The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk (Korean) Wartime Chrome

Curious about chrome availability during the Korean War. I see LOTS of chrome grills and bumpers on AD trucks, and am wondering if that reflects owner preference, more than historical accuracy. Was chrome available throughout the war, or was it not around some years? Stainless, too -- in the cab, trim, etc.

More specifically, I'm wondering how many grills were painted, and how many were chrome, in the 1951 model year.

Cheers,
mark.
51 KY 3100

While a lot of restorers go for the chrome grills, in all the original trucks I've come across in 25 years of searching salvage yards, etc., very very few of them had one originally. Actually, the only ones I've come across were on trucks that had the Deluxe equipment option, and that wasn't a lot. Keep in mind that when they were new, they were almost exclusively purchased by farmers or tradesmen, not suburbanites like today. A few dollars here or there was not to be wasted on fluff.
As far as the war chrome restrictions, that date is practically impossible to pinpoint, since certain items would have ran out at different plants at different times. It would also have been possible for some dealers to have things such as chrome bumpers in their stock to add on to trucks in the lot.

Bob

Mark,What Bob said and to add a little
My 51 Subn came with its stainless grill and bumpers.but its an early 51 with a low serial#
As far as I know the 52 model year started the War crunch so to speak
The only "Brite work" so to speak on my 52 1ton is the Windshield divider,front hood badge,side potmetal chevy emblems and door/window handles,in and out.
The knobs are maroon plastic not chrome plated pot metal
Everything else was painted,the dash the grill,the hubcaps and even the bumpers.....I coulda missed a little but you get the idea.
back to your specific ques,
Its probable that toward the end of the model year run the grills were painted to go along with Govt Restrictions
Regards

I am pretty sure there was chrome available during the Korean War. During WWII American Industry was pretty much Federalized so everything went to the Total war effort. This was not the case during the Korean War. I don't remember hearing of any rationing or restrictions during that era.

In '52 and '53 there were no factory chrome grilles. Bumpers remained chrome, however.

Chrome front bumpers were standard until approx.
August '51.
Chrome bumpers were not available for '52 or '53,
painted front bumpers were standard. (Anvil Gray)
This info is from The Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Trucks.
My '52 has an Anvil Gray bumper.

Everyone with input is correct. There is a slight difference though. Rationing was not in effect during the Korean war. What was the problem was just a shortage of copper and nickel. This resulted in chrom not being standard in the 52-53. This was a manufacturing problem, not one demanded by the government. All front bumpers were painted. The funny thing though is that a rear bumper which was an option on the 52-53 only came in chrome. This was due to the fact that inventory was already in stock and not used from previous years. Again, these were farm trucks.Anvil grey was standard for front bumpers and hubcaps. So, if you see an AD with a painted front bumper and a chrome rear bumper it is not incorrect. The guy knows his stuff.

What about 1954 3100

I have been to a couple of county fairs and a few other places and have never seen or heard of the painted front and chrome rear bumpers on 52-53s? All of the 1952-53s with factory installed rear bumpers I have seen have been painted grey on the Chevrolets and black on the GMCs.

Interesting.
I am looking at pictures of my Opa's '53 Chevrolet back in 1953.
Seen in my gallery page below you can see one. The bumper in chrome. The hubcaps are chrome. I still have one. Thats stock a stock '53.

Oh, and looking at the interior, the radio grill and glovebox door are painted. Handles are chrome.

I know 52 was a year that chrome was used
very little because of the korean war (it was called
a police action....but when the enemy is shootin
at cha,I call it war.) Whitewall tires were not available either....I had My bumpers chromed, plus
the grill bars that I removed many dents from prior
to having the chrome work done... BB

1954 was after the end of the "Korean Conflict" and chrome options were again available that year (they were supposedly not available in 1952-53).

It would be interesting to hear/read/see more about the ". . 51 Subn came with its stainless grill and bumpers. . . "

Stainless-Steel or chrome in 1951? Other people have also reported stainless steel grills in 1954 (but GM does not refer to these items)?

My 53 3100 had a chrome front bumper alone and painted hubcaps, however there was a yellow stripe around the cab and silver stripe about 3/4" away from the hubcap. The inner grill was painted same as hubcaps. I know these facts because I performed "frame off".One of the reasons I like to do all work my self. My truck talked to me alot during the 12 year restoration process.

My '53 3600 doesn't have much for chrome. The bumpers, grille and hubcaps are all painted. The only chrome on the truck is the hood ornament, 3600 emblems, door handles and vent window handles.

Here is a photo of my 1951 1/2-ton.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL284/1946755/9706179/138155662.jpg

It was built in August of 1951. Notice the painted (not stainless grill) on the dash. The wiper knob on top of the dash is plastic, not chrome. However, the window crank knobs on the door are chrome. These also became plastic in 1952. I don't believe that it originally came with a rear bumper and the front was gone when I bought it. It was a deluxe cab with the corner windows and a pinstripe around the cab. The grill was painted cream color.

Just to add to the date and discussion: The old fire truck was built in November 1951. It has a painted dash with chrome door handles (inside and out) and wiper knob. The front grille and bumper were painted. I figurd it had more to do with cost when it was ordered. Anyway, I had both grille and bumper chromed to brighten up the appearance.

Todd, *exactly* what I was looking for.
(I think mine is a May truck.)

Was the entire grill cream, or cream inner and body color outer bars as usually described?

Thanks,
mark.
'51 KY 3100

To add more to the mix, I was looking through some old factory bulletins last night and there was one that mentioned the copper shortage. It dealt with the "new 3 1/2 turn windings" vs. the old 4 turn windings and how to match up and set voltage regulators with them. I would have to look again but it was dated in either 52 or 53.

Mine is currently cream.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL284/1946755/9706179/138156322.jpg

When I look at it though, it was blue (Mariner? I believe) on the outer bars with cream behind them.

I too will plan to maintain some semblance of originality, but will probably go with a chrome grill. It has a 235 out of a 53 PG passenger car. I hope to keep that, install a 5 speed, an open drive shaft and 10 or 12 bolt rear. I also plan to install an independant front suspension, but not lower it too much. I will probably use 4 wheel discs as well.