1971 Original Fiberglass color

[Sheldon S.]

I am trying to determine whether all the panels were Black fiberglass and how dark are they on the inside of the panel. I have seen pictures of the outside surface and they appear quite black but looking under my car the panels don't appear really dark except the inner skirt panels on the front. All info greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance Sheldon

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Original Fiberglass color

I know of one 1971 with a mix of light and dark factory glass. I'm afraid, unless you have an early or late car, there will be no simple answer.

[Jack H.]

Agree...

My '71 was mainly olive-grey in panel color and in the 2 or three places where the Rockwell labels could be seen (tire tub, upper center of front nose, above the front fender 'egg crate' louvers), the date codes (2-digit week code + year) were dead nuts on with the car's build date....

[Wayne W.]

Re: Agree...

`71 was in very much a state of flux and the panels vary all over. Some are old black type FRP, some greenish, and others are The more gray Gennite or the SMC type. The changes started with the genite doors in `69 and some time in 71 was the first use of SMC on the rear quarter panels. The switch over to SMC was complete by `74 when the rear deck panel was changed.

[Sheldon S.]

Re: Agree...

Thanks for the responses. After reading this i went back to the shop and took my sander out and sanded down on several spots on the car to see what the finish was on the fiberglass. I am just starting to do a frame off. I found the grey on both rear quarters, doors and on both front fenders down low but the hood surround is more of a whitish color. I beleive it has been changed and i thought the drivers side had been changed because it looks rough on the inside like HL but has the same greyish appearance as the rest. What is SMC that you refered too. Are there any date codes on the grey panels, and i take it the black ones may have some sort of paper tag on them with date codes. My car was built april 29/71. Would this make sense for it to have mostly all grey panels? I am now contemplating changing the whole front end. Are the PM replacements identical to original. I was thinking of buying one already assembled rather than trying to patch this one. any comments? Thanks Sheldon

[Warren F.]

Re: Agree...

Sheldon:

My original paint '71 has a build date of Apr 20, 1971, and has all grey panels.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Agree...

I would expect an April `71 to have mostly gray except for the rear upper deck or the hood surround.

[Warren F.]

Re: Agree...

Wayne:

My rear deck surround is gray glass, and you're right, my front surround looks to be the black fiberglass.