65 only: Gold Gas Lid Emblem

[Wayne M.]

Way back in the Spring 1978 Restorer (Vol 4, No. 4) there was an article by Jim Howlett (page 34) discussing the gold center ring, and he speculated that it changed from the TFP silver with age, as it was exposed to the elements (sun, temperature). He mentions the theory of a 2nd supplier, or an error in OEM plating. Jim notices a pattern of gold lids in mid-to-late production.

Noland, Vol 2, page 265 also mentions the gold emblems seen on many '65's but he never succeeded in finding an example. He also concludes that the silver turned to gold by sunlight and "magic".

The '65 TIM&JG, 5th edition, makes no mention of the possibility of gold.

The lid in the pictures is one I bought off eBay (26 bucks; I wuz robbed ). It's too bad the shots do not do it justice; indoors, the gold is much more pronounced in both the inner and outer rings. It's dynamite next to a Goldwood yellow exterior. Notice the two thumbnail pics, on the shot of the backside hinge area, the casting number is different than my other two '65s; they end in "30181-H", whereas this one has a slightly larger font and ends in "30181" with a "3" superimposed where they ran out of room ? Sign of a different supplier ??

So I guess my questions are: why have the gold '65 gas emblems dropped off the radar screen for the last 22 to 32 years ? And, how would this judge (chuckle chuckle) ?

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 only: Gold Gas Lid Emblem

The emblem off my April 65 car shows absolutely no trace of gold. It spent its whole life in the S. Ca. sun so I doubt exposure to the sun would cause it to turn gold.

[Donald T.]

Re: 65 only: Gold Gas Lid Emblem

Wayne,

That's interesting. Your gas lid looks identical to the one I sold on ebay a few years back. It had the same crackling gold appearance and looks like the same part number configuration. Seems unlikely that the same one popped up again, but who knows. I removed it from my late 65, and sold it because I assumed it was just an older reproduction specifically because it lacked the -H on the part numbers just as yours does.

If it was in fact the original, a couple of things come to mind. First, I made a mistake in selling it. Second, my car did not show much evidence of sun damage. Original dash was in great condition without any cracks. The gauges including the yellow and red line showed little fading from the sun. Additionally the gas lid plastic was not all cracked from sun damage either. All indications were that my car did not spend a lot of time baking in the sun. So whatever it is worth, I don't think the sun caused the emblem to turn gold.