1958-early 1960 Trunk Division Panel

[Joe M.]

If I understand the Feb. 1961 Chevrolet Parts book, 1958 through part of the 1959-built 1960 model year cars had the 1st type of division panel (P/N 3777514) which was bulged whether the car had power top installed or not and the only color appears to have been black. According to the 1960 AIM, in October 1959, the change to a new part number, 3761720, was called out and the parts book shows the color was red. I would expect the black panels were used up before the switch occurred.

Does anyone have a 1958 through early 1960 with original division panel that would be willing to share the color of their division panel? This would assist me in my research on the subject. This information would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerry C.]

Re: 1958-early 1960 Trunk Division Panel

My 1960 VN 808 has a bulged red panel. I would have used it but it is pretty sad.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1958-early 1960 Trunk Division Panel

Thanks Jerry for the information. Your red panel either shoots down my Chevy parts book interpretation that black was the only early color or your car received one of the first red panels after the switch in parts in October 1959. Does your panel have narrow cutouts for the hinges on both sides?

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1958-early 1960 Trunk Division Panel

Thanks Jerry for the information. Your red panel either shoots down my Chevy parts book interpretation that black was the only early color or your car received one of the first red panels after the switch in parts in October 1959. Does your panel have narrow cutouts for the hinges on both sides?

Joe,

I "thought" (gets me in trouble when I think........) that the color of the panels either were made the color of the trunk or were painted the trunk color.

Tom

[Joe M.]

Re: 1958-early 1960 Trunk Division Panel

Good point Tom. I "think" I misinterpreted the Chevy parts book. The only color available over the counter for 1958-early 1960 may have been black, but they were painted the appropriate color at the St. Louis plant before installation in the cars. In early 1960, the red colored division panel became available and saved St. Louis the trouble of painting them at the plant.

Having said all of that, the 1960 AIM calls for a switch from black to red in October 1959. Why would there have been a switch from black to red if they were being painted at the St. Louis plant. I will probably never figure this out and doesn't look like much input is forthcoming from the members. Very few original panels remain.