'71 Shock Absorber Color (Black?)

[Randy O.]

The '70-'72 Judging Manual states that shock absorbers for '71 came in a Grayish-Blue color and that hues may vary. Granted, Black is quite an extreme hue variation from Grayish-Blue, however, a source I deem very reliable has advised me that GM did deliver Corvettes in '71 with Black shocks as well. Can anyone else attest to this? I want to know if this will result in a penalty on the judging field.

While we're on the subject, was the rear leaf spring ever delivered in any other color then light primer gray? (This latter question stems from my own curiosity).

Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Randy

[Joe L.]

Re: '71 Shock Absorber Color (Black?)

Randy-----

I've never heard of 71s having been originally fitted with black-painted shock absorbers. I thought that during that period, the grayish blue was pretty standard across the whole GM Delco OEM shock line. Corvettes did go back to black painted shocks sometime during the C3 production run, but I've forgotten the exact year. In any event, if you have some evidence of your car having been originally fitted with shocks that were painted black (i.e. the worn out, original shocks with the original part number and appropriate dates which appear to have been originally painted black), that might be very good proof that yours were originally black. Otherwise, why would you want to challenge the judging standards by assuming that your car was the exception, if there were even any exceptions, rather than the rule?

As far as the rear spring goes, original springs may have had the leave edges painted with the gray Ikonoklad paint or they may have been bare steel (rust). I've never seen any KNOWN ORIGINAL 63-72 leaf spring that was otherwise finished.

[Randy O.]

Thanks Joe! * No Message * *NM*

[Robert C.]

Re: Never seen a 71 original black shock! *NM*