57 Softtop Frame Color and Texture

[Bill H.]

While I have been a very long time member (1981?) yesterday I discovered the Forum through the kindness of Gary Chesnut and am now like a kid in a candy store -- so many 57 questions I have to ask!! I am blown away by John Hinckley and Mike McCagh's expertise -- where have you been all my life.

I once had an original 56 softtop and frame and while researching paint colors about 20 years ago I recall talking to Tom Crockett who told me it was NOT painted Shoreline beige but instead a darker browinsh almost caramel color and it was enamel not lacquer. Tom if you are out there I hope I am not misquoting you -- its what my memory is telling me but I confess to a few gin and tonics between then and now. The JM guide may refute this -- not sure. Any words of wisdom?

Bill

[Mike M.]

Re: 57 Softtop Frame Color and Texture

While I have been a very long time member (1981?) yesterday I discovered the Forum through the kindness of Gary Chesnut and am now like a kid in a candy store -- so many 57 questions I have to ask!! I am blown away by John Hinckley and Mike McCagh's expertise -- where have you been all my life.

I once had an original 56 softtop and frame and while researching paint colors about 20 years ago I recall talking to Tom Crockett who told me it was NOT painted Shoreline beige but instead a darker browinsh almost caramel color and it was enamel not lacquer. Tom if you are out there I hope I am not misquoting you -- its what my memory is telling me but I confess to a few gin and tonics between then and now. The JM guide may refute this -- not sure. Any words of wisdom?

Bill

call KC strawmyer at 717 360 6374 and tell him i put you up to calling him. he has an unrestored 57 with shoreline beige interior that has its soft top assembly untouched. i had his car here at our place when i was putting our 57 250 PG vette back together last year and its of Bowtie quality. i believe your recollection of tom crockett's opinion is correct in that the soft top frame assembly is a darker beige than that what was sprayed on the trunk/coves/dash/ glove box areas but let KC confirm or disprove my suspicion.mike

[Bill H.]

Re: 57 Softtop Frame Color and Texture

Hi Mike,

KC just called me -- he says his top bows are exactly same color as his lower dash (Shoreline Beige). So much for that theory. I am guessing that Tom Crockett (and my memory) had '55 or maybe even 53/4 top bows in mind. You have seen KCs car and you know it to be an unmolested survivor so its pretty hard to refute that -- good enough for me. Thanks for pointing me to him -- he's still going to take some pictures and send them to me.
Bill