Colored Fuses?

[L. Taylor (#16468)]

Was there ever a definite decision on if there were original color banded fuses or not?

[Joe L.]

Re: Colored Fuses?

L.Taylor------

I don't know if there was any "definite decision" regarding color-banded fuses. I can tell you this, though: for my original owner 1969 some of the fuses were "color-banded" and some were not. The 10 amp "radio" and 10 amp "gauges" fuses have a red band on one end. These are the original fuses installed in my car; they have never been changed. Other fuses may also have been "color-banded" but some of those have been changed.

[Tom B.]

Re: Colored Fuses?

I've found the red banded 10 amp before, as well as the white banded 25 amp. The bands are "internal" to the glass. TBarr #24014

[Gary S.]

Re: Colored Fuses?

Long Island sells a fuse kit with colored fuses. Also, my 67 coupe I bought last October still has original color banded fuses. I haven't studied them closely yet, but I know I saw a red banded one as a minimum. I have a 10K mile 67 435 coupe in my garage that belongs to a friend (orig owner) not driven since 1974. That probably has all its original fuses. Send me an email and let me know if you want me to give details. Gary

[Gene M.]

Re: Yes...Colored Fuses

I found exactly the same color and amp combos as Tom. Both were internal side of the glass. Others must have been replaced ...no colors.

[Robert C.]

Re: Yes...Colored Fuses

The colored fuses were used in assembly so the installer could quickly and acurately get the right fuse in the right place. The fuses are judged in the NCRS. Bob

[Dave S.]

Re: Yes...Colored Fuses

Both my 70 and 71 are one owner low mileage cars and in both all the 25 Amp fuses are white and all the 10 Amp fuses are red. ( Color is internal and done for the reason Bob Cook states ) Others are clear( 5 Amp )and were so when car was built. Like the red and white the lack of a color( clear ) helped the UAW worker who installed fuses. I believe the mid years had colors in addition to red and white.

[Terry M.]

Re: Colored Fuses?

Well guys I was holding out on you. This is the subject of a story that is being researched for publication now, but it is a ways from the magazine. There was a less detailed story in the Restorer a while back, but another is under way with some factory documentation.

Colored fuses started in 1967. I don't have the exact time at my finger tips, but 1967 model year Corvettes would be the first for color fuses. I'm not sure if the whole year got them, or it began with SOP (Start Of Production).

And Dave Strictland has the Corvette colors right, but there were other colors for other values used in other GM cars.

Terry

[L. Taylor (#16468)]

Re: Well...Are Judges Looking For Them Or Not?

My question was originally in regards to my early 63' car. Are the judges knocking points if they're not there, or on the flip side, deducting if they are there and they shouldn't be?

[Robert C.]

Re: Well...Are Judges Looking For Them Or Not?

L., Not for 63's. They will look at your fuse pannel; " gloss black phenolic fuse pannel located on the firewall just above the dimmer switch. It has 6 fuses on the left side and terminals for accessories on the right." Thats it! Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: Well...Are Judges Looking For Them Or Not?

L.,

If I knew what '63 judges are looking for I would have told you. Those cars are about 5 to 9 years too old for me.

I made it as plane as I could that they should NOT be looking for colored fuses, but I am in no position to tell folks judging 1963 Corvettes what to look for.

Terry

[Pete Lindahl]

Re: Colored Fuses?

Guys and gals - The used of color coded fuses in Corvettes was introduced at the beginning of the 1967 model year. Color coded fuses came from basically two suppliers, LittleFuse (Chicago, IL area) and Buss Electric (St. Louis, MO area) One provided fused with the color band internally at one end and the other used a colored dot. Others responders have mentioned the appropriate color codes, but don't forget the clear one in this scheme is also an indicator of the fuse amperage size. It isn't rocket science and color coding has had and continues to have a number of applications especially in cases where the various items look indentical externally (like fuses,turn signal flasher, etc.) but specific applications call for a specified size or capacity. Also, assembly line workers don't have to remember part numbers, just like the broadcast code scheme. One problem with color coding is the majority of the assembly line workers were men and colored blindness is generally a "guy" thing. BTW, the Corvette plant workers did not install the colored in the 1967 and later fuse blocks. They did install them prior to 1967. Watch your Restorer for more info as Terry said.