VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 The definitive paint color thread!

Dear fellow enthusiasts,

I am working my way through 248 pages of posts to learn as much as I can about my car. One thing I noticed is that every few pages, someone will ask, “What color is X?” And then a few pages later, someone will ask, “What color is Y?” It seems it would be handy to compile all this information into one easy to refer to post.

To that end, I’ve started a list of parts and colors. I don’t guarantee it’s all correct; I am only going off of information I have gleaned from posts and the occasional picture. I also may have some of the terminology incorrect. Please correct as you see fit. My hope would be that we all make additions and corrections to this list until we have one definitive, master list. Even if you just remove a question mark, that would be a big help!

My initial list is based on information for a ’41 sedan. If there are differences between models and years, we can indicate that as well.

If you have any additions and/or corrections, I suggest posting a reply in this thread, copying the entire list into your reply, and filling in the needed information. That way, the most recent post will always have the most compete, authoritative list. Sound like a plan? Here’s what I have so far:

(“Black” is generally considered a satin or semi-gloss black; “metal” or “natural” means unpainted, natural color)

Engine block: grey (paint from The Filling Station)
Valve cover: grey
Valve cover nuts: polished metal?
Rod cover on right side: grey
Engine gaskets: originally painted over when engine was painted
Harmonic balancer cover: grey
Harmonic balancer pulley: ?
Generator: black
Generator brush band: black
Generator lower attach bracket: grey
Generator upper attach bracket: ?
Water pump and pulley: grey
Fan: black
Clutch bell housing: grey
Starter (big upside down “U”) linkage on clutch: plain
Starter: black
Starter brush band: black
Starter yoke (don’t know correct term): ?
Starter linkage (~5 inch rod) to big linkage on bell housing: plain?
Copper tubing (short 3 inch piece) on left middle of engine: ?
Small metal cover on left middle side of engine: ?
Battery box and retaining cover: black
Transmission: black or natural?
Torque tube: natural?
Rear differential: ?
Rear axle:
Front suspension: all black?
Anti-sway bar and support brackets: black
Shock absorbers: ?
Brake drums and backing plate: black?
Radiator support housing: black
Radiator, except fins: black
Radiator fins: Special thin black paint for good heat exchange
Radiator cap: natural?
Manifold: natural (some use a cast iron color to avoid rusty look)
Carburetor: Natural?
Carb linkages: natural?
Carb bell crank linkage and supporting pin on engine: ?
Air filter housing: black with decal (Filling Station/Chevs of 40s) on side
Brake lines: natural
Brake master cylinder: ?
Wheels: color of body?
Firewall: body color
Underside of car (frame and under cab): black
Parking brake linkage under car: black?
Parking brake cables: natural?
Parking brake handle and linkages in cab: brown?
Fenders, underside: black
Inner sheet metal between fenders and engine: black
Horn relay on firewall: natural (cadmium color originally?)
Voltage regulator on firewall: black?
Heater hoses: natural back
Radiator hoses: natural black
Radiator/heater hoses metal elbows: ?
Steering column mast: Sickly beige/pink (available from The Filling Station)
Steering gear box: black
Steering column mast clamp at bottom, just above box: ?
Gearshift linkages off steering column mast: ?
Upper brace rods from firewall to top of radiator mount: black
Hood, underside: black
Hood, plate at front on underside: natural (at least mine is)
Hood, spring: ?
Hood latch cable sleeve: natural?
Metal fuel and vacuum lines: natural
Exhaust pipes and muffler (starting below manifold attachment): natural?
Distributer cap: black plastic
Distributor base and shaft:
Vacuum advance: natural?
Fuel pump: natural?
Dashboard: painted false wood grain
Deck lid underside: body color?
Deck lid hinges: body color?
Trunk lining: a sort of cheap, almost cardboard-feeling material. Dark greenish color in mine
Spare tire well:
Jack base:
Jack upright
Jack operating mechanism:
Jack handle:

Anything else?

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Terrific start Paul...be nice to see the 38 Chevy summary like yours...I've been gathering paint/color data but no where near complete...Billu38

I Think you'll find the valve cover nuts are grey as well. The engines were painted with the cover on. Even the edge of the gasket should be grey.

Although I have read in the past the fan was black, looking at the original footage taken in 1936 in a film called master hands on youtube it does appear as though the fan is grey. Is it possible that they changed at some time?

I agree. From the photos that I have seen the fan was gray.

Some interesting points, gentlemen. That Master Hands video on youtube really does suggest that the fan was grey, at least in 1936. There are two pretty clear shots of it: one around 15:45, and one towards the end. In both cases, I have to agree, it looks grey!
Thank you for your input.

