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Hi,
These are close-ups of covers bought over the counter in 1971.
I call it dark metallic gray. It's almost 'grainy' to the touch.
10281Z is surprisingly close.
Regards,
Alan
This rally wheel center cap is what it would like if it had been done with semi-flat black. The arrows are pointing out the result of using a mask. Taping can't duplicate this 'fade'.
Thanks Alan though I'm confused?? As I look at the top photos my eyes are telling my mind that the dark gray appears to be sitting on the top edge of the fins similar to a mask . . Help me out.. LOL LOL
Hi Pete,
The cover is turned at an angle so the paint would show it's true color.
You're actually seeing the bottom side of each chrome 'fin'.
Maybe this will give you a better perspective. It's the rear end of the center casting.
There are 3 sides of each fin that show chrome.
Regards,
Alan
Hi P.E,
The black does look good.
I was posting in response to the question as to what the finish was originally, not what looks good…. although I do like the dark gray better.
Regards,
Alan
I think I'm going to repaint mine gray. Now the million dollar question. What color is the fiberglass insulator; specifically where it mounts to the chassis? Black?
Hi Pete,
I'm assuming you mean where the insulator mounts to the body.
Good Question!!!!
I believe it's blackish fiberglass. You can see the 'strands' in it.
It MIGHT of had a VERY THIN coat of semi-flat black on it.
These pics are the best I have of a Bowtie side exhaust car.The question is was the insulator EVER painted (even thinly)? I think some people would call this gray, not black.
If someone had an untouched shield and insulator, and if they took the shields off, what that revealed might be an answer.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks Alan, I would call it gray. Even tough I painted mine you can still see the glass strands.
Regarding your 1st Bowtie photouring the installation on my 70 I can remember having to remove a small piece of fiberglass in order for the front chrome to fit. The Bowtie photo appears to be very crudely hand cut; was this the case? Was it just a unique quarter panel and cut the front fender for the 69's?
Hi Pete,
The modification to the fender was typically quite roughly done.
There were some guidelines for what was to be cut contained in the option sheets for side exhaust.
You really can't see it while you walk around the car. If Chevrolet had been concerned about what you saw if you crouched down they certainly would have had used more paint on the car from about the buyer's knees on down.
Regards,
Alan
Paragon makes a very nice GM reproduction. They spent a lot of time getting it right .
I have spoken with the owner . He is not the type of person to invest time and effort to get something so expensive right and then PAINT it the totally wrong color.
The 69 side covers are not the same paint as the Corvette Chevrolet rallye wheel cover covers which do have flattish Black color applied . It would too much accent . The gray softens the appearance .