Fiberglass color
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Fiberglass color
You all know that my '65 project isn't entirely stock, either now or in it's past lives. I know the front ahead of the wheel wells was replaced (it's a one-piece unit with no headlight openings at present), but I am wondering if the rest of the left fender was replaced somtime too.
When cutting the old fender opening out to complete the move of the wheel openings forward I found that although the "inside" surface of the fender panel is black/dark gray like the factory manuals list, the interior of the 'glass itself is red (Julie says it's pink). For this fender at least, the resin used was red, and only the interior face got a black tint. Is the original glass "colored" all the way through, or only on the inside surface? This is according to the trim tag an AO SMith body car.
-Greg
When cutting the old fender opening out to complete the move of the wheel openings forward I found that although the "inside" surface of the fender panel is black/dark gray like the factory manuals list, the interior of the 'glass itself is red (Julie says it's pink). For this fender at least, the resin used was red, and only the interior face got a black tint. Is the original glass "colored" all the way through, or only on the inside surface? This is according to the trim tag an AO SMith body car.
-Greg
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Re: Fiberglass color (GregP)
I dunno, Greg. You're beginning to ask some pretty interesting archelogical questions, and you're starting to use real restoration techniques like those aluminum rivets in your header bar!...Are you SURE you're not coming over from the "Dark Side"? :D :D
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Re: Fiberglass color (Chuck Sangerhausen)
Guess I've been around the NCRS too much lately, may have to go to the custom car show this weekend in Baltimore to get clensed :). Since I spent yesterday moving the front wheel openings from the original location to where they "should have been" I'm probably safe from being classed as a "purest" for at least a little while. :crazy:
For even more obscure trivia, did you know that the reinforcment plate inside the front air box pillers for the #2 body mount rivets is yellow G-10 sheet, just like I buy from McMaster-Carr for all my filler plates? I think Julie even has a photo of them somewhere (they can only be seen if the air vent assemblies are removed).
-Greg
For even more obscure trivia, did you know that the reinforcment plate inside the front air box pillers for the #2 body mount rivets is yellow G-10 sheet, just like I buy from McMaster-Carr for all my filler plates? I think Julie even has a photo of them somewhere (they can only be seen if the air vent assemblies are removed).
-Greg
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Hernando Beach Fl
Re: Fiberglass color (GregP)
Hi Greg:
I am not at all certain regarding A O Smith cars but thought all 63 - 66 were TAN / Yellow glass through and through.
Gray / black having started in 67 ????
jer
I am not at all certain regarding A O Smith cars but thought all 63 - 66 were TAN / Yellow glass through and through.
Gray / black having started in 67 ????
jer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Re: Fiberglass color (GregP)
Jer -
I don't "think" that the body shell is a '67 (but who really knows). If you look at this pick you can see the inside color of the right fender, which matches the cowl and air boxes. The 'glass on the cowl/air boxes is gray/white inside, but I haven't cut open any other exterior body panels to check their interior. Have to see what turns up when I cut the right front fender this week to "fix" it.
[Modified by GregP, 12:46 PM 1/22/2002]
I don't "think" that the body shell is a '67 (but who really knows). If you look at this pick you can see the inside color of the right fender, which matches the cowl and air boxes. The 'glass on the cowl/air boxes is gray/white inside, but I haven't cut open any other exterior body panels to check their interior. Have to see what turns up when I cut the right front fender this week to "fix" it.
[Modified by GregP, 12:46 PM 1/22/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Fiberglass color (GregP)
Early 65s until near mid production were tan, commonly termed white glass, then they changed over to light gray. No black for 65 except for certain items like the spare tire tub, or radiator shroud.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Re: Fiberglass color (wombvette)
I cut the right fron fender last night and started the splice for the new wheel openings. Once I got through the roughly 3/16" of bondo on that side the actuall glass appears to be a cream color, which would go along with what whombvette said for an early 65 vintage. The cowl support panels are definatly more "gray" than the right front fender.
Wonder if this car was close to the transition, with the front panels cream colored and the main shell and aft parts gray?
-Greg
[Modified by GregP, 9:27 AM 1/24/2002]
Wonder if this car was close to the transition, with the front panels cream colored and the main shell and aft parts gray?
-Greg
[Modified by GregP, 9:27 AM 1/24/2002]
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Re: Fiberglass color (GregP)
Gray panels were used a lot earlier than some of you guys think. My March '63 production SWC is a combination of both gray and tan panels. I figure they must have come from different vendors.
Duke
Duke
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Fiberglass color (SWCDuke)
That is correct the 63 started out with white(tan) and graduated to gray, the 64 being primarily gray. But in 65 for some reason the color was again white in the early production. Remember when we say that they changed to gray during the year it doesnt mean that it all occured at once. The changeover took a long time and the colors will be mixed up on any one body. Also when we say gray, we mean many shades of gray from light to dark also mixed up on any one body. If you ever strip a complete body it rarely will all be the same color or shade.
