C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

[David K.]

Hi guys; Just took delivery of a set of restored/dated (253-64) Delco standard shocks for my 65'. Please find attached a couple of photos in different light conditions. The shade of gray looks a "little dark" to me, based on judged cars I have seen at past events. Would anyone know if this darker shade of gray is factory correct for 1965 early production? Thanks in advance.

[Enzo C.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

David, who restored the shocks for you ?? I have Dan Patch doing mine at present

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

IMHO the first picture looks fairly close but the second looks WAY too dark.

[David K.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Hi Enzo;

I got mine today from Dan Patch. He did a superb job on them. I'm very happy with the product. The second photo is a bit too dark.....hence, the first shot is more precise in color representation. I spoke to Dan today and he confirmed that his paint recipe is exactly as per OEM. I'm installing them on the car next month, however, I wanted to have feedback on this shade of gray, because a couple of people have confirmed that the current offering in spray cans is actually a bit too light.

[Enzo C.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

David,I have friends who have Dans shocks and all have past flight judging... The shocks do look different after installation mind you, thanks

[David K.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Excellent; Thanks Enzo. Cannot wait to get them on the car. My 65 was restored in 1981-83, and it had F41 heavy duty shocks installed on all four corners. My understanding is that they were bought over the counter from GM at the time....not sure though. I'm sure the ride will be smoother with the standard units installed. My rear spring is original (9 leaf standard).

[Loren L.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

The true color is a bluish-gray which is NOT what most current vendors are selling; '63 folks can stick with black.

[Paul O.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Here is a photo from a Bowtie car it is a C3 but color should be the same or very close.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

David -- here's the original (regular susp.) shocks off early '65 014xx. Fronts both dated 160-64 and rears both dated 208-64. You can see the blue/gray that Loren mentions; no fifty shades here ! I put them beside the original rear springs for a colour comparison.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Here is a photo from a Bowtie car it is a C3 but color should be the same or very close.

Paul------


This looks like a J-56 shock. If so, they were painted a different color than standard shocks. The color was mostly gray with very little blue in it. Why was the color different? I have no idea. They may have been produced in a different Delco plant which used a different paint supplier.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

This is an NOS shock. It's never been installed on a car so it shouldn't have suffered too much from weather deterioration. It's not a Corvette shock but it does have a 1970 date. The color of this shock is VERY, VERY close to the shock paint supplied by Quanta. I don't think that any judge would be able to discern the difference.



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[Gary S.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

For what it is worth: Am restoring my 67 and have original STD shocks. Orig Vs Quanta shock paint.
PaintColorComparisonShocks.jpg

[Bill W.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

I used quanta paint & it matched an original pair of C3 shocks I had .

[Loren L.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Congrats to Quanta - They got it right. Now change the label on the box.

[Paul O.]

Re: C2 Shock Color - Correct Gray

Photo of a 1972 standard shock original. Joe is correct HD shock shade was different.