Thank you Billu. I don't see why we can't make this list work for different years. We can certainly note differences between years for various parts.

Paul

Ok, our first update. I'm going with grey for the fan, unless someone has evidence that differs from the Master Hands video on youtube. I'm also adding References at the bottom of the list so we can document where the information came from.

Also, another promotional video on Youtube, "From Dawn to Sunset (1937)" shows the front axle, brake drums, etc. as pretty clearly black. And I think I caught a glimpse of a black torque tube.

BTW, I noticed some people paint the clutch inspection cover black. Any documented evidence available for that?

Engine block: grey (paint from The Filling Station)
Valve cover: grey
Valve cover nuts: grey?
Rod cover on right side: grey
Engine gaskets: originally painted over when engine was painted
Harmonic balancer cover: grey
Harmonic balancer pulley: ?
Generator: black
Generator brush band: black
Generator lower attach bracket: grey
Generator upper attach bracket: ?
Water pump and pulley: grey
Fan: many say black, but see Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for good evidence that it was grey in 1936.
Clutch bell housing: grey
Starter (big upside down “U”) linkage on clutch: plain
Starter: black
Starter brush band: black
Starter yoke (don’t know correct term): ?
Starter linkage (~5 inch rod) to big linkage on bell housing: plain?
Copper tubing (short 3 inch piece) on left middle of engine: ?
Small metal cover on left middle side of engine: ?
Battery box and retaining cover: black
Transmission: black or natural?
Torque tube: black (see Ref. 2, 7:23 in video, though unknown model)
Rear differential: ?
Rear axle:
Front suspension: all black. (See Ref. 2, 6:55 in video)
Anti-sway bar and support brackets: black
Shock absorbers: ?
Brake drums and backing plate: black?
Radiator support housing: black
Radiator, except fins: black
Radiator fins: Special thin black paint for good heat exchange
Radiator cap: natural?
Manifold: natural (some use a cast iron color to avoid rusty look)
Carburetor: Natural?
Carb linkages: natural?
Carb bell crank linkage and supporting pin on engine: ?
Air filter housing: black with decal (Filling Station/Chevs of 40s) on side
Brake lines: natural
Brake master cylinder: ?
Wheels: color of body?
Firewall: body color
Underside of car (frame and under cab): black
Parking brake linkage under car: black?
Parking brake cables: natural?
Parking brake handle and linkages in cab: brown?
Fenders, underside: black
Inner sheet metal between fenders and engine: black
Horn relay on firewall: natural (cadmium color originally?)
Voltage regulator on firewall: black?
Heater hoses: natural back
Radiator hoses: natural black
Radiator/heater hoses metal elbows: ?
Steering column mast: Sickly beige/pink (available from The Filling Station)
Steering gear box: black
Steering column mast clamp at bottom, just above box: ?
Gearshift linkages off steering column mast: ?
Upper brace rods from firewall to top of radiator mount: black
Hood, underside: black
Hood, plate at front on underside: natural (at least mine is)
Hood, spring: ?
Hood latch cable sleeve: natural?
Metal fuel and vacuum lines: natural
Exhaust pipes and muffler (starting below manifold attachment): natural?
Distributer cap: black plastic
Distributor base and shaft:
Vacuum advance: natural?
Fuel pump: natural (Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for 1936)
Dashboard: painted false wood grain
Deck lid underside: body color?
Deck lid hinges: body color?
Trunk lining: a sort of cheap, almost cardboard-feeling material. Dark greenish color in mine
Spare tire well:
Jack base:
Jack upright
Jack operating mechanism:
Jack handle:

References:
1. Master Hands (1936) available on Youtube
2. From Dawn to Sunset (1937) available on Youtube

The list is too general. As an example the 1939 and prior had the transmission case painted black. Was unpainted from 1940 and up.
1937 and up had black fan blades. While pictures show 1936 and prior fans that appear to be gray in real life I have seen 1934-1936 originals with black fan blades.(this has been discussed before).Complete balancer was gray.
Starter lever natural silver
Copper tube on left side of engine (rocker arm oil line) was painted with engine.
Small plate on left side of engine (pressure reg. valve cover, dipper engines, 1940-1953 ) is gray.
Rear differential, Black and painted after it was assembled but before installed on chassis. Same for front suspension on 1934-1954 Knee-action cars.
Sway bear links not painted(1939-1954)
Shocks painted black - except outer 3 inches on 1939-1948 of arm.
Brake drums and backing plates black.
Some brake lines painted - if installed on a unit that was pre painted.
Master cylinder and steering gear housing not painted.

