The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts '48 Chevy 2 ton, I'm baaack

The marine project, as anyone would have guessed, took longer than first estimated. The 2 months turned into 4 from engine removal to reinstall. Then the problem started. Under the load of the higher HP upgrade and the much bigger prop to handle it, a head gasket blew.
At that point I put the 2 ton in storage to get room for the boat in the shop (34'boat and trailer in a 30' shop).
Long story short out of spec cylinder studs from a previous rebuild stretched and the crankcase cracked. Another month to find and procure a new crankcase. It will arrive this week then has to go out to be line bored to match the crank. Another complete engine build.

So, I'm working on individual parts from the truck until I bring it back into the shop.
That brings me to this question:

As you remember the cab and sheet metal has been painted Sport Beige inside and out. The frame, running gear and bed frame are chocolate brown. The inner fenders and filler pan in front of the radiator and cross members haven't been painted yet.
Asking for opinions. Paint everything that was chassis black, chocolate brown to match the original convention, or go with a fancier custom look and paint the outside of the inner fenders and pan brown and the insides Sport Beige as well as the braces in the engine compartment to match the firewall and hood?
This is a restoration/upgrade, not a historic restoration. As much of the original look is preserved but the custom leather interior, automatic trans, etc. do give it away.

OK, nobody has an opinion or doesn't care enough to post one.

I read the question and because I'm not very keen on brown and brown thought it best to keep my opinion and hope you build your truck just the way you like.
I had been following along on the marine engine project, and that was/is quite interesting.

I'm not the best with colors and knowing I like the looks of the stock trucks I'll stick close to that. Might change just the exterior color to suit my taste, keeping interior and overall scheme, running boards, inner fenders and so on the same as original. Mechanically my truck(s) won't be original, just practical, simple, and slightly more modern, not anywhere close to a "hot rod" sort of thing.

Grigg

Just seen your post. I care to post what I think. You have it right with the inner fenders painted sport beige at least inside of the engine bay. Behind the grill and outers and pan chocolate brown in my opinion that would look gorgeous, but maybe paint the braces in the brown gives a little two tone under the hood.

What color is the radiator surround/bracket and hood latch area? Maybe in brown as well or at least just the radiator part.

Either way those two colors are beautiful together.

Well that's my opinion

Good luck Jim, worst case scenario you'll have to paint it again

Thanks for the ideas, food for thought.
Pictures when I assemble the front end.

That brings up another question:
The hood brace that holds the hood latch pin asy and the latch it's self, are not painted. They are treated so they don't rust.
Anybody know what the original metal finish was? Doesn't quite look like galvy.