Topic: 65 Grill Color & Related Details

[ranger482v]

What is the correct color of black paint on the 65 grill?

Thanks,

John

[carlite65]

the '65 grill is gunmetal blue. the brackets behind it are semi gloss black as well as the mounting tabs on the top ends.

[C5ZZKGT]

It is my understanding that "gun metal blue" is the color, I also understand that the reproductions are not a correct shade and that the correct shade is a bit hard to come by on the street........my restorer seemed to have the right specs to get the correct shade made and repainted my grille right out of the box.

[buckeyeresto]

Ford used three different shades of blue used thru out 65

[CharlesTurner]

Ford used three different shades of blue used thru out 65

Hey, something we can agree on!

[C5ZZKGT]

OK, How would one know which shade would have been used on a particular car? build date? plant? GT or not?

[C5ZZKGT]

OK, How would one know which shade would have been used on a particular car? build date? plant? GT or not?

Charles??  Nate??

[65pon]

Hi All,

I wanted to ask if there are any markings or construction methods that can be used to determine if a '65 grille is an original or a repop?
Any date codes?
May '65 Dearborn if it makes any difference.

THANKS!

[65pon]

Anybody?

[CharlesTurner]

The only identifying marks you may find on an original grille would be a black date ink-stamp.  This would typically be on either of the sides on the vertical flat spot.

Original grilles were assembled with the small top tubular rivets, these are usually black or natural.  Ford serviced a '65 grille that had large stand-up rivets which do not match the assembly line style.  For whatever reason, folks over the years assumed this was correct.  The top end tabs and vertical supports were black and then installed with the rivets.  The grille color should be a bluish gray, with variance through the production year.  Some very early 64.5 cars may have had more of a silver grille color.

[rodster]

I'm guessing these are the rivets you are talking about? 

The grille on my 65 Dearborn car has different rivets on the end tabs.  Are the 'flat' ones the correct assembly line style?




These are the rivets on the passenger side.

[jwc66k]

The rivets should be semi-tubular, not pop-rivets. Is there a consensus on black or natural with respect to plant or build date?
Jim

[rodster]

Thanks for the info.  Guess somewhere in the past a repair was made....

[mgmradio]

It is my belief that they were originally black. The coating tends to be thin and wear/ corrode off in time.

[DKutz]

SO when I restored my car, I tried to use the correct color for the Grille, I knew at least it was blue and not Black.  I ordered the correct Blue from CJ pony Parts ( I think)  My grille is pretty light blue.  I just saw a fastback this weekend very nice resto, and the grille was a very dark blue.  Does anyone have a picture of the correct color?

D