Wheels body color but depending on year. Also in 1948 and 1949 two tone cars the wheels were the top color, most other years they were the bottom color.

Will continue on with more later.

Radiator cap natural plated.
Most carb. linkage pearts not painted....some black some natural and some may be plated.
Body of carb and tin cover painted black with exceptions.(if Carter)
Rochester , 1950 and up, not painted.
Rods from firewall to core support black.
Under side of hood 1934-1939 at least aaaa darker gray.
1941 was black.
Exhaust natural.
Volt Reg and relay covers black. Base plated.
Steering column usually matched the lower part of the dash color.The 1941 Special Deluxe and different color from the Master Deluxe.
Under side of truck lid and hinges black as that area was pianted along with body. Some of the underneath attaching parts painted and some not. Depends what was installed at time of painting.
Hood springs black.
Spare tire well black dull.
Jack base and works black, post silver handle black.

I should have answered just for 1941 - would have been easier.
My list not complete but enough for discussion for now.

Thank you Gene, for your input. I've made the necessary corrections and indicated the differences you mentioned among years.
Also, could you clarify your comment about the steering mast please? Looks like a word or two was missing. Thanks.



Engine block: grey (paint from The Filling Station)

Valve cover: grey

Valve cover nuts: grey?

Rod cover on right side: grey

Engine gaskets: originally painted over when engine was painted

Harmonic balancer cover: grey

Harmonic balancer pulley: grey (Ref. 3)

Generator: black

Generator brush band: black

Generator lower attach bracket: grey

Generator upper attach bracket: ?

Water pump and pulley: grey

Fan: many say black, but see Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for good evidence that it was grey in 1936. Also, Ref. 3 says “1937 and up had black fan blades. While pictures show 1936 and prior fans that appear to be gray in real life I have seen 1934-1936 originals with black fan blades”

Clutch bell housing: grey

Starter (big upside down “U”) linkage on clutch: plain

Starter: black

Starter brush band: black

Starter lever: natural silver (Ref. 3)

Starter linkage (~5 inch rod) to big linkage on bell housing:

Copper tubing (short 3 inch piece) on left middle of engine (rocker arm
oil line): painted grey with engine (Ref. 3)

Small plate on left side of engine (pressure reg. valve cover, dipper engines, 1940-1953): grey (Ref. 3)

Battery box and retaining cover: black

Transmission: 1939 and prior had the transmission case painted black. Was unpainted from 1940 and up. (Ref. 3)

Torque tube: black (see Ref. 2, 7:23 in video, though unknown model)

Rear differential: Black and painted after it was assembled but before installed on chassis (Ref. 3)

Rear axle:

Front suspension: all black. (See Ref. 2, 6:55 in video)

Front suspension on 1934-1954 Knee-action cars: Black and painted after it was assembled but before installed on chassis (Ref. 3)

Anti-sway bar and support brackets: black? See below
Sway bear links: not painted (1939-1954) (Ref. 3)

Shocks: painted black - except outer 3 inches on 1939-1948 of arm (Ref. 3)

Brake drums and backing plate: black (Ref. 3)

Radiator support housing: black

Radiator, except fins: black

Radiator fins: Special thin black paint for good heat exchange

Radiator cap: natural plated (Ref. 3)

Manifold: natural (some use a cast iron color to avoid rusty look)
Carburetor: Body of carb and tin cover painted black with exceptions. (if Carter) Rochester, 1950 and up, not painted. (Ref. 3)

Carb linkages: Most carb. linkage parts not painted....some black some natural and some may be plated.

Carb bell crank linkage and supporting pin on engine: ?

Air filter housing: black with decal (Filling Station/Chevs of 40s) on side

Brake lines: natural, but some brake lines painted - if installed on a unit that was pre painted (Ref. 3)

Brake master cylinder: not painted (Ref. 3)

Wheels: color of body?

Firewall: body color

Underside of car (frame and under cab): black

Parking brake linkage under car: black?

Parking brake cables: natural?

Parking brake handle and linkages in cab: brown?

Fenders, underside: black

Inner sheet metal between fenders and engine: black

Horn relay on firewall: natural (cadmium color originally?)

Voltage regulator and relay covers: black. Base plated. (Ref. 3)

Heater hoses: natural back

Radiator hoses: natural black

Radiator/heater hoses metal elbows: ?

Steering column mast: Steering column usually matched the lower part of the dash color. The 1941 Special Deluxe and different color from the Master Deluxe. (Ref. 3)

Steering gear box: not painted (Ref. 3)

Steering column mast clamp at bottom, just above box: ?

