Color of some '57 parts

[Michael Jones]

I'm doing some underhood painting and noticed in Tom Falconer's book: "Original Corvettes, 1953-1962" that the arm which allows for adjustment of the generator and fan belt is Chevy Orange. Mine is black. Which is correct?

Thanks,

Mike

[James F.]

Re: Color of some '57 parts

Michael,
The Judging Guide says the brace should be painted Chevy Orange (same as block and was painted at the same time) except for possibly some mid to late '57 braces being painted black. Regards,

[John H.]

Re: Color of some '57 parts

The generator brace started life as part of the engine assembly from Flint, and was painted along with the engine. At some point in 1957, it was re-assigned as a St.Louis-installed part, and indicated as such in the A.I.M. (Section 6, Sheet 9.00); at that point it was received raw at St. Louis, dip-primed black, and installed on the engine dress line. This breakpoint is not clear, and "mid-1957" is about as close as it gets.

Having spent most of my life in assembly plants, I expect it was re-assigned from Flint Engine to St. Louis as a result of it being damaged frequently when placing engines in shipping racks and removing them from the racks, or when stacking and un-stacking racks, as it's a pretty delicate part to have sticking way out above and outboard of the engine.

[Dave Suesz]

In Noland Adams' book...

You can see in several photographs taken at the time, starting in '55, that the generator adjusting arm was clearly black. I did a lot of squinting at this book when I received my NCRS guide last year. In this instance, I belive the NCRS use of the word "all" is an error.

[Michael Jones]

I painted it Chevy Orange!

I painted it Chevy Orange based on the preponderance of evidence. Besides, it's an early '57 VIN #719 (November build).

Mike