'71 Fuel cap color

[Kenneth T.]

My original fuel cap has a couple of dings and a worn finish. I was thinking of having it restored. Then I viewed NOS caps where the finish seems too bright. Is it worth re-doing my old cap or just buying a "new" one?

See my original and a pic of an NOS one, and some are even brighter than this example.

Ken

[Jack H.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

The NOS cap is from a different time frame due to its gold dichromate wash. It's factory concours correct for '73 and later cars.

The cap used in '71 is described in the Judging Guide text and you'll find there are early and late versions. Both are silver (cad/zinc) finished with the early version having a stick-on 'Caution' label and later caps having the caution notice embossed into the lid.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

The NOS cap is from a different time frame due to its gold dichromate wash. It's factory concours correct for '73 and later cars.

The cap used in '71 is described in the Judging Guide text and you'll find there are early and late versions. Both are silver (cad/zinc) finished with the early version having a stick-on 'Caution' label and later caps having the caution notice embossed into the lid.

Jack,
My car is a late July build, so the lighter cad/zinc on mine is ok? Maybe I will just leave it alone and take a deduct for the dents.

[Joe L.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

Jack,
My car is a late July build, so the lighter cad/zinc on mine is ok? Maybe I will just leave it alone and take a deduct for the dents.

Kenneth-----


The chromate overplate used on these caps was not really very durable. I think what's happened is that yours has deteriorated over the years. Originally, it probably looked a lot closer to the new cap you have pictured than how it appears now. Otherwise, your cap is configured correctly for a late 1971.

[Mike E.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

My 30k mile 71 LT-1 convertible is #21653 (148 fro the end) and still has the cap with the red caution label. FWIW

[Joe L.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

My 30k mile 71 LT-1 convertible is #21653 (148 fro the end) and still has the cap with the red caution label. FWIW

Mike-----


Perhaps both style caps were used randomly through the end of 1971. Checking the AIM, it indicates that the 3994339 cap (the one in Kenneth's photo) replaced the 3983384 (the one with the red label) on July 7, 1970. Of course, it would have been at least several weeks after that before the change likely occurred on the assembly line. Nevertheless, it would certainly seem like the 3994339 cap would have showed up on the assembly line prior to the end of 1971 PRODUCTION.

[Terry M.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

It is also possible that as late as Mike's car is (148 from the end) that they were cleaning out the supply of 1971 gas caps in anticipation of the different style 1972 cap. And they finally reached the bottom of the box as his car came by.

[Warren F.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

My '71's are #12659, a Mar 18 trim tag date and has the original cap with red metal label. My other one #15065 a Apr 20 trim tag date, does not have the red metal label.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

My car was built on the last day of production 21701 thru 21801 I am number 21715. In the middle of it as always

Ken

[Gerard Q.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

My May 26th 71 gas cap.

[Robert E.]

Re: '71 Fuel cap color

Hi Ken, I'm the owner of 21701, the first off the line that day, and my cap is exactly the same as yours. No label, and not gold dichromate.

Robert
41801

My car was built on the last day of production 21701 thru 21801 I am number 21715. In the middle of it as always

Ken