C1 Cover Plate Blackout for Steering Column

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

Question on blackout for the sheet metal cover plate on the firewall that goes over the steering column hole. The glass behind mine on my 1960 was bare, yet the plate itself did not seem to show blackout, nor did the screws attaching it, nor did the putty around the edges. So, was it or was it not on during blackout?

Thanks,

Bob

[Dennis C.]

Bob, Here's a Weasel Word Answer...

...I'm guessing that this piece of sheet metal was stamped, dip painted black and then installed - most likely before black out - which would explain the bare fiberglass under it. The steering shaft, I believe, was installed before blackout - and, if I have that right, the plate you speak of would have been installed at that point. I'm sticking my neck out here, but seemed like there where no other players willing to chime in. Bottom line - all of the plates I've seen were painted black. Or, to take a different approach, I'm pretty sure they weren't unpainted. And they weren't painted body or interior color... And, I've never seen an unpainted item, but there are lots of things I haven't seen...Best, Dennis

[John H.]

Re: Bob, Here's a Weasel Word Answer...

The C1 steering gear/column assembly was installed after blackout, on the Trim Line, although it appears (from bare glass under it) that the engine-side cover plate was in place during blackout.