1963 Exhaust blackout

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Seems to be beau coup confusion on the topic; all I can attest to is how my May '63 car looked underneath when I got it; mufflers completely blackened out along with the half-shafts. No idea if it was factory or an over-zealous previous owner...

[Joseph S.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

By the shape of the exhaust, location of the Ebrake cables and black shocks, I would say that is a 63 Chassis.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Seems to be beau coup confusion on the topic; all I can attest to is how my May '63 car looked underneath when I got it; mufflers completely blackened out along with the half-shafts. No idea if it was factory or an over-zealous previous owner...

Paint on the fiberglass and gas tank would suggest an overzealous previous owner. The body and chassis were not together when the chassis blackout was done, no matter what the year.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Joe is correct, John's presentation pic is a 63, note the 63-only e-brake pivot on the far frame rail.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Thanks guys I should have looked closer as I remember John talking '63s.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Here is a photo from John Hinckley's presentation on the St. Louis chassis process. I think this is a '65 (?), and I have seen '65 pictures with the entire exhaust blacked out, up to the exhaust manifold, but this one shows little if any:

Mike, there are some nice details of this picture, For one just about everything shows black out at the rear except maybe top of diff.also I noted the drivers side front pipe is not installed yet on this chassis. steering box is total black out, cannot quite tell about the pitman arm but appear to be, noted that the rear brake drum has a hash mark. So one has to wonder about where this chassis is? appears to be on the assy. line, as the tracks are under it. Now I think that this why chassis judges like myself see this and do not take points while judging. When I restored my 63, I followed the old 4th edition judging and left everything natural, Either seems to be accepted. today with 5th its spelled out natural for most of the rear components.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

I agree Ed, when I judge chassis I also don't take points off blackout or no.

[Jack M.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

FYI- As a reminder, the 1963 Pilot Build Photos show significant blackout being sprayed (note images #83-86):
http://www.deansgarage.com/2015/1963...-build-photos/
Then again, I'm also speculating the build process evolved over time.

[Alan D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

So here are some originals from a 64. Forgot who's picture it is from, but me thinks 63/64 and more must have been dealer modified with the black stuff cause if on car ding, ding, ding! Oh sorry for those words - and that's why I no longer go.

[J A.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

When I have done the black-out on the exhausts, it is from the "Top-down" so the runs should be running down the pipes from the top. 63's are all different, I've seen most unrestored ones with black-out.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

A couple things I saved on the topic. I should have more from Mike and John but my "file system" is not so organized.

Imagine the problems I had/have trying to convince the 63-64 guys that almost everything on the rear suspension/drive was coated with chassis black. Mike Hanson


He's talking about chassis blackout, which was done just prior to Body Drop; by '67, it was pretty much confined only to the sides of the mufflers, with some degree of overspray on the sides of the spare tire tub. John Hinckley

The chassis blackout process was supposed to include the front sway bar. It was never completely coated but did receive a coat on the top side. Often, runs and drips are seen at the bottom of the bar. No one can say that every 67 had a coated bar but at the same time, it's really not logical to say that NO 67 had a coated bar.

The well known untouched 7000 mile red 67 435 HP bullet hole car had a LOT of chassis black on the top half of the bar.

If I remember correctly, there may be some pictures in the Noland Adams book that show drips/runs of chassis black on the bottom side of the bar. Mike Hanson