Im just curious if anyone knows what the “correct” factory color was for the metal surround on the door cards of AD trucks? I have see some restored trucks that were a different brown color, some bare steel, some obviously polished aftermarket parts, and some are painted same tan/metallic color as dash and doors. My 49 GMC150 has 1 oem metal frame and its basically wore down to bare rusty metal and I am in the process of finishing up the last pieces of the interior and I need to figure this one out. Anyone have any info or pics? I dont need a 100% oem color match but just curious what they looked like from the factory. Thanks guys.
They were painted a maroon color. I took this photo of an unrestored '49 GMC several years ago. It had 2700 original miles on it. I used the photos as documentation on my restoration of a '52 GMC. Mike
This image is of a 1949 GMC door panel. The truck is claimed to be "all original" and from the other pictures I have of the truck I believe it likely is. As you can see the surrounds on this truck are dark brown.
Glad to see that these photos were of some help to others. I still have them posted up on Photobucket because this was truly a unique vehicle that I felt needed to be documented and preserved. Here is the link:
Also of interest, - notice the door panels have a sheen and appear very similar to the seat cover both in materials, grain and color. Definitely not like the flat cardboard stuff the vendors sell today. That’s the way I remember the truck interiors back in the day as well.
Wow thank you. That’s exactly what I needed to see. That truck is absolutely gorgeous. I love that color too. Mine looks 95% just like it inside so far. Cant wait to post up the finished pics probably tomorrow.
That original looks so good I'm ashamed to post mine, which I just finished. Admittedly not original looking but the best I could do with the "deluxe" panels supplier sent (who shall remain nameless). Maybe they sent "standard" panels by mistake, who knows.
Anyway, I can add KONA is a very dark brown that works well for the correct metal trim. Will post pics of the spray can in a minute, but the cap on the can looks very close to the maroon of interior knobs for '52 (and '53?) trucks, although not maroon after spraying as you can see in attached pics.
Last edited by Skooter; 07/18/20201:21 AM.
Matthew 6:33
1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100 Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55 Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216) www.truckwithaheart.com
Clarification: panels shown in my last post are AFTER painting, NOT as shipped by nameless vendor. Here's that can of Kona used for metal trim. The textured autumn brown is the best I could find to spray on the cheesy door panels to make them somewhat presentable...that is, as long as you don't know how awesome the original panels looked!
Matthew 6:33
1952 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100 Late '55 235/SM420/torque tube 3.55 Dalton Highway survivor (using original 216) www.truckwithaheart.com
Skooter Thank You! That color is just what im looking for. Off to home depot in the morning. It says they have some in stock. Should have some pics up later in the day.
I purchased maroon vinyl material very similar from Jim Carters I think, that I covered the door cards with, may want to check them out. I"ll look for a photo.
Last edited by JiMerit Boltr#43; 07/27/20202:50 PM.
Admittedly not original looking but the best I could do with the "deluxe" panels supplier sent (who shall remain nameless). Maybe they sent "standard" panels by mistake, who knows. 