VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 76 C20 Rear Bumper Color?

Greetings all. My wife & I just recently inherited her grandfather's 1976 C20 longbed farm truck. Its an original 35,000 mile workhorse that has seen its share of abuse but overall is clean and solid.



The rims & stamped steel hubcaps are pitted but I found some NOS ones and a clean set of 8-lug rims I plan on painting the original white. I also have to repaint the white front bumper.

My question is the rear bumper needs to be replaced (dented beyond repair) and its silver / grey in color. Its a diamond plate step bumper and I don't know if its original to the truck. Our intent is to slowly restore this old workhorse to factory original since its a family heirloom and it has all the paperwork since new.

What color should the new bumper be painted? White or silver?

Thanks all,

Bumpers were optional and the rear bumper most likely came painted silver,you would think it would be painted the same color as the front but I had plenty with white front bumpers and silver step bumpers. I am working on a truck now with the same color of bumpers but will have them both powder coated silver.

dealers of that era ordered many of the trucks without rear bumpers and installed painted bumpers with the dealer's name inscribed on them, especially on the low end work trucks. white was the color of choice around here with silver coming in second

I had an 81 C20 that had a white front and a silver rear.If I remember, the back bumper was optional.The front came with the truck.

The truck came with a front bumper only. If a genuine Chevrolet step bumper was installed it would have been silver. I suppose they chose silver because it would have looked better if the truck had a chrome front bumper.

This is great info. Thank you all for your help, and such quick replies! Now I just need some nice weather and some paint :)

My father owned a contracting company in those days and I remember if the trucks came with a factory step bumper it was always argent / silver. If a aftermarket bumper was installed it was usually white with a black one showing up once in the while. Gene is right on as usual.
Don