Gearshift linkages off steering column mast: ?

Upper brace rods from firewall to top of radiator core support: black (Ref. 3)

Hood, underside: 1934-1939 at least a darker gray. 1941 was black (Ref. 3)

Hood, plate at front on underside: natural (at least mine is)

Hood, spring: black (Ref. 3)

Hood latch cable sleeve: natural?

Metal fuel and vacuum lines: natural

Exhaust pipes and muffler (starting below manifold attachment): natural (Ref. 3)

Distributer cap: black plastic

Distributor base and shaft:

Vacuum advance: natural?

Fuel pump: natural (Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for 1936)

Dashboard: painted false wood grain

Deck lid underside: Under side of truck lid and hinges black as that area was painted along with body. Some of the underneath attaching parts were painted and some not. Depends what was installed at time of painting. (Ref. 3)

Deck lid hinges: body color?

Trunk lining: a sort of cheap, almost cardboard-feeling material. Dark greenish color in mine

Spare tire well: dull black (Ref. 3)

Jack base and works black, post silver handle black. (Ref. 3)


References:
1. Master Hands (1936) available on Youtube
2. From Dawn to Sunset (1937) available on Youtube
3. Chevgene in this thread

Without going back to see what I wrote was on the fly at the time) I will re-explain a few things and make it 1941 exclusive..
First the parking brake lever was a darker brown color. For some reason it didn't match anything.
The steering column (mast jacket) was the rose/biege same as the lower dash (except Fleetline and Easter models) as was the shift rod attached to it. On the Master Deluxe the column was the more light brown color - same as the entire dash Will note that the gold wood grain dash on a 1941 S.D. was one of the best looking dashes of any year.
Also note your Fleetline had some differences. Such as the lower part of the dash and garnish mouldings were wood grained and was the trim on the back of the front seat. Also the only model that had that trim. Upholstery was also different.
Under side of trunk lid. Anything that attached to the lid that had body color paint under it was not on the lid when it was painted.The latch also was not installed. The lid was on the car though.

same for the doors.
Hood and front fenders were painted at the Chevrolet plant while the body was painted at the Fisher Body plant and it was usaully connected to the Chev. plant.
The engine was painted as a unit with the flywheel housing and its covers, water pump, balancer and all manifolds attached. The spark plugs were even installed and little paper covers were slipped over the porcelain part. You could always tell iif it was the first tune-up if the car had the original spark plugs as the metal part had the gray paint on it.
The shift and carburetor linkages was different colors depending on what Chevrolet made them out of.
The stud on the side of the block got painted gray.
At this time the colors of the generator brackets escapes my memory.

Dp you have pictures of your 1941 Fleetline?

Gene, you are an amazing source of information! I have read many of your posts here and am constantly impressed by the details you know. How did you accumulate all this knowledge??

I've incorporated the latest comments of yours in the list. Thank you Gene.

Note: Many of these colors were provided by Gene. To keep it simple, he has focused on the '41, so some colors may vary in other years/models.

Engine block: grey (paint from The Filling Station)

Valve cover: grey

Valve cover nuts: grey?

Rod cover on right side: grey

Engine gaskets: originally painted over when engine was painted

Harmonic balancer cover: grey

Harmonic balancer pulley: grey (Ref. 3)

Generator: black

Generator brush band: black

Generator lower attach bracket: grey

Generator upper attach bracket: ?

Water pump and pulley: grey

Fan: many say black, but see Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for good evidence that it was grey in 1936. Also, Ref. 3 says “1937 and up had black fan blades. While pictures show 1936 and prior fans that appear to be gray in real life I have seen 1934-1936 originals with black fan blades”

Clutch bell housing: grey

Starter (big upside down “U”) linkage on clutch: plain

Starter: black

Starter brush band: black

Starter lever: natural silver (Ref. 3)

Starter linkage (~5 inch rod) to big linkage on bell housing:

Copper tubing (short 3 inch piece) on left middle of engine (rocker arm oil line): painted grey with engine (Ref. 3)

Small plate on left side of engine (pressure reg. valve cover, dipper engines, 1940-1953): grey (Ref. 3)

Battery box and retaining cover: black

Transmission: 1939 and prior had the transmission case painted black. Was unpainted from 1940 and up. (Ref. 3)

Torque tube: black (see Ref. 2, 7:23 in video, though unknown model)

Rear differential: Black and painted after it was assembled but before installed on chassis (Ref. 3)

Rear axle:

Front suspension: all black. (See Ref. 2, 6:55 in video)

Front suspension on 1934-1954 Knee-action cars: Black and painted after it was assembled but before installed on chassis (Ref. 3)

