58 Differential Finish

[Dennis G.]

I have researched the Judging Manual and Archives to find out information on the proper finish for the differential. One posting said the entire rear end was painted at one time including the bolts holding the pumpkin in the housing. Is that correct and did that include the driveshaft yoke and dust shield for the seal? Was the tag identifying the ratio put on later as it appears that isn't painted. How about the positration tag around the fill plug, painted or natural?

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Hi Dennis, I would paint the rearend as an assembly, mask the pinion/yoke area, all else gets a shot of tar based el cheapo paint. Believe the springs and u bolts were attached also and painted at that time along with brake assemblies, drums etc. Pretty much all black, not pretty but got the job done!
Dan

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Here's shots of mine during restoration and prior to the body drop. Maybe this will help.

[Stewart A.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Ted is your car finished. if it is have you got photos of the car you could send me or even more resto photos. looks like a lengthy resto. Stewy

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Yes it is finished and made it to the Nationals and Waco for flight judging last year. Any specific areas you're looking for?

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Ted, that is one nice job! It's hard not to fall in love with a well detailed chassis, however, I remember taking gasoline to my 58's original rear springs to remove the black paint (tar based) which was covering the silver main leaf. Even the front stabilizer had a half moon covering that dripped around it. To spray that stuff all over your front and rear suspension would make it butt ugly, but also more like the General made it. With the time and labor to do one of these cars, it is a judgement call by the owner as to how to preserve and present his car. Nice to see correct details in the light of day!
Dan

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Thanks Dan, We did some chassis blackout before the body drop but we figured this chassis was standing between the St. Louis worker and clocking out that Friday so he didn't do a great job of blacking it all out . Actually, I was willing to take the judging deducts verses as you said making it "butt ugly".

I have been very pleased with how the car has done in judging. It has been to 3 meets and made top flight at all 3. The first was at the local chapter meet where it scored over 98. At Nationals, it had some ops issues that hurt it. The cigarette lighter didn't want to work, the dash lights didn't want to work, and for some reason on a 99* day the high idle didn't want to work. The 56/57 guys were packing ice around their choke housings so now I know the trick. So at Nationals it scored a 96.7 with 60 points off for those 3 items. Since the intent is to Duntov the car I took it to Waco after the Nationals and it scored a 98.1. That score is thanks to many of folks on this board and some email exchanges with Tim Mickey.

The interesting part about the car is it is a highly optioned true "black" '58 verses a charcoal car. So far it's the newest '58 I've seen. It's exactly 40 from the end of production so it was built next to the last day according to the birthday book.

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Here's a couple of pics of the before and after of the car

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Ted, hope to see it at San Jose!!!!!
Dan

[Stewart A.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Ted inside my trunk mine also says Black. It's kind of freaky to see it for the first time. Have you any close ups of the front of the chassis with motor out and in. Stewy

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Stewart is your's a '60? For '58 black was a rare color and didn't come out until late in '58.

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Stewart, Here's a few shots that may help.

[Dennis G.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Thanks Dan and Ted for the replies and especially for the pictures. You have a nice detailed restoration. The black is really sharp looking. I am doing the chasis right now and have someone else doing the body. Maybe you could help with another question. The trunk area fiberglass on both sides of the spare tire well have a texture. The fiberglass above the wheel wells is smooth. Is that the way it is supposed to be?

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Dennis, I always see a fiberglass pattern in those areas, they were never sanded as was the body, just a natural look of primer and paint over non smoothed fiberglass, don't make it too pretty!
Dan

[Ted S.]

Re: 58 Differential Finish

Dennis, If you look at the picture with the "black" writing toward the top you can see the graining in the fiberglass. That's pretty typical of what the rest of my trunk looked like. The front door pillar also looked like this. Here's a picture of mine before it was restored but it's kind of hard to see the graining.