Way back in the 1980's Eric Gill and I created a company, Z06 Productions, Inc. At the time I was restoring my 1963 Z06 that I had owned from new. I was not happy with a lot of replacement parts available from my Chevy dealer as not being the same as the original parts either in looks or in material. Our first item was the exhaust manifold French locks, which were made by company in NJ. Trebor Metal Stamping who I found while driving to a site for my Engineering Company. I saw a sign that had a large Mustang logo. I stopped in and met Robert (hence the name of the company which is Robert spelled backwards) I brought in one of my original French locks and asked if he could make me some. He agreed to make them only if I purchased a thousand. This let to making hoses, ink stamps, fan belts along with other items. One of those items was what everyone calls Chassis Paint which in fact was not paint at all. After much research Eric found the company that made the original coating, a very thin asphalt. The company was still in business, so we got in contact with their sales department. When we inquired about purchasing some of the product we were told the smallest amount we could buy was a railway tank car load. That was beyond anything we could handle plus we wanted to be sure it was the correct material. We then asked if we could have a sample and the agree. Next thing you know a 55 gallon sample of the asphalt shows up at my office. Turns out that if you dilute asphalt with mineral spirts is was exactly the same as original. Attached is a copy of the label we created for one gallon cans of the product that we sold.

 

Have a spec saved somewhere on just what the asphalt was, a proper name however bet it was an asphalt blend.
A past comment from John Hinckley on 11/28/08 "that gooey/sticky "chassis black" paint (originally P/N 3686683, "Underbody Protective Coating")"
Do you have an knowledge of it's use on the rear suspension?
Now since this stuff was thinned asphalt, sprayed on rear end housing, and the rear end gets warm would think the stuff would be gone in short from housing
in short order as opposed to half shafts that would be cooler. ? comments ? Not stating facts here just an idea.

 

I believe the asphalt coating was RC8 but I could be wrong. It was sprayed on the chassis just after they were manufactured and on the assembly line. That was probably just for the early cars. I do not recall any on my 1963 Z06 which I purchased new 1962 but only took delivery in June 1963, built the fourth week of May.

 

I still have my french locks I bought from your company when they were first offered. That was the days of print ads and postal delivery. No internet. Bob,Akron,OH

 

Think they sold for $8 per set? I sold my share to Eric years ago and subsequently sold out to one of the major parts vendors, I think Corvette Central.

 

Great story on the chassis black. There was a place near me long ago that sold bolts,nuts and washers. They could get anything you needed but you had to buy in bulk.