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| | | Forums66 Topics128,049 Posts1,055,652 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 37 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 37 | I just got done removing 50 years of dirt and grease from my 55 1st gen rear axle and discovered it is painted orange. Was this the original color? Just curious. The serial number on the case is NK1108 so I believe it matches the year of the truck. Thanks in advance. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Yes, that is the correct color. The 3rd members for the Passenger cars were painted a similar manner, but with a more brownish-red shade.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Bill, was the whole axle housing painted this way or just the pumpkin?
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Orange? Is that the first year for orange? Is that why the differential/housing is often called the "Pumpkin"? Here is a confirmation of the NK code. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Orange?
Is that why the differential/housing is often called the "Pumpkin"? I like that question Tim. I never thought about it, but that makes sense. I think I know the answer to the question I asked Bill above, but I wanted him to be clear with his answer. I believe only the center section/pumpkin were burnt orange.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Yes, only the center section. I was somewhat surprised seeing orange myself when I cleaned all the crud off the outside.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Very interesting. Thanks, 55mater, Bill, and Dave  I learned something and I now have an new BS story/hypotheses regarding "pumpkin". | | | | | Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 37 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 37 | Thanks for the info. Now I just need to figure out how to match the color. | | |
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