The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Where to find paint code?

Hello everybody! I'm newbie to this site and Chevy trucks also. Where do I find the paint code and other pertinent info? There is a tag on the driver side windshield post that has this following info: 3a56k028968 and C56-265. Is C56 the paint code? I know this truck was an old Air Force vehicle it has a plaque screwed on the dash. The truck is currently green, but you can see what appears to be a blue that the Air Force painted their vehicles underneath on the outside. In the inside (door jambs) the paint is an off white, cream color. Thanks for the help!

Is this a 1956 truck? I am not sure the paint codes were placed on those vehicles. But if you confirm the year, I can tell you what paint colors were available. Of course, since it was probably originally an air force vehicle, that blue color was a special fleet color, not a regular color usually available.

that VIN is a 56 1/2T made in KC,MO, and C56 isn't a paint code, which were 3 digit numbers not usually put on the truck, and never anywhere but the tag on the firewall - as Brian says, USAF would be a unique number that wouldn't tell you any thing, as the custom ordered colors aren't listed in any paint code books - there's an "Alpine Blue", code 766 in the TF years that's close but lighter

what other "pertinent info" ya need?

Bill

Were these trucks painted a different color in the interior than what the exterior was painted?

don't remember what the AF trucks looked like inside, too long ago and I hadta walk mosta the time
the standard trucks were a light/med gray inside w/ a darker gray floor/ steps, steering column and wheel, as well as the top of the dash, which was a 'flattened' non glare dark gray - 'body color' covered the firewall [engine side] and floor underside - bed floor was black

Bill

I have the 56 3100 army version (orignally painted olive drab). It's paint code is stamped SPC (Special). The cab version is stamped STD (Standard). The standard cab was painted marble gray (light gray). You can find the paint codes on the plate between the door hinges on the driver's side door opening. It has probably been painted over.

I also have C56-265 on the VIN tag. Does anyone know what that number means? Government contract number?

Delete - never seen the C56-265 - maybe specific to gov't vehicles - did either of these trucks have a V8? - also I haven't seen the body/trim tag on the door, just on the firewall, like this CDN one

Bill

No V8 in my truck.

My trim plate is on the doorjamb between the door hinges. The plate is blue and silver. It lists gross vehicle weight ratings, Net horsepower and engine size.

Thanks,

Delete

I have a blue and silver trim plate that lists hp and engine size also. At the bottom of the plate, it has a marking for the paint code. Mine has 'spec' stamped in that area. I guess I can paint it any color I want!

Rich, 'spec' means 'special' - but then you always knew yer truck was special anyway!

Bill

Mine has 734 for paint code, which is a blue by the base paint, but the #'s dont match with what I can find for colors. Empire blue, maybe? thanks, jon

you won't find any modern things useing those numbers, just original chips that might give ya a lead, but I think 734 hasta be a blue cuz in 58 Baltic Blue is #735, and Dawn Blue is #736, and the colors were always in number groups - don't have any chips for 56, but you could always start hittin the swap meets!

Bill

Hello RichN. I painted the USAF Blue in the mid 50's. Got out in 1958, and I don't remember any mid or late 50's trucks at Barksdale AFB. That was the old enamal paint we used back then and Lacquer also. You can do better than Air Force Blue - Ha. As I remember the insides were as they came from factory. Unless we had to paint them and it was a "close" color. The early 50's were a brownish or Fawn. Later some of the units they wanted to try a white top to see about reducing heat in the cab for those used on the flight line.
Don't know if that was nation wide or just a local Louisiana thing. This is no help I'm sure - just wanted to jump in. Ha. Get a pretty color that YOU like. ha. Bill Morrison

Thanks Bill for the info. I'm teetering back and forth on what to do with this truck. One part of me wants to restore it to original when the Air Force recieved it. But after a million google, dogpile and msn searches I cant find one picture as to what this truck might have looked like. I have begun to sand the Bobby Labonte Interstate Batteries green paint away to see what was painted what originally. The other part of me says screw it, paint it what you want.

Well, if you do want and can find A.F. Blue, then you have to find an inch and a half or maybe two inch stencel to say U.S. Air Force and put that in yellow on the doors. Ha. and for the life of me I can't remember what else. Seems like there were 3 lines....? oh well. If you have an Air Base near by you could always go to their paint shop in Motor Vehicle Squd. and get the info that way. Just a thought. I wish you well in what ever you deside. Bill