'72 Front sway color, black or gray?

[Charles K.]

I am redoing the front suspension on my '72. I want to refinish the front sway bar. It appears to have been finished in semi-gloss black from the factory. My '70-'72 Judging Manual (Circa 1985) Finish chart calls for the sway bar to be gray. I am not the original owner as the car was 2 years old when I purchased it, so the bar may have been repainted I suppose. What is the correct finish on a '72 L48 front sway bar? Thanks, Charles

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 Front sway color, black or gray?

Charles-----

Some of the front sway bars were painted semi-gloss black and some were natural, as-forged. As far as I know, NONE were painted gray. If yours looks like it was originally painted semi-gloss black, that's very likely how it was for your car and that's how I'd recommend that you restore it.

[Robert C.]

Re: semi-gloss black or natural, either one is OK *NM*

[Charles K.]

Re: semi-gloss black or natural, either one is OK

Thanks guys. Looks like the semi-gloss black was correct. It appears that the first edition of the Judging Manual was way off, as gray isn't even an option. Me thinks I had better order the latest edition of the JM pronto. Again thanks. Charles

[Joe L.]

Re: semi-gloss black or natural, either one is OK

Charles-----

I'd say it's safe to assume that the "knowledge base" regarding 70-72 Corvettes has expanded since 1985 and that "knowledge base" is likely reflected in later editions of the JG. I believe that a new edition of the 70-72 JG will be coming out "soon". However, if you're still using a 1985 edition, that "soon" might not be soon enough for you.