One salvage yard yes Tim.. Hundreds, pulling engines in each one from every year since the 30's, you get to see the similarities, what has been repainted and what hasn't. We tore lots of these engines down for the manifolds, carbs, flywheels, etc, etc. So no, I am absolutely convinced the color I am using is correct to the very most minute detail. I do not worry about what everyone else thinks because I saw this with my own eyes.
Gray IS an absolute mix of black and white. As someone who mixes printers ink regularly I know, however, Black is a mix of what? White is a mix of what? So.. you are correct.. I really don't think Chevy had controls on the mixing process, or they were too wide. Meanwhile, I didn't see much difference in the salvage yards until 1955. Oil and dirt sandblasting the engine paint, then heat cycles would have a lot of affect. BUT.. not in places where none of this occurs. Behind the starter, fuel pump, etc, lots of places where I was able to actually see the colors. Some of these salvage yards had very nice trucks in them. Now those parts are on other people trucks!
And, Arizona, there IS a very slight blue tinge to Bill Hirsch but not unless you are looking for it. Check the link I mentioned earlier to see what Bill Hirsch paint looks like. I know what I know! LOL!
