably more flattish black.

[Trevor78]

Also true, the pre-blackened mesh was added after painting. The production line had painted and completed vents lined up ready to go to suit car being assembled, of which most was also already painted.

Here's photos of a NOS fender vent sold as a replacement spare part, albeit in light grey primer instead of finished paint including inside the vent housing. In this scenario they'd need to mask up the mesh, or respray, or simply ignore was fairly common too. Also note that the rear doesn't have any primer or overspray so that the mesh goo has a good fix onto the fender material. It also shows that the original mounting studs were also glued into place with a resin looking epoxy, not a tight threaded fit that can damage and distort over time.

There's a possibility that the vents could also have used an insert template for shops and dealers doing touch-ups and resprays a lot. Formula Hood vents had these on replacements as did something else that's escaped my memory at present.

NOS GM 70-81 Trans Am RH side fender extractor vent 480796 (2) by Ben, on Flickr

NOS GM 70-81 Trans Am RH side fender extractor vent 480796 (3) by Ben, on Flickr

[68tpls400]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Yes, they are a black,probably more flattish black.

Yes, they are a flat black.
Thanks!

[68tpls400]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Yes, they are a black,probably more flattish black.

Originally Posted by Trevor78

Also true, the pre-blackened mesh was added after painting. The production line had painted and completed vents lined up ready to go to suit car being assembled, of which most was also already painted.

Here's photos of a NOS fender vent sold as a replacement spare part, albeit in light grey primer instead of finished paint including inside the vent housing. In this scenario they'd need to mask up the mesh, or respray, or simply ignore was fairly common too. Also note that the rear doesn't have any primer or overspray so that the mesh goo has a good fix onto the fender material. It also shows that the original mounting studs were also glued into place with a resin looking epoxy, not a tight threaded fit that can damage and distort over time.

There's a possibility that the vents could also have used an insert template for shops and dealers doing touch-ups and resprays a lot. Formula Hood vents had these on replacements as did something else that's escaped my memory at present.

NOS GM 70-81 Trans Am RH side fender extractor vent 480796 (2) by Ben, on Flickr

NOS GM 70-81 Trans Am RH side fender extractor vent 480796 (3) by Ben, on Flickr

Yes, looks just like the ones on my car.
Thanks for the info and pictures.

[3tas4me]

'74 was the last year for the black mesh. After that, it was all painted body color. No doubt, this was done to save money. I like the contrast.

[68tpls400]

Originally Posted by 3tas4me

'74 was the last year for the black mesh. After that, it was all painted body color. No doubt, this was done to save money. I like the contrast.

That would be why I've never noticed on my '76 cars before.

[JUDGE3]

mines a 72 but i'm going to paint the whole thing body color. to much trouble to mask off for black and i prefer the whole thing body color anyway.