The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1951 3100 Forester Green inner grille color

Stovebolters

In July I purchased a 1951 3100. It was supposed to my project truck. It was sitting on rotted tires and was not running when parked in my neighbors driveway 14+ years ago. Nice truck though. Very straight.

I jacked it up, took the wheels down for new tires, and towed it home. While under it I noticed the frame had good looking powder coat and the brake lines looked new.

Surprise surprise. The receipt folder showed a 55 235 crate motor and new rear end. 3speed on floor with Hurst side shifter. My dad and I cleaned the carb and tank, put in a new battery and it fired up.

So now, after less than 2k to get the truck safe, converted to 12v and mechanically sound......I had money left over in the MAD account. SO off to the body shop for work and paint.

I want to paint the truck Forester Green with black running boards.

My question is this. The grille will be painted the same Forester Green. But I cannot get myself to paint the inner bars Waldorf White. If I choose to paint the entire grille Forester Green or the inner bars Black...will it decrease the value of the truck? Will purist sneer at my indiscretion?

Thanks for any advice or opinions on this.

I think it is a mistake to not make the truck the way YOU want it. There will always be someone to sneer or give a less than valued opinion but you will be living with it every day. As far as value again I think it goes to future plans are you keeping it or selling it? If you are fixing it up to sell in a couple years then paint in acceptable colors and to factory specifications may be worthy of some thought.

If you are attempting to have an original-specs truck, . . .

If you want a good looking truck that pleases you, do what you like.

Very few people will know the difference - they will smile at your truck, as much as you do.

Thanks for the responses.

I guess my take is just that I am practical. I am 43 and hope to own the truck for the rest of my life. I love it. But I also realize that life happens and if the financial poo hit the fan, I could sell the truck if need be and was worried that something obvious not stock would hurt its value.

Maybe since the motor is not original, the rear end is not original, then maybe I should get over it and just paint the grill all green as I like.

I am new here so I am not sure I can post photos yet, but will surely post before shots soon and after shots as available.

I read on Jim Carter's site that the back bars are Waldorf white, the 3 upright supports are black and the side pieces which meet the fenders are body color. I don't know if this info is the gospel, but if it is, it would necessitate disassembling the grille to do the painting "correct".
As far as anyone saying something about your truck, don't sweat it. When someone respectfully asks me about something not quite right about mine (and there are many opportunities for that), I am impressed that he is informed enough about these trucks to notice, and I let him know it.
Now if a dill weed shows up, why, that's a whole 'nother story.
Carl

Carl,

What is a dill weed?

I post a little information about my Suburban when I go to shows. I ask people to state/guess the three/four things that are not done to original specs. This often gets good discussions going in a very friendly manner.

Waldorf white paint mix formula was lost years ago,no one around here can mix it. I wouldn't worry too much about it,most people don't know about Waldorf white.


Tim

You are over thinking it.
55 motor, 12V, aftermarket shifter.
You are never going to put it in a 100 point show or sell it as a "original" restoration.

Thanks for all the responses. I appreciate them.
I will post some shots when I finished.

Jim Sears yes I am over thinking. I may have entered into paralysis of over analysis.

check out these pictures of a 52 with the grill painted and the inner bars off white.......I may be changing my opinion. Looks nice.

http://www.connorsmotorcar.com/vehicles/194/1952-Chevrolet-5-Window-Pickup

Dill weed is an alternative to foul language not allowed on this site. Someone who would talk trash for the purpose of just being ugly about the truck which you spent many hours on, would qualify as being a major league dill weed.
I like your idea of "Quiz Time"! I can't wait to try it at the next show.
Carl

On my '51, the 3 inner uprights were painted Waldorf White like the back bars, not black, but the side pieces were definitely body color. Maybe the upright color varied by assembly plant. My truck was built in Oakland. I'd guess that most of Jim Carter's examples were from another plant closer to KC.

Today I picked up a rattle can of Rustoleum Canvas White, and it matched pretty dang close to the remnants of the Waldorf white at the top of one of the uprights. That's what I'm going to use.