VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Interior paint and patterns

I am in the midst of a frame off restoration of my dad's 1954 Chevy Bel Air Two Door hardtop (non-Sport coupe). I've decided to change the color scheme from Horizon Blue/Ivory to Turquoise/Ivory so it will match what my dad had when he owned his original car (he purchased this second one in the 70's and he and I restored it when I was in high school; he always lamented that it wasn't his original color). The shop is getting ready to paint the body and they've asked to verify the interior paint scheme (specifically the dash). I can't find anything official on the colors and scheme that were used on the interiors in 1954. I know generally that it is turquoise on the top dash and ivory below the chrome, but I want it to be as exact as possible.

Part of my concern is that on the original Horizon Blue/Ivory combo, the upper dash and window trim was a dark blue metallic color; thus, I want to make sure that there isn't a slightly different turquoise color for the interior than the exterior (e.g. a more metallic version).

I've looked at lots of pictures online, but none are definitive enough for me to give the shop the green light to shoot. I also can't tell if the cowling around the instrument panel is chrome or painted - seems to vary based on photos.

I'll also need to get the door panel and seat covers to match, but I'll save that for another post! ;-)

Doing the research on the interior door panels and seat covers now may help to find the correct matching paint color. I would contact companies that supply interiors to see what information they can supply.

I would like to begin by first saying to prevent future confusion do not refer to your Bel Air 2 door as a hardtop. The Bel Air Sport Coupe was a (2door) hardtop. The 2 door would more correctly be a post 2 door. The hard top description came along in 1949 when GM introduced the firt "hard top" convertibles.The Convertible name was soon droppped and pillarless coupes were often refered to just as hard tops.
The Bel Air had chrome trim on the ends of the instrument panel.

The turquoise for the interior was thae same as the exterior color. The lower dash, steering column, inner steering wheel spokes, steering column and gear shift lever and shaft were aindia Ivory, same as the exterior.The "horn button" cap was turquoise. unless it has power steering.
A 1954 Engineering Manual would be a great help. Available from the Filling Station for a small charge.

Hi Gene - Thanks for your reply and for the correction. I was trying to make it clear that it wasn't the sport or convertible models, but was a 2 door - so now I know!

Unfortunately it doesn't look like Filling Station has an Engineering Manual available for 1954 Chevys; I ordered the shop manual in case that helps and sent them an email to make sure I didn't just miss it, but if you have any other suggestions, I am all ears! I'll keep looking in other places too...

I've already gone through about 40 pages of chat posts and made note of all the great advice you've given on engine part painting, so I will pass all of that along to the crew. I very much appreciate the guidance!

If you send me your email address I can send you some pictures from the dealer show room album

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/54index.htm

This link may have some useful data for you.

Thanks, drtyler! That's exactly the resource I was hoping to find! I just sent the link to the shop...the funny thing is that I even looked at that site and didn't spot it, so thanks for tracking it down!

Specific follow up, because there appears to be conflicting information. There is a part that goes around the main instrument panel and above the steering column. The outer portion of this part was painted dark blue on the original car; I received information that said this part was actually chrome on Bel Airs. Does anyone have the definitive word if I should paint it turquoise or have it chromed?

If you are refering to the chrome casting (oval) that goes around the instruments...The outter part is painted (probably to reduce windshield reflection) and the inner surfaces are painted dash color....on all models.

Follow up - everything is painted and the restoration looks great! However, I ordered an interior kit from Ciadella and the door panels aren't right - they used vinyl material for both colors on the panels, and I know that the darker color was gabardine. I've requested material from Hampton/LeBaron, but if there are other good recommendations for interior suppliers, I would love to hear them.

Also, the specs imply that the shelf below the back window should be Ivory, but what Ciadella sent was turquoise. Which is correct?

The early models had the cloth the late models had all vinyl.
The only picture I can find of the rear package shelf is a 2 door hard top. Two tone red car with red and ivory interior and the package shelf is red.
The aqua and ivory 1955 BelAir I purchased new had the ivory vinyl on top of the seats and an aqua package shelf.

Interesting, Gene - and thank you!...The original panels had cloth, so even though I am changing the color of the car, I am thinking that I want it to match the original style...

Here's another question on interior paint color. We've been trying to get the right color for the heating venting, which can be seen under the passenger side. The first color was supposed to match, but it is substantially lighter (almost a silver) than what the parts were when we took it apart (which was more like a charcoal gray). Did the color of these components change depending on the overall color scheme, or should they all be that dark gray? Any official source on this color?

They were all a dark gray. What I did with the ducts on my 1957 is take them to a parts store that sells Dupli-color spray paint and match from there.