Topic: '66 GT "A" Code (Oct 65) Metuchen Undercarriage Color?

[Turnall]

Cleaning the undercarriage today and it's really hard to find what the color was  (surface rust I'm sure wasn't an original Ford color). 

I have attached pictures, the 1st before doing any cleaning, the rest after (and I still have more cleaning to do).  I'm looking for any insight as to what the undercarriage color would (or could) have been.  I've notice close to the rear on each side (right before the rear springs attach, looks like body color) the other looks like it could have been a black color.  I'm used to seeing most go with the red oxide color, but this just doesn't seem to fit this car.

Thanks,

Allen

[CharlesTurner]

It would be best to pull off parts on the undercarriage and clean where they were with some solvent.  It looks like you've been sanding underneath?

[Turnall]

It would be best to pull off parts on the undercarriage and clean where they were with some solvent.  It looks like you've been sanding underneath?

I have been using a drill with a wire "cup" to knock off the dirt/rust.  I will pull off some of the brackets and use solvent to clean under them and see what I find.

Thanks,

Allen

[Building 3]

My October 1965 Metuchen Mustang looks the same as yours. I would be interested to know the primer color too.

[CharlesTurner]

I have been using a drill with a wire "cup" to knock off the dirt/rust.  I will pull off some of the brackets and use solvent to clean under them and see what I find.

Don't use anything abrasive.  Stick to just using a solvent and wiping/cleaning to see what you can find.  Up at the top of the trans tunnel is usually good place, or as I mentioned, underneath original parts/fasteners.

[sgl66]

My October car at least came with red oxide. Based on the attached pictures, it doesn't look like there is any hiding under the gray on either car pictured. You can also check the frame up front to see if there are any traces up there.

[CharlesTurner]

The front frame rails would typically be a different color primer or different shade of red-oxide than the back of the car.

[JKWilson]

My October car at least came with red oxide. Based on the attached pictures, it doesn't look like there is any hiding under the gray on either car pictured. You can also check the frame up front to see if there are any traces up there.

+1

[J_Speegle]

Haven't heard or found anything but Red oxide epoxy primer sealer on a NJ car yet.

All the pictures posted so far in the OP's post are of areas that are normally affected by original body color spray of overspray from repaints.

Agree that over the trans is likely the most protected area - especially if it got covered with road grime and oil. Or sometimes under brackets or mounting bolts though the sample there will be small if not pulled off by contact transfer

[66RavenGTCoupeAgain]

My October car at least came with red oxide. Based on the attached pictures, it doesn't look like there is any hiding under the gray on either car pictured. You can also check the frame up front to see if there are any traces up there.

My unrestored Dec 5 GT (NJ) Coupe also has red oxide on the undercarriage.
Hope this helps.

[Turnall]

It just seems like the underside of this car has no color...LOL.

You can see in the picture where I have taken a cloth towel with simple green and cleaned beside where the shifter comes through the tunnel. Underneath the dirt and grime looks to be surface rust with bare metal underneath it. I know there is no definitive answer, just trying to make it correct as possible...

Allen

[CharlesTurner]

It would be quite unusual for a car to not have primer at all.  The main floor section and rear was done using automated spray jets as the car passed over.  We have seen where some cars show a pattern on one of the spray nozzles not having sprayed. 

Keep cleaning around, something might turn up.

Also, you might not have caught it earlier, but the front frame rails, from a line straight down from the edge of the cowl, backwards of the car was done with automation, but the front was hand sprayed.  The reason is obvious when you think about it.  They wouldn't want the middle jets spraying through the engine bay and hitting nothing. 

[J_Speegle]

It just seems like the underside of this car has no color...LOL.

Unfortunately - especially for NJ built cars - poor storage, use and the elements tend to take their toll on metal surfaces, removing original finishes and details after all these years.  So far we have redo oxide before, some examples from the same month and examples from periods after all reporting the same finish.

[CharlesTurner]

Unfortunately - especially for NJ built cars - poor storage, use and the elements tend to take their toll on metal surfaces, removing original finishes and details after all these years.  So far we have redo oxide before, some examples from the same month and examples from periods after all reporting the same finish.

Good point, we do have to remind ourselves that these cars are 50+ years old now!

[sgl66]

Unfortunately - especially for NJ built cars - poor storage, use and the elements tend to take their toll on metal surfaces, removing original finishes and details after all these years.

True however looking at reply #3 from Building 3, his looks to have avoided what may commonly be found under these cars for rust and aging. Although mine showed its age, around 90% of the tunnel retained the red oxide. As mentioned earlier, keep looking. If you plan to remove the leaf springs, you will find that the large washer against the frame has preserved what is under it. In my case, the washer itself had red oxide on it probably because the paint was still wet when the suspension was bolted to it on the assembly line.