[skryla]

I am going to restore the suspension in my 1972 Chevelle SS 454 Conv this winter. I have been combing sites, saving pics of undercarriages which has led me to the conculsion that there are some disparities in the finishes of the various parts.

I would like to get the finishes as correct (for judging purposes) as possible THE FIRST TIME. Below is a list of the components and the finishes as I understand them: G (gloss black), S (semi-gloss black), F (flat black), N (natural) ? (help)

front brake hose backets - N
rear brake hose backets - N
calipers - N
caliper brackets - ?
backing plates - ?
front control arms - G
rear control arms - G
sway bar bushings brackets - N
front sway bar - G
rear sway bar - G
front stabilizer shaft links - ?
idler arm - N
inner tie rod ends - N
outer tie rod ends - N
ball joints - N
centerlink - G
tie rod adjusting sleeves - ?
front spindles - N
front steering arms - N
front shocks - S
rear shocks - S
steering box - F
rear end - F
rear backing plates - F
rear drums - F

anything I may have missed? please feel free to add.

any recommendations for manufacturers would be helpful.

 

[GOSFAST]

I am going to restore the suspension in my 1972 Chevelle SS 454 Conv this winter. I have been combing sites, saving pics of undercarriages which has led me to the conculsion that there are some disparities in the finishes of the various parts.

Hey Stan, call Chris over here on Long Island at "Island Musclecars". I don't know where Brick, N.J. is, but you could probably come and take a "peek". I just brought the engine back and he's got the entire chassis ass'y going back together as I type. It was a "frame-off" and 100% original. His number is 631-842-0858. Tell him I told you to call. Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. It's the identical car as your's, a BB, 4 speed convertible. It belongs to a member up on this site. Do a search (TSM5150) and it'll take you to his personal website. He tells me it's one of only 27 similar units built! Bring a camera!

 

[Rainer]

Would have to disagree with a bunch of this, but don't have time at the moment to note it all. Quickly, there should