Checkered Flag Emblems...What's correct?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Checkered Flag Emblems...What's correct?
I'm in the process of having my 69 repainted, so I took the hood emblem and the gas door emblem home with me to repaint them. I found a nice dark red in Testors enamel for the red flag but I noticed that the color of the white on each of them was different and in a different order. On the hood emblem the white was more of a creamy color with the upper left hand corner check in black. On the gas door emblem the white was sort of a dingy light gray with the upper left hand corner check in white. I suspect the gas door emblem may be an after market piece. Which pattern of checks is correct for a 69? I repainted the gas door emblem to a gloss white (which is different from either of my two emblems) but the hood emblem looked in good enough condition to leave the checkerboard alone. Which shade of white is really correct for a 69?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
i can check tonight for sure
but I am pretty sure that the flag's upper left corner should be white. The originals from the factory were like that and most of the aftermarket replacement's have the upper left corner black. If no one gives a definate answer I will check the books when I get home.
HTH,
Sully
HTH,
Sully
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
This is probably worth absolutely nothing as mine a 79,but on mine the Testors black and white were dead on, but the red was not right. The emblems were almost maroon where the red is, and I used Testors red, and it was not a match (but I did like it).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
You might want to check the books.
In 1978, it came from the factory reversed on the side emblems . Early 78 emblems had a white square in the upper right position of the checkered flag, later 78's had a black square in this position. So it might not be a replacement but how it originally was delivered.
In 1978, it came from the factory reversed on the side emblems . Early 78 emblems had a white square in the upper right position of the checkered flag, later 78's had a black square in this position. So it might not be a replacement but how it originally was delivered.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Testors makes a lot of different reds. Wal-Mart is not a good sample of their paint line. A local hobby shop or a big store like Hobby Lobby has a better line of paints.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
hth,
Sully
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Dumont New Jersey
I'm in the process of having my 69 repainted, so I took the hood emblem and the gas door emblem home with me to repaint them. I found a nice dark red in Testors enamel for the red flag but I noticed that the color of the white on each of them was different and in a different order. On the hood emblem the white was more of a creamy color with the upper left hand corner check in black. On the gas door emblem the white was sort of a dingy light gray with the upper left hand corner check in white. I suspect the gas door emblem may be an after market piece. Which pattern of checks is correct for a 69? I repainted the gas door emblem to a gloss white (which is different from either of my two emblems) but the hood emblem looked in good enough condition to leave the checkerboard alone. Which shade of white is really correct for a 69?
NOT repros, but NOS.
They are out there I am sure...
Just make sure you are getting the real deal.
Sure the real ones will not be $24.99 like all the repos on ebay, but will make a better presentation.
I also suggest that you keep the 2 from the car and restore em, but use em on something else.
Maybe a key hanger for your VETTE Key or on a dashboard plaque holder if you go to shows.
Just my view.
NOT saying you cant do a better job than the factory, cause people's determination, talents and eye for details amaze me on this site.
I am sure there is SOMEONE who has restored them better than new on this board...
I tried doing one on my 71 and it looked like crap no matter how hard I tried.
Ended up with a replacemet Gas emblem.
Oh Well..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Hey man you are right... both of mine aren't "correct" and I did not pay the big bucks for the perfect show paint nor the NOS emblems either... but then again... those guys that paid $12,000 for the perfect paint and then place the emblems on there without any sort of backing blows my mind too. I don't care and am not going to check out someone's emblem and say, " white checker in upper left corner of the flag, no no, you suck!" ha ha... I love both of my vettes and so what if everything isn't perfect and original...and I drive the hell outta them too!
Sully
Sully
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Dumont New Jersey
Hey man you are right... both of mine aren't "correct" and I did not pay the big bucks for the perfect show paint nor the NOS emblems either... but then again... those guys that paid $12,000 for the perfect paint and then place the emblems on there without any sort of backing blows my mind too. I don't care and am not going to check out someone's emblem and say, " white checker in upper left corner of the flag, no no, you suck!" ha ha... I love both of my vettes and so what if everything isn't perfect and original...and I drive the hell outta them too!
Sully
Sully
Was just saying sometimes itc more of a time saver to just buy new, and they may look better.
Its not like the emblems are dated or stamped with your vin numbers.
If I would have known that the hot air ducts only cost $5.00 I would have bought all new the first time around....
NO!!! I have to scrape away the old painted layers, repaint them and still they looked like crap.
I had 2 real bad ones and HAD to replace em, so I figured I was gonna be out $30 each or something. NOPE- $5 BUCKS!
Woulda dropped the $50 for the 10 new ones ina heart beat.
OH WELL- I learned a huge lesson for the new house I had bought a year back.
