VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Paint color for 1928 Chevrolet 1-Ton

Does anyone know what the factory original colors were for a 1928 Chevrolet Capital 1-Ton Truck? Also, was just the metal painted or also the exposed wood?

As far as I have learned it is extremely hard to find color chips earlier than 1932 around. The first came in 1927? and they are painted on metal sheets. There are printed lists sold on eBay(1925 - 1932) showing the names and #s. You could check this page (passenger car 1928:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1928-chevrolet-pg01.jpg

I would think the colors would be the same for passenger cars and trucks. If not, the truck colors should be brighter, like red, yellow etc..

As a member of the VCCA you could check with the TA for 1928 trucks. I'm guessing it would be Blue Bell Blue.
Dan.

Thanks! The link is useful and should point me in the right direction.

I don't have time to look up the info on truck paint but believe the standard color for '28 trucks is green. Blue Bell Blue was standard in 1930-32. The colors used on trucks was not generally the same as passenger cars particularily in later years. However, in this case it might be the same in 1928. Also commercial vehicles were often factory painted a color requested by the purchaser, particularily if several were purchased as a group or the company had standard colors and Chevrolet wanted the business.

Chevrolet had standard colors for there trucks and some optional colors and as my 1930 Chevrolet pamphlet to the dealers states "Chevrolet truck bodies are solidly built to high standards of reliability and durability. And finally,they are distributed and serviced by sixty Chevrolet body branches, which carry a full line of Chevrolet body parts, and are equipped to do painting and lettering to order."

The cowl on all 1921 - 22 G trux was green. All other Chevrolet trux were black until 1929. In 1929 and 1930, the body on the One Ton was Bluebell Blue and the chassis was black. The half ton chassis was black.
In 1931 Chevrolet bought the Martin - Parry body plant at Indianapolis. This was the first year Chevrolet offered bodies for half ton trucks and a variety of colors on all trux. Only Duco Dulux enamel was available on trux. Fisher passenger cars were available with Duco Lacquer after 1925.
For more details see: <http://home.znet.com/c1937/paint.htm>.

According to the copies of 1928 Chevrolet and Body Company literature the chassis sheet metal, hood and radiator shell were supplied by Chevrolet in Black. Chevrolet supplied cabs were black. Cabs supplied by body builders, for example Springfield were other colors including Salon Blue (Duco & Lacquer), Biscay Green (Pyroxylin lacquer).

The Chevrolet and other literature that I have indicates that Blue Bell Blue was the standard truck color beginning in 1930. I have not been able to verify a standard truck color for 1929. Also beginning with 1929 the trucks were classified as 1 1/2 ton up from the 1 ton rating in 1928.

Another fact that I uncovered in my reseach for this reply is that Fisher did build the truck cabs in 1927 and 1928. Likely also made them in 1929 and 1930 but don't have documentation for that yet.

My 1929 to 1935 Chevrolet Body parts List indicates all Chevrolet closed cabs for 1929 and 1930 were the same. No wood parts listed except for roof components. Sheet metal listed are cowl, windshield, doors, cab back panel upper & lower, roof metal. Closed cabs for the 1/2 ton were not offered in 1929 only for LQ 1.5 ton trucks. Outside body builders supplied cabs for 1/2 tons. Body builders would paint any colors available for a price.

First, I want to thank all of you that replied.
Here are some additional clues that I want to share. The truck was never restored, but may have been repainted some years ago. When I bought the bushel basket project, all sheet metal was separated from wood components and stripped of paint(chemically). On the wood parts, most of the wood is natural, but there are some areas of the grain that contained bright green and burgundy colors. Under some of the hardware, both burgundy and a Dk. Green can be seen in small areas where the paint seeped under. The Burgundy is medium in hue and somewhat whitish undertone. The side and apron splash guards, radiator shroud, running boards and chassis were all Black. I would like to paint it with a period color and leave the wood natural if that was original equipment style.

Most of the wood parts used by Chevrolet or Fisher Body had a chromate or copper wood preservative on it. It gave a greenish cast to the wood.

Chipper,
Thanks! I have access to chromate pigments and can research wood treatment practices and formulations for that time period. As far as paint color for the cab, I appreciate all the advice and need to get ahold of color chips or color data.

BTW -I registered for chat over a year ago and after reading some other posts, just realized that I need to send in my form for full VCCA membership. It will be in the mail tomorrow!Thanks again!

Welcome aboard. It takes some people a little longer to realize what a great bunch is the VCCA family. Unfortunately some never do.

Modern wood preservatives might be a better option. Some of the older stuff is more hazardous and can do more harm to the environment.