Verne Frantz's 63 Impala Anniversary SURVIVOR

[Verne_Frantz]

Mo,
I have another question for your Dad, if you don't mind. This one might be tough, as it only applies to one year and one option.

I've documented an original '61 Impala with the Super Sport option built at St. Louis in Feb. The '61 Impalas had a small crossed flag emblem on the right side of the dash (remember, the glove box was in the middle). In the factory brochures for the Super Sport, a grab bar was added to that area of the dash (just like '62), but the crossed flag emblem was missing (it would have been behind the bar). I've also seen other "real" '61 SSs without the crossed flag emblem. The holes for the emblem which were already punched were filled in with body solder and painted over. This finish wasn't perfect, as though someone had "restored" the car that way.
So, the question is: Does your Dad remember any of these '61 "oddballs" that had those holes filled and filed in the dash when the car came in for paint?

Also, was the metal dash painted before or after the body, and what kind of masking was done between the two?

(just let me know if I'm wearing out my welcome)

Thanks
Verne.

[moparts]

[ QUOTE ]
The holes for the emblem which were already punched were filled in with body solder and painted over. This finish wasn't perfect, as though someone had "restored" the car that way.
So, the question is: Does your Dad remember any of these '61 "oddballs" that had those holes filled and filed in the dash when the car came in for paint?


[/ QUOTE ]

He said he didn't remember anything specific like that. But he did say they were all the time having to fill holes in fenders and such. This was usually due to using parts left over from previous model that the new one didn't need the holes.

[ QUOTE ]
Also, was the metal dash painted before or after the body, and what kind of masking was done between the two?


[/ QUOTE ]

Dash was painted before the body. Basicly the masking was done as quick and easy as possible.

[ QUOTE ]
(just let me know if I'm wearing out my welcome)

[/ QUOTE ]

Dad said no problem he was enjoying this.

[Verne_Frantz]

Mo,
A couple more for your Dad.
First, were you able to confirm with him that the bodies were dipped in the red oxide primer, rather than sprayed?

Question on wheel paint: The wheels were painted with enamal, so I'd doubt they went through the same paint booth as the cars. Did the plants paint the wheels in another area, and if so were they done in order of the colors needed to match the cars' order on the line or were they painted in large batches of each color and "binned" for use? Or........were they received at the plants already painted?
Do you know if the wheel paint was baked, or just left to air dry?

Thanks again. I've appreciated the education.
Verne

[moparts]

[ QUOTE ]
First, were you able to confirm with him that the bodies were dipped in the red oxide primer, rather than sprayed?


[/ QUOTE ] Dad says that the St. Louis plant always sprayed their primer. Some of the other plants dipped. Any dripping under the St. Louis primmed cars would be due to the fact that they sprayed it very heavy by machine. Then a person would go over anywhere the machine didn't get. If there was any pause in the line the primer would get sprayed too heavy.
[ QUOTE ]
Question on wheel paint: The wheels were painted with enamal, so I'd doubt they went through the same paint booth as the cars. Did the plants paint the wheels in another area, and if so were they done in order of the colors needed to match the cars' order on the line or were they painted in large batches of each color and "binned" for use? Or........were they received at the plants already painted?
Do you know if the wheel paint was baked, or just left to air dry?



[/ QUOTE ] Dad says the wheels were painted at the plant. Went down their own line and were sprayed and baked.

[Verne_Frantz]

Mo,
Thanks for the info on the primer and wheels.
Well, here I am again with a couple more questions. You said your dad was enjoying this, so here goes.

Getting back to the guy who removed the build sheets and marked the trim and paint codes on the firewall before the body went into the booth.....does your Dad know what kind of marker they used? Wax type crayon, paint stick, or other? I've confirmed that those markings were indeed under the paint, but the numbers don't seem to disolve in thinner very well.

Ques. #2: Is it possible that rather than writing the 3 digit paint code (or even in some cases just 2 digits, since the first was always the same), they used just one number, possibly to identify the hose/gun number?

Thanks again. There's nothing like an education from first hand experience.

Verne