The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 51 Firewall Signature ?

I read some where that the inspectors on the assemble line would sign the firewall. Can't seem to find now where I read that. Would this be the case on mine or some PO's way of personalization? My truck was built in Oakland California. Has anyone seen this?

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/609/2107832160103997649S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/26957/2416431860103997649S600x600Q85.jpg

I had a "6D" under the hood of my '50, took some pics of it before stripping off the paint. Now my '66 Mustang had A/C on the front radiator housing. There should be some examples out there on the AD trucks, anyone got any?

Mike

I think it would have been done before the twin matched horns were installed. I don't know if that option was installed at the factory or dealer.

The 72 GMC 1/2 ton I used to own had " Gm employee " written in yellow on the firewall under the wiring. I wish I had taken some pictures but didn't think of it at the time. That truck had every option going on it. It even had the Corvette 350 engine and posi. It was a sweet truck. To bad my son smashed it up and wrote it off.

Most factory markings I've seen were either done in chalk, paint, or grease pencil. That one looks like it was carved after the paint was applied.

Of course I could be wrong - I have been many times before...

Bluedawg

I was thinking along the same lines. But the paint on the firewall appears to be original. The truck has one repaint on the outside

The only markings I've ever seen on the firewall/underhood of these old trucks was the paint code. Mine still has the markings under the hood for the factory paint code.

Hi Longbox, Where have you found these markings located? Just want to find what is original and what is not. Mine is pretty close to original other than a couple of modifications that were done back in the day(before 1960)

Mike

My Norwood, OH-built '49 1-ton is original, unmolested and still has the white crayon/grease pencil signature of the assembly line inspector on the firewall between the voltage regulator and the top vent drain. Looks like CTELP or CTEMP.



r,
John

a "signature" like that would have been considered vandalism at the factory and is more likely to have been done after purchase

many trucks got grease pencil marks on the assembly line, for their own reasons, but most didn't - NOT a universal practice nor standard in any way, prolly happened at shift changes to let the next crew know what was happening or if something was incomplete

I've seen trucks with indecipherable marks on the underside of the hood, on the firewall, and on the inner fender - always with something that was easy to wash off, and no doubt meant to be

Bill

All of my 3 trucks have chalk marks on the firewall, they in no way seem to relate to the color code.

On ADs, Iv'e seen markings on both the firewall and under the hood, the TF trucks always seemed to be on the underside of the hood only. Again, I've only seed markings for color codes and in a few cases, cab trim. No initials or names. Unless there was someone at the plant named "C Blue"

Sorry Longbox, I should have asked where on the firewall or hood. I am at the point of starting complete tear down. I just want to try to save what ever is original. Sounds like that factory markings would have to be chalk or grease pencil.

Hi John, Where did I read that the inspectors signed the firewall, sounds like you know. Would really like to see a pic of yours if not to much trouble.

My '58 has chalk markings on it too. Right behind the engine onthe firewall. You can see it in this pic:

http://mysite.verizon.net/kimmell/58chevy/apache08.jpg

I wonder what the 32 would mean?

That looks more like a factory marking than mine. Maybe a employee number? Wish these trucks could talk

My 51 had the number 250 in what looked like white paint.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2555563570099708909dDNqzn

I don't think grease paint or chalk would hold up 60 years. I always thought it was a count at the end of the assembly line of the number trucks built that day.

Went out and looked at my 58 and it has 2288 in grease pencil right above the battery,just above the firewall & cowl panel seam.The area where the number is on your truck ill have to wipe the years of dust off mine to see if it has numbers.Not to stray from the bolts but a buddy of mine is a big mopar guy and he said there have been numerous cars that have had signatures of line workers found under the rear deck upholstery.

Sounds like the fellow that worked in the shipyards during WWII. He use to sign each ship he worked on with "KILLROY WAS HERE". Many of the GIs saw it and started painting it all over Europe.

MD4Fred -- I just upload a photo of my firewall

here

I'm not sure what it says, but Mr. Dady said it was there the day he bought the truck new in the early fall of 1949 at Dickson Chevrolet in Dickson, TN.

What is interesting is that the truck was built in August at the Norwood, OH plant. I would be very interested to see if there are any other original Norwood '49's with this same marking. My '49 4400 is also a Norwood truck but that part of the firewall was pretty grime covered before I took it apart and had it cleaned/repainted.

This is an interesting topic and it would be great if someone wanted to take it on as a research project.

Regards,
John

this is my 54 firewall writing. I have always wondered what it said. In addition, on the underside of the hood is written "transport" in black grease pencil which I assume matches the original transport blue exterior main body color. [IMG]http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/63/63/7/98/55/399979855NusbNh_th.jpg[/IMG]

I am still wondering if the twin matched horns were installed at the factory or the dealer. The signature would have had to be done prior as they would have been in the way. The horns have the cloth covered factory harness with the relay mounted below.

Greg_H how did you put the pic in the message like you did? I have chalk writing on mine I would like to show. Thanks.

I'll use this for now
http://picasaweb.google.com/thechislim/ChalkonFirewall#5246667243072459602

My pictures are on webshots and it gives an address on every picture to be able to post in a forum or on a message board.

Chicago Slim, the link you used is what's prefered here, inline pics are not - see "Image Posting Policy" link to left side of every page here

Bill

On the firewall of my originally red '54 it has "com-red".
I guess for "commercial red"? Its written over by the voltage regulator. HMMMMMMM??

I am still wondering if the twin matched horns were installed at the factory or the dealer. The signature would have had to be done prior as they would have been in the way. The horns have the cloth covered factory harness with the relay mounted below.
_________________________

Found this on the underside of the grille on my 54 6400 I bought just before the truck show.
Yellow
I've got some more of these pictures from some of my other trucks but can't locate at the moment.
Steve

yes, and I would have to go look close at my 52 but tonight I can't remember what it said but there is omething on the firewall of it. I've blasted the firewall and you can still see the outline of it. MMMmmmm.