1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

[David B.]

I am in the process of rebuilding my '57 rear differential and brake system, new axle bearings, etc.

Question #1: I am refinishing the rear brake backing plates. They have a blue paint finish on the inner axle side under the dirt. Is that the correct factory finish? If so, I suppose the fronts should also have the same color?

Question #2: What is the correct color of the differential case (i.e. "pig snout")? I have seen some of them a red rust paint color and some black. What is correct please?

Thanks to all.
David

[mike mccagh]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

backing plate were black. blue may have been an inspectors brush mark but entiore backing plate was black. 57 pass car differential housings were red oxide but i paint my 57 differentials black.good luck, mike

[David B.]

1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Thanks Mike : )

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

The Corvette rear axle was painted semi-gloss black as a complete finished assembly (including the parking brake cables) before being racked for shipment from Detroit Gear & Axle.

[David B.]

1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Excellent info. Thanks John. As a matter of fact, I happen to be replacing the brake cables and lines in the process. Thanks David

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

John

How do you account for rear ends painted a red/rust color on C1's..or am I reading your post incorrectly about the complete rear axle being painted black.

regards

joe

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Joe -

Can't account for Corvette axles that are rust/red (or pass. car axles either), but Detroit G&A painted Corvette axles black (the spec is on the axle assembly drawings), then they got shot again with "chassis black" in the blackout booth just prior to body drop. Also have numerous archival photos that show the axles painted black in-process on the frame upside-down line, and magazine road test photos taken on hoists that also show the black-painted axles. It was cheap paint, and probably didn't last very long in regular use.

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

John ..I was referring to the pumpkin rear end color

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Joe -

Yup, I was too - the C1 axles were painted at Detroit G&A as completed assemblies (including the pumpkin, brake drums and parking brake cables), then went into the shipping racks.

[mike mccagh]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

john: complete coverage of e-brake cables? mike

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Okay..I need to get back under the '54 George Moore/Eb Rose car and the '57 Nassau/Daytona car..as I remember both rear ends being painted the rust red color..when I was searching for the codes.

They would not be standard production anyways as both assemblies were either special order through Engineering or through the SEDCO program. Even the rear end codes that I found..I have not been able to decode.

I will take another look and let you know what I find.

What I still like about these 2 old cars..is they keep giving and giving.

The nassau car has the original special shortened steering column and properly marked steering gear. I think these too were special ordered from Detroit G&A for the racing program.

Joe

[Art A.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

John, wasn't it CHEVROLET Gear and Axle or were they one and the same? As I recall C G&A was at 9 mile and Mound.

Art

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

John

A quick re-check of the unrestored rear axles in my 54 w/57 rear end
( transpant in 57 ) and the 57 Nassau car..both rear axle assemblies are black with orange snouts!

Joe

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Backing Plate and Differential Color

Art -

Yup, it was Chevrolet-Detroit Gear & Axle (now part of American Axle).