I recently sold my 52 Ford Country Squire wagon that was an all original car.
The sheet metal was all pretty good but the grille and bumpers were
kind of strange looking to me....
Then I found a little decal in the glove box warning the owner NOT to
use abrasive cleaners on their chrome ; Due to Korean war restrictions on nickel usage. Ford had flash plated the chrome
and sprayed clear enamel over it. THis in lieu of the normal copper, nickel, chrome
process. Eventually the enamel wears off and the chrome just peels off.
As far as I know the restrictions on Fords was for 52 only, but I'm guessing GM would have restricted nickel usage as well on certain models; like trucks, during the Korean conflict.
mike
