I have been trying to get some feedback on this part of my restoration from the forums and sources I use on a regular basis (ie: Buick and full-size Chev) with no luck at all. Since the a-body GM cars are all brothers so-to-speak, and this forum looks very active with lots of good information, I'm hoping some of you folks can help me out.

The short part of the story is I'm doing a body off on a 65 Buick GS. I'm now going to start putting some assemblies together, and I don't have enough info on what the heater plenum finish and/or color is supposed to be. It was pretty cruddy when I disassembled the car, and it appeared to have NO paint on the inside, and the outside looked like a dark gray, possibly with a hammertone look.

I had the plenum run through a dip tank, so it's all bare metal, and I have a seal kit.
The car was built in Fremont, 5-65.

Any help would greatly appreciated.

Mark

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1965 Buick GS HT 4-speed
1966 Impala 396/TH400/12 bolt

Welcome Mark,
glad to see another Minnesota boy. And fellow Impala owner (shhhhh!). I just located my '67 SS427 Impala that I sold in 1981 and the owner has agreed to sell it back to me.......and at no profit!!!

The heater plenum should be 80% gloss black. They were not painted (on the back) from the factory but I do anyway to seal them. The dark grey is just age. The undersides of hoods and the firewalls look the same after many years of heat, moisture and engine liquids.

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"Details Make the Difference"
Musclecar Restoration and Design

[This message has been edited by Rick_Nelson (edited 06-12-2001).]

Rick,

Thanks much for the reply. 80% black it is.
looks like you have a shop from your signature - let me know. Chev's have been the focus of almost all my toys, This Buick thing just got away from me completely.
By the way, I've owned the Impala for 15 years, former owner of two SS Chevelles, a 66 & 69, among many other full-size Chevs.

An excellent forum I might add.

Mark

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1965 Buick GS HT 4-speed
1966 Impala 396/TH400/12 bolt

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GarageLogic:
Rick,

By the way, I've owned the Impala for 15 years, former owner of two SS Chevelles, a 66 & 69, among many other full-size Chevs.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Shhhhhhhhh! Mark, remember I said shhhhhhh when it comes to Impalas. These guys take their Chevelles seriously and we drive boat anchors. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif Seriously though, again welcome aboard, you will enjoy being here. Yes, I do have a small shop in Lakeville. I restore 2-3 upper end cars and many smaller restos a year. Its just me but I like it that way. You will see me every year at ISCA and Car Craft with someones car.

I MUST CORRECT MYSELF. I meant to say.....they weren't painted on the back from the factory but were about 80% on the front. Boy I'm sure I raised a few eyebrows on that one! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif



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"Details Make the Difference"
Musclecar Restoration and Design

You did, Rick, and thinking I made a large mistake I was about to take my own life in the most disgusting manner possible. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Welcome Impala Brother Mark. Don't worry - your secret is safe here.

Oh, wait - it was safe......

Dan



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Awww, fer cyrin out loud, there's that IMPALA guy again.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ss3964spd?d&.flabel=fld1&.src=ph

Dan, what's happening! You know, ya just can't sneak around the web these days. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif Don't think I've seen you post in the imp*l*ssforum lately.

I'd like to take a step back on my original question. Rick, It sounds like you might be referring to the "box" that bolts to engine-side of the firewall that the blower motor mounts in. The color(s) I'd like to know are for the sheetmetal plenum that the heater core mounts in, contains the blend doors and bolts under the dash.

If the information is the same, I just misunderstood. Rick, send me e-mail, I'd like to come out visit sometime. I'm only about 15 or 20 minutes away.

Mark

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1965 Buick GS HT 4-speed
1966 Impala 396/TH400/12 bolt

[This message has been edited by GarageLogic (edited 06-12-2001).]

Mark, I did misunderstand you. The box on the inside of the car is flat black. I wet spray the box and then put a coat of dry spray on it to give it a slight texture similar to the originals.

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"Details Make the Difference"
Musclecar Restoration and Design

Mark, is that you? Didn't recognize your handle.

Yea, it's a small world after all. I do tend to read and post here. Everyone knows this is the place to come for answers, unless the question is 65/66 Impala or other vehicle specific.

Ya just can't find a more knowledgeable group - witness Ricks' reply above. By and large, these folks are golden. I just don't see the same dedication and willingness to assist on the other boards. It's a shame.

Lucky for me these guys haven't voted me out yet!

Dan

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Awww, fer cyrin out loud, there's that IMPALA guy again.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ss3964spd?d&.flabel=fld1&.src=ph

Rick,
Thanks for the replies and information. I'll be in touch.

Dan, nice to see you here.

Mark

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1965 Buick GS HT 4-speed
1966 Impala 396/TH400/12 bolt

Hmm. Impala guys and Buick guys hiding out on the Chevelle forums...

Well, I guess that's ok, Dan's helped me several times with my Q-jet.

BTW, I saw my first SS-427 car. It's midnight blue. Very nice. Totally sleeper except the 3 vents in the middle of the hood. If you get your old one back, I'd love to see it.

Anyway, anyone redoing an A-body is ok in my book. Welcome, browse around, stay for a while!

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David Reinecke - aka - FINE 68
1968 Chevelle 300 Sport Coupe Deluxe
www.geocities.com/jdreinecke (http://www.geocities.com/jdreinecke)