Hello, this is my first post and I'm looking forward to developing good relationships with the members.
I have a 56 GMC 100 that I bought in pretty nice shape - which is why I put "restoration" in quotes in the title - I can't take credit for what I did not do. What I am in the process of doing is correcting some of the things that were not done correctly and ultimately want to get this beautiful truck very close to original so that others can experience a little of the 50's.
As I am getting ready to remove the exhaust manifolds to repair some leaks I was wondering if the bolts that hold the fender in place should be painted the same as the truck or would they be raw when it rolled off the assembly line?
Any input on what would make this truck closer to original would be greatly appreciated.
welcome to the site! That is a beautiful truck! You might ask about the paint color for the fender bolts in the paint and body section, (although since you already asked here, it would be frowned upon to ask the same question in a different section!).
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Thank you all so much. And thank you for the information on protocol; I will try to abide by that in the future. Hopefully someone will be able to opine on my original question and we will all be the wiser.
I believe the front fenders/grille panels were painted separately and then assembled to make the front clip so all of these bolts would be natural. The 8 bolts holding the front clip to the cab/chassis would also be natural.
I also think the rear fenders were painted and then bolted onto the bed. What make me thik this is the piece of bed side that's under the fender is always the body color, so the bed sides must have been painted before the fenders were installed.
Here's a 1956 factory picture with a Chevrolet front clip being assembled...
I think it's been that way since the beginning...in the 30's they put the radiator shell on the chassis first, then the front fenders with the running boards and then the body.
Check out this 1946 assembly line film, it's a treasure trove of details. You'll see the front clip getting installed already painted and trimmed out!
I know this is cars, but the trucks came down the same line and would in theory be assembled the same way, check out this picture of a truck cab behind a '57 four door sedan, on the line!
