Topic: Metuchen Ext. Primer Color ?

[Brian Conway]

     For an early 69, 9/19/68, car the exterior paint primer was what color ? 
Thanks,  Brian

[J_Speegle]

What I've consistently seen at all plants during the classic period was red oxide followed by a grey primer surfacer to fill the small voids and flaws over it on sheet metal parts. Depending on the painter, year and plant the areas covered (into the trunk for example as well as low on the rockers or rear wheelwells) appears to be one of the differences.

[bryancobb]

Jeff,

How do you define "The Classic Period?"  Is that 1964 through 1972?

[J_Speegle]

Jeff,

How do you define "The Classic Period?"  Is that 1964 through 1972?

64-73  though in regards to primer color - only checked my statement above up through 71 at present

[Brian Conway]

     Thank you Jeff.  I had the rear fender extensions off the other day and saw the primer.  Red oxide primer is what I had heard was the original assembly line color and what I expected to see.  Another not seen before curiosity was these small letter/number codes for the rear taillight panel.  Actually I don't know what that piece is called ?  Brian

[J_Speegle]

     Thank you Jeff.  I had the rear fender extensions off the other day and saw the primer.  Red oxide primer is what I had heard was the original assembly line color and what I expected to see.  Another not seen before curiosity was these small letter/number codes for the rear taillight panel.  Actually I don't know what that piece is called ?  Brian

Appears that sometimes not allot of gray was applied everywhere and other times a light coat over the red oxide produced an odd pinkish final look

You'll (or should) find the same light grey primer as the top coat, if you remove your rear valance, along the bottom 3/8" or so of the taillight panel where the valance created a shadow.



Haven't noticed the stampings in that area - not sure how long they (stamping plant) did that - now I'm going to have to go through a bunch of pictures again

[Brian Conway]

Great picture Jeff thanks.  The quarter panel extensions on this car are fiberglass.  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Great picture Jeff thanks.  The quarter panel extensions on this car are fiberglass.  Brian

Not always easy to find examples that match the OP's cars

Early car - makes sense

[drummingrocks]

Great picture Jeff thanks.  The quarter panel extensions on this car are fiberglass.  Brian

I had no idea that the early cars got fiberglass extensions.  That's a neat little detail.  I'd be curious to know why they even experimented with fiberglass in '69, seeing as how the headlight buckets and extensions from earlier years were pot metal.  Seems like an example of "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

[J_Speegle]

I had no idea that the early cars got fiberglass extensions.  That's a neat little detail.  I'd be curious to know why they even experimented with fiberglass in '69, seeing as how the headlight buckets and extensions from earlier years were pot metal.  Seems like an example of "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

I don't know if I would call it experimenting - consider that Corvette had been using the process (or a similar one for years) and you have allot of the 68 Shelby parts. Don't think (but not sure) that Ford was making them - another outside vendor on contract likely