Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

[Garry E.]

I have removed the rear suspension from my '64 convertible and have discovered, not only original grease pencil marks from the factory on the exterior of the rear bulkhead, but also a metal bracket that was riveted to the bulkhead, as well. This bracket is covered with surface rust and the original finish is un-recognizable....

Does anyone know what the original finish of this bracket was....?

thanks....

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Joe C.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

If the body was from AO Smith it should be zinc phosphate primer.
If St. Louis it was gloss black.

[M W.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Gary, if you look in the upper right corner of that same area you will see a ink stamp showing the date the body was assembled. Only visible if the tank is removed. I have a great picture somewhere I will try to post later.

cheers,
Craig

[Michael G.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Only info I've seen there is the job # written on bulk head with a lumber crayon....be it from A.O. Smith or St. Louis. A.O. Smith however did incorporate a letter with their job #. Would be interested to see a ink date stamp image.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Slightly off the direct 1964 question; at what point in the 1963 MY did this "Underbody Reinforcement" (per AIM nomenclature) begin ?

I could never figure out exactly what was being 'reinforced' .

Tidbit -- all tankers were, of necessity, U-R delete.

[M W.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Here you go guys. If you look very closely at the middle picture you can the see the job number in crayon and the finish date i assume of MAR 25 1964 upside down in the upper corner as well. Neat stuff.

Craig

[Joe C.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Here you go guys. If you look very closely at the middle picture you can the see the job number in crayon and the finish date i assume of MAR 25 1964 upside down in the upper corner as well. Neat stuff.

Craig

Each individual body panel had it's own date of manufacture ink stamped into it.
The body assembly date itself is only found on the trim tag.
If the ink stamp on a particular panel happens to match the date on the TT, then it is purely coincidence.

[Joe C.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Slightly off the direct 1964 question; at what point in the 1963 MY did this "Underbody Reinforcement" (per AIM nomenclature) begin ?

I could never figure out exactly what was being 'reinforced' .

Tidbit -- all tankers were, of necessity, U-R delete.

Are you saying that early/mid 1963 MY cars did not have the bulkhead reinforcement?
I agree that the steel doesn't seem to be "reinforcing" anything.
My best guess is that if it was added, then it might have been to address a noise isolation issue. The large, flat rear bulkhead might have been drumming, and so the "stiffener" was added.

[M W.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Each individual body panel had it's own date of manufacture ink stamped into it.
The body assembly date itself is only found on the trim tag.
If the ink stamp on a particular panel happens to match the date on the TT, then it is purely coincidence.

Joe I dont disagree with or agree cause I don't know the answer but this is the only panel I could find with an ink stamp on it.

Craig

[John H.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Joe I dont disagree with or agree cause I don't know the answer but this is the only panel I could find with an ink stamp on it.

Craig

Craig -

The ink-stamped date is the date the panel was molded at the panel supplier.

[Alan D.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Another number that turned up! Interesting stuff as you look at the details.

Have found a few ink stamps on panels and yes one in the back once tank was removed to look for Job Number.

[Garry E.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

All....

Thanks for the various responses to my intial inquiry..... all very useful.... I have attached a couple of photos of some of the inspection marks I have discovered in this process..... Thanks again...

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[John H.]

Re: Finish of metal brace on rear bulkhead of '64 convertible

Here's a St. Louis-bodied '67 undergoing restoration - the rear bulkhead stiffener was dip-primed black.