Suspension Component Finishes (1965)

[James W.]

I have a question regarding the finishes on the front suspension components on a '65 Corvette that I am restoring. Per the judging guide the front suspension spindle/knuckle assembly finish is to be natural steel/iron. What has been the success of using the diamond clear coating or cast blast paint on these items? I guess my question is what kind of originality point deduct will I see if I use either one of these coatings? The same goes for the drive shaft, half shafts, strut rods and rear differential. I know they are to be a natural finish, but I don't want them to rust right away.

Thanks,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Jack H.]

Re: Suspension Component Finishes (1965)

The answer is pretty straight forward, Jim. Absent specific guidelines to the contrary (advice in the Judging Guide, advice in the Standard Deduction Tables of the NCRS Judging Reference Manual), judges are to split the originality points for a given item into a 5-axis universe: Finish, Date, Installation, Configuration & Completeness. For each detectable deviation from known typical factory production method(s), you lose 20% of the available originality points.

The keyword is DETECTABLE. If you're able to devise a coating that is NOT obviously different from factory original (natural or as-cast/machined in this case), there's no deduction. However, if the coating is detectable (and that will vary with the specifics of who's judging and his/her experience level), then expect to lose 20% of the available originality points for that item....