Anti-sway bar and support brackets: black? See below
Sway bear links: not painted (1939-1954) (Ref. 3)

Shocks: painted black - except outer 3 inches on 1939-1948 of arm (Ref. 3)

Brake drums and backing plate: black (Ref. 3)

Radiator support housing: black

Radiator, except fins: black

Radiator fins: Special thin black paint for good heat exchange

Radiator cap: natural plated (Ref. 3)

Manifold: natural (some use a cast iron color to avoid rusty look)

Carburetor: Body of carb and tin cover painted black with exceptions. (if Carter) Rochester, 1950 and up, not painted. (Ref. 3)

Carb linkages: Most carb. linkage parts not painted....some black some natural and some may be plated. “The shift and carburetor linkages were different colors depending on what Chevrolet made them out of.” (Ref. 3)

Carb bell crank linkage and supporting pin on engine: grey (Ref. 3)

Air filter housing: black with decal (Filling Station/Chevs of 40s) on side

Brake lines: natural, but some brake lines painted - if installed on a unit that was pre painted (Ref. 3)

Brake master cylinder: not painted (Ref. 3)

Wheels: Wheels body color but depending on year. Also, in 1948 and 1949 two tone cars, the wheels were the top color, most other years they were the bottom color. (Ref. 3)

Firewall: body color

Underside of car (frame and under cab): black

Parking brake linkage under car: black?

Parking brake cables: natural?

Parking brake handle and linkages in cab: The parking brake lever was a darker brown color. For some reason it didn't match anything. (Ref. 3)

Fenders, underside: black

Inner sheet metal between fenders and engine: black

Horn relay on firewall: natural (cadmium color originally?)

Voltage regulator and relay covers: black. Base plated. (Ref. 3)

Heater hoses: natural back

Radiator hoses: natural black

Radiator/heater hoses metal elbows: ?

Steering column mast: Steering column usually matched the lower part of the dash color. The steering column (mast jacket) was the rose/beige same as the lower dash (except Fleetline and Easter models) as was the shift rod attached to it. On the Master Deluxe the column was the more light brown color - same as the entire dash. Will note that the gold wood grain dash on a 1941 S.D. was one of the best looking dashes of any year. (Ref. 3)

Steering gear box: not painted (Ref. 3)

Steering column mast clamp at bottom, just above box: ?

Gearshift linkages off steering column mast: ?

Upper brace rods from firewall to top of radiator core support: black (Ref. 3)

Hood, underside: 1934-1939 at least a darker gray. 1941 was black (Ref. 3)

Hood, plate at front on underside: natural (at least mine is)

Hood, spring: black (Ref. 3)

Hood latch cable sleeve: natural?

Metal fuel and vacuum lines: natural

Exhaust pipes and muffler (starting below manifold attachment): natural (Ref. 3)

Distributor cap: black plastic

Distributor base and shaft:

Vacuum advance: natural?

Fuel pump: natural (Ref. 1 @ 15:40 for 1936)

Dashboard: painted false wood grain

Trunk lid underside: Under side of truck lid and hinges black (Gene, did you mean body color?) as that area was painted along with body. Some of the underneath attaching parts were painted and some not. Depends what was installed at time of painting. Anything that attached to the lid that had body color paint under it was not on the lid when it was painted. The latch also was not installed. The lid was on the car though. (Ref. 3)

Trunk lid hinges: see above.

Trunk lining: a sort of cheap, almost cardboard-feeling material. Dark greenish color in mine

Doors: Same as Trunk lid underside (Ref. 3)

Spare tire well: dull black (Ref. 3)

Jack base and works black, post silver handle black. (Ref. 3)


References:
1. Master Hands (1936) available on Youtube
2. From Dawn to Sunset (1937) available on Youtube
3. Chevgene in this thread

Some additional notes courtesy of Gene (Chevgene):

Also note the Fleetline had some differences. Such as, the lower part of the dash and garnish moldings were wood grained and was the trim on the back of the front seat. Also the only model that had that trim. Upholstery was also different.

Hood and front fenders were painted at the Chevrolet plant while the body was painted at the Fisher Body plant and it was usually connected to the Chev. plant. (Ref. 3)

The engine was painted as a unit with the flywheel housing and its covers, water pump, balancer and all manifolds attached. The spark plugs were even installed and little paper covers were slipped over the porcelain part.

You could always tell if it was the first tune-up if the car had the original spark plugs as the metal part had the gray paint on it.

Under side of trunk lid and hinges body color.
The tar paper like insulating material behind the lid panel/reinforcement is not painted.