1969 Side Shaft paint color

[Andrew Meikle]

I am trying to find out what color the side shafts were painted by the factory on a 69 corvette, and the universal section at the axil end.
Thanks!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Side Shaft paint color

Andrew-----

If, by "side shafts", you are referring to what is more commonly known as half shafts (the drive shafts that connect the differential to rear wheel spindles with u-joints on either end), these were not originally painted on any Corvette application. They were natural extruded steel finish.

If, by "universal section", you are referring to the differential case (the cast iron "pumpkin" to which the drive shaft and half shafts "attach"), this component was natural cast iron on all 1963-79 Corvettes. No paint was originally applied.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1969 Side Shaft paint color

Not exactly the case for 63-64. The 65 MY was the first that completely deleted the blackout process for the rear suspension/drive assy. Nearly the entire diff center section was black on 63-64. Most of the entire rear susp/drive was chassis black when it came up out of the basement at the St Louis plant.

For 65 and later, the only black that typically appears on the diff and half shafts is over spray from the muffler blackout.

[Andrew Meikle]

Re: 1969 Side Shaft paint color

Thanks for the response, If I leave them un-painted they will rust. So for an ncrs restoration, should I clear coat the half shafts, or just paint them black.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1969 Side Shaft paint color

Andrew,

As Joe Lucia mentioned, the correct finish for your car would have been nearly completely unpainted. The black coating I described above would only be correct for the 63-64 cars.

Others may have better methods but I recall many posters mentioning the use of some sort of satin clear coat that wouldn't have the "clear coat" look.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1969 Side Shaft paint color

Any coating that is detectable during judging will result in a deduction, so you will have to choose your poison well.