Topic: Grille color?- 65

[fjm]

I'm finishing up my restoration and am now working on my grille and trim.  I've searched and found many opinions about colors and want to keep mine as factory original.  The car is what is a standard build, not HIPO, not GT.  It's a May 1965 Dearborn build, 289 2V, auto trans, convertible, Springtime Yellow with black interior and top.  A pretty factory basic Mustang, and I'm trying to keep it that way.

I've matched the original grille side trim paint with Ford Argent and it looks like a perfect match.  However, I've read a lot of web info, here and on other forums, stating a variety of "correct" colors for the grille..... Argent, dark Argent, blueish silver, etc., but not black.  My problem is that mine is from the factory and was never repainted.  It is now a dull BLACK that might have been flat, matte, or semi-gloss when first assembled, and then dulled with age....I have no way of knowing.  I'm leaning toward painting it black again to keep it as it was but surprised I can't verify it's the correct color.  Can anyone help verify that black was indeed used, at least in Dearborn builds of May 1965?  I am keeping a journal of the resto progress and issues and it would be good to note.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[J_Speegle]

The search feature found the following by using "65 grill color paint"


http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=14709.msg91731#msg91731

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3195.msg17056#msg17056

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=4897.msg27235#msg27235

[CharlesTurner]

Black is definitely not correct.

[J_Speegle]

Black is definitely not correct.

+1  Though many of us painted allot of them black. Looked better/cooler 

[michaelvonlanthen]

what about the 64 1/2 model year? any changes from 65 or also argent silver?

[CharlesTurner]

what about the 64 1/2 model year? any changes from 65 or also argent silver?

Some very early cars had a lighter color grille, but I wouldn't call it argent.

[michaelvonlanthen]

Some very early cars had a lighter color grille, but I wouldn't call it argent.

Thanks Charles, so my July 64 Car has to have the color from the restored red 65 HIPO, from which we saw photos in another topic about the grille color?

[CharlesTurner]

I would go with the normal '65 grille color.

[jwc66k]

I would go with the normal '65 grille color.

It does stand out.
Jim

[fjm]

Interesting responses.... e.g.,  "definitely not black."

Mine is virtually an original factory build but for the top and some repop sheet metal but it's not Concours quality but I'm trying.  I cleaned the grille good, looked again and found that the back side looks phosphate and the outside of the bottom frame and the section that was under the top grille bracket mounted to the hood latch looks maybe gun-metal(ish) or maybe dark Argent (which was also suggested but I have no idea what that looks like).  Racked my brain awhile then remembered that almost 45-50 yrs ago a buddy did a nice Springtime Yellow repaint for me and I'm wondering if he hit the grille with a coat of black.  I'm now thinking he did.

I bought a replacement grille that has a not so good paint job... kinda shiny black with what looks like a metallic-green base coat bleeding thru on the back side.  I want to paint the replacement correctly, thus my question.  I have Ford Argent that matched the grille trim perfectly, so I know that is not correct for the grille.  With black being my last resort, though it would go well with the black interior and top, is there a can of paint you know of that will give me the correct grille color?

[michaelvonlanthen]

I would go with the normal '65 grille color.

Is this the normal 65 grille color? at the moment I don't have a better, closer photo from the grille. the car is in the shop.

[fjm]

Looks most like what I have.  Do you know what it's called?

[J_Speegle]

Three examples from very nice original cars, grill with original paint on them,  built at Dearborn.

Before  - within 3-4 weeks and after the date you posted

Contrast between the grill color and the black items in the pictures are apparent

Surprised how close they look on my monitor given that they were taken different days, different cameras under different conditions







-------------------------------------

Believe a number of the major parts houses have their version in rattle can. You would have to ask those that have used any of them how close they were

Don't forget the details

[fjm]

@ J_Speegle.... Thanks for the effort and post. 

Good pictures.  Dearborn on Mar 24, 65.  Mine at Dearborn on May 14, 65.  About 50 days apart and they look the same and I think verifies what mine should be.

Now I have to lock-in the color.  Does anyone actually know what the heck is it?  Gun-metal blue?  Gun-metal gray?  Dark Argent?  NPD and CJ Pony sells cans of gun-metal but I've read that they aren't correct.  NPD too light.  CJ Pony too blue.  Might be time to go look at store cans for a match.  Maybe VHT has it.

[jwc66k]

The closest is "Charcoal Blue". NPD sells it, I don't know who makes it.
Keep in mind that the two end pieces that attach to the headlamp buckets are semi-gloss black, and the rivets are black.
Jim