Wow, is this really true??
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (SharkAttack)
From 70-76 the body lines on sharks were so agressive that the factory didnt want to put more time into making a "black" car look right. as you all know the front end is constructed of 3 (sometimes 4 depending on the year) separate pieces that were glued on. that required a lot of sanding for the factory. less time spent on body work meant more production #s.
and the darker the color, the longer it takes to get "right" :thumbs:
and the darker the color, the longer it takes to get "right" :thumbs:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 839
From: PA
Re: Wow, is this really true??
Very interesting Stan. BTW, what are you using to move your frame around with in that picture? I need one of those. Did you buy it or fabricate it yourself?
The frame dolly in the photo is home built... Not much to it actually. It makes moving the disassembled frame around quite easy and is helpful in raising the the frame to a comfortable level for assembly work. It also disassembles quickly for storage when not in use. About the only drawback that I have seen to this point is that the installation of the rear spring currently requires some extra hands and additional weight to compress the spring... I am working on a fixture to correct this shortcoming.
I fully intend to post plans of this frame dolly, my revised body dolly, and body lift device when I can devote a few dedicated hours to sitting down and drawing the plans up. Quite a few people have inquired about plans and I fully intend to make good on my promise to provide them... Things are quite busy for me at present so it has taken much longer than expected.
Regards,
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (thrills)
Yes it is.
In fact in 1969 Black was the least popular color (I thnk less than 800 cars) so it was dropped the following year.
In fact in 1969 Black was the least popular color (I thnk less than 800 cars) so it was dropped the following year.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 1
From: Harrison Township, Mi
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (6t9l4t6)
Wow, that's amazing. I think a black, chrome bumper shark, with sidepipes is one of the baddest looking car's ever. It's very close behind a 65 big-block Vette, similarly equipped.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (thrills)
That's amazing, I thought black, white, red, and sky blue (okay, maybe not) were default colors every car line had (with exceptions). Not having black would seem to be a big :nono:
Almost as bad as not having sky blue. Okay, I'll stop. :)
Almost as bad as not having sky blue. Okay, I'll stop. :)
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: Wow, is this really true??
This is interesting. Per the "Corvette Black Book"
1963 - #'s not avail
1964 - Black 1,897 - second lowest to Saddle Tan (1,765)
1965 - Black 1,191 - lowest
1966 - Black 1,090 - lowest
1967 - Black 815 - lowest
1968 - Black 708 - lowest
1969 - #'s not avail
Yep, I can see why they dropped Black in '70.
tom...
1963 - #'s not avail
1964 - Black 1,897 - second lowest to Saddle Tan (1,765)
1965 - Black 1,191 - lowest
1966 - Black 1,090 - lowest
1967 - Black 815 - lowest
1968 - Black 708 - lowest
1969 - #'s not avail
Yep, I can see why they dropped Black in '70.
tom...
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (thrills)
A black shark story:
When I entered my '75 convertible in Bloomington Gold's "Survivor" judging in 1995 (and got it, BTW), a '75 black coupe was parked two cars down from me. It was a real low-mileage original two-owner Corvette. The owner told me the original owner had ordered it in primer and had the dealer paint it black. Hence, it had that SPEC designation on its trim tag. Believe it or not, the Survivor judges would not grant that car "survivor" status. They said it HAD to be shown IN PRIMER (ack!)! The owner was fairly ticked off, since he had every piece of documentation for the car, plus the fact that it's rather pricey to enter the Bloomington Gold events only to have your car turned down. I believe he sold that car sometime after that show.
My experience there, on the other hand, was nothing short of terrific! Actually entering Bloomington Gold is a fantastic experience.
When I entered my '75 convertible in Bloomington Gold's "Survivor" judging in 1995 (and got it, BTW), a '75 black coupe was parked two cars down from me. It was a real low-mileage original two-owner Corvette. The owner told me the original owner had ordered it in primer and had the dealer paint it black. Hence, it had that SPEC designation on its trim tag. Believe it or not, the Survivor judges would not grant that car "survivor" status. They said it HAD to be shown IN PRIMER (ack!)! The owner was fairly ticked off, since he had every piece of documentation for the car, plus the fact that it's rather pricey to enter the Bloomington Gold events only to have your car turned down. I believe he sold that car sometime after that show.
My experience there, on the other hand, was nothing short of terrific! Actually entering Bloomington Gold is a fantastic experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (thrills)
I think I read something a while back that stated there were two reasons:
1. EPA was requiring changes in the paint from lacquer to more environmentally friendly paints.
2. It was nearly impossible to get the flexible bumper color to match in some colors.
1. EPA was requiring changes in the paint from lacquer to more environmentally friendly paints.
2. It was nearly impossible to get the flexible bumper color to match in some colors.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (flynhi)
2. It was nearly impossible to get the flexible bumper color to match in some colors.[/QUOTE]
That would explain 1973-76 but not 1970-72.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (flynhi)
1. EPA was requiring changes in the paint from lacquer to more environmentally friendly paints.
tom...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (thrills)
:seeya Jen
I think one of the most attractive colors on an early shark is black and that's why I painted mine that color. I think the curves of the body are just accentuated by it. A career to take care of but worth it.
I think one of the most attractive colors on an early shark is black and that's why I painted mine that color. I think the curves of the body are just accentuated by it. A career to take care of but worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Wow, is this really true?? (vettfixr)
Hi Jen! :seeya
I believe it! Of course Vettefixr, your shark body is probably absolutely perfect and had many hours of getting it that way too. :D I can't imagine how a black car would have looked out of the factory complete with less than stellar construction techniques and sloppy glue jobs these babies got back in their day. :lol:
I think the curves of the body are just accentuated by it. A career to take care of but worth it.
