Correct part finish

[Rainer]

The ones that are still available from GM are satin black. This isn't necessarily proof positive that they came that way back in the day, but that's likely the way they came.

[3macs1]

[ QUOTE ]
The ones that are still available from GM are satin black. This isn't necessarily proof positive that they came that way back in the day, but that's likely the way they came.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have one that was purchased in 71 and it is satin black like Rainer says.

[Keith Tedford]

Except for the firewall, I think that I would be pretty safe in saying that all the black parts were dipped. Until the mid '80s we had a paint line in the Oshawa truck plant just for small parts that went through a cleaner tank then a black paint dip tank. After that parts came into the plant already painted. We also had a paint line for the coloured rims as well. A few years ago I bought a new GM steering centre link for the Chevelle and it was a semi-gloss black. I see cars restored with the natural metal look. I don't know which way the cars came from the factory. Corvette guys have actually figured out which holes the parts were hanging from when dipped so that the runs are going in the right direction.

[JOZW30]

Thanks!

Sorry, I was referring to the inspection cover.....

Satin Black it is!

[Tarrytown SS427s]

I just saw this and thought I would contribute my info. On our 68 SS427 4 speed the inspection cover is Engine orange. It is the original that I took off the car. I have seen a few other originals in this color.
Hope this helps
Steve

[3macs1]

That's so strange Steve. I was gathering 68 SS427 stuff today trying to see where everything is after all these years for the coupe.The original bellhousing and cover were one of the items I located. This one was black original for sure, canadian car but so strange ours would be black and yours orange for the same year and model.

[Tarrytown SS427s]

Interesting. I need to check the 07D fastback tomorrow and see what color that one was. It looks like it depended on what factory the car was built at..
Steve

[Verne_Frantz]

JOZ,
It's been my experience that Tonawanda installed a bare steel inspection cover, bell and fork, then painted it. The degree of orange on the bell, cover or fork varied depending on the guy doing it that day. I believe the final assembly plant installed the rubber boot for the fork when they installed the linkage. All the service replacement inspection covers were supplied black.
IF you look at Pascoe's '69 Z photo, it sure looks like the cover is bare steel with a little orange overspray.

Verne