VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 1948 Gas Tank Straps Finish

I'm finally in the process of putting things back on my car instead of taking them off (!) and I'm ready to install the gas tank on my '48 convertible. Probably 10 years ago, I had painted the gas tank straps black, but as I look at them now, I imagine they were probably originally unpainted, natural finish? What is the correct finish for the straps that hold my gas tank up? Thanks in advance!

I have in my possession an internal company memo that says all 48 convertible gas tank straps are to be painted black. It was in response to a practical joke perpetrated on the gas tank strap inspector by the line works who knowing that the inspector was color blind started sending cars through with various color straps.

With all due respect to those of us who are dedicated accurate restoration and preservation of these fine old cars, I'm afraid that some of us are going to hell for insisting on keeping original sin! Included may be the judge who takes off points for wrong color gas tank straps. My vote is to keep the black straps black and add one more driving day by subtracting the strap refinishing day from the 10 plus years you have been restoring.

True story: While restoring a 1947 Hudson I came across some brass screws later explained by a company historical document which explained that line workers had been sent out to scower hardware stores for fasteners to keep the line running in spite of post war shortages of supplies. Conclusion: If the originals weren't original; one, with a sense of humor, might want to draw the line somewhere.

decarter: It is the same 1948 that is maroon in color, has a rebuilt 216, rebuilt suspension, brakes, tranny and is ready to be reassembled? I think that I have seen your car. Will it be on the six cylinder tour this year in Galena, Illinois?

dtm

Paulsfc1947 - Thanks for the insight on the gas tank straps. Unless we get some conflicting advice here in the near future, I guess they'll stay black!

The Toolman - I'm afraid that even with the gas tank installed, the 48 isn't going to make the Galena tour this year. The 2010 Six Cylinder Tour is the goal.

Do you by any chance know how long the bolts are that the straps attach to? I can't seem to find the ones I took out of my trunk floor...

I have a '48 convertible and I've never had the tank off. Just looked at the straps and they are black. Mine was assembled in St.Louis.

Thanks for checking and confirming the color. Guess that makes it unanimous.

Seems like I might be talking to you frequently in the future as I try to sort out how everything goes back together. I take it your gas tank is the natural or gray steel finish that I've seen?

Thanks again!

I was at the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum's Restoration Facility a couple of weeks ago. They had one vintage car under restoration in which they just put the gasoline in a metal coffee can with a hose attached to ther bottom of the coffee can. They then let gavity flow the gas down to the carb. If you use their method, you will not have to worry about the finish on the gas tank straps.
I have one photo of a 1940 Chevy that appears to be a factory photo. It shows black or a very dark color on the gas tank straps.

dtm

Dale,
The straps were black.
I was at the Middle West Meet the last few days

Thanks, Gene. I appreciate the confirmation. Black they'll be! See you in September.

Under the straps, at least, there was no paint on my tank.

The tank was made from a rust resistant steel and was not painted (1935 and up)

Thanks to both of you for the gas tank finish information. One step closer to completion.