1963 front end finishes
Hello; I am restoring a 63 and would like to know what the finishes should be on the following parts. Front spindles, spindle arms, tie rod ends, tie rod sleeves and clamps, drag or center link. i do believe that all these parts were NATURAL finish when new and before Black out. Some guys use a clear coating , some cast blast, some stainless steel paint and some black. I know that the NCRS judges do not like to see paint on these parts, but I refuse to see rust forming on them in the future. Any ideas would be appreciated. Andy
-
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Andy,
I think you are correct that many of these parts are natural but it's my understanding they got a spritz of black paint so most is covered. On my car I used some Eastwoods detail gray, there cast paint and clear polyurethane on the springs because I can't stand rust and could not bear to cover up all my hard work with just black.
I did the same with the rear, painted all nice and pretty black then took it apart to restore to look like unpainted then saw the picture posted here a while ago showing 63/64 early 65 all blacked out.
Should I say it's a work in progress!
Comment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Andy, after looking at my old pictures of my 63 and 64, reading all the archives I would lean on painting most of the front end components with a low grade 'chassis' type paint as supplied by each mfr source. Only the springs, a arm attaching bolts, idler arm bolts, steering box bolts, sway bar bolts etc. which are installed at St. Louis would be exempt from the dreaded black paint. Rear end was also extensively sprayed. Then, a final 'walk around' blackout was shot prior to body drop. Not as 'pretty' as the 'natural' finishes but closer to what actually came out the door 'back in the day'. That said, it is nice to preserve the real finishes for historical reasons and take a small 'hit'!
Dan1964 Red FI Coupe, DUNTOV '09
Drove the 64 over 5000 miles to three Regionals and the San Jose National, one dust storm and 40 lbs of bugs!Comment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
It has been said long ago here on the DB that a child could infact correctly apply the finishes to a 63 chassis. When in doubt make it black. Leave the springs-all of them- bare though Andy. Look in the archives for sure. Stay away from the clear coating and cast blast as if you do expect a ding.
The 63 chassis detailing is highly controversial. I doubt no matter how you do it you will get it to the point that all will be pleased. JDComment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Andy
My front springs are painted black and I have been dinged for them at 2 Regionals. Happy 4tH!63 FI SWC, Top Flight 2006/2008, PV 2007
69 Coupe, 427, 400HP w/AC
72 LT1 Targa Blue Convertible - Duntov Award
07 Z06, Black/Black - Daily DriverComment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Nick, springs and attaching hardware were supplied without the chassis paint to the assembly line. A arms are painted except the ball joints which were installed at St Louis. There are several pictures of new 63 and 64 undercarriages in Nolands book, the black is very obvious, only the attaching hardware is still raw. The final walk around was done after the chassis was right side up, they 'blacked out' the mufflers and front sway bar then. They even hit the top of my 64 brakelines with the cheapo chassis paint. It will dissolve in gasoline and didn't last long on the cars. I washed it off my 63 A arms to bare metal back in the 80's. Springs might have got a random shot but should be mostly 'bare'. Like JD said, front and rear springs were delivered unpainted. More factory chassis shots will really help defining this area.
Dan1964 Red FI Coupe, DUNTOV '09
Drove the 64 over 5000 miles to three Regionals and the San Jose National, one dust storm and 40 lbs of bugs!Comment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Nick, I guess it would be a real job to remove the springs now and strip them. But worth it. Strip them and put war paint on them then and save a couple of dings. Rear spring should be bare also on your 63.
Ding you loose any points for having your horns on backwards??? The LWC did. Take care, JD.Comment
-
Re: 1963 front end finishes
Hello Dan; I agree 100% with the way you say the front end and rear ends were painted on a 63. I hate to do what the factory did as it was down right ugly. I know that many of the parts were raw metal as any parts that had threads or bearing surfaces were never painted prior to assembly. So the question is, do I restore my car as it would be PRE black out or post black out.......Time will tell if I want to loose some points? Thanks for the input...AndyComment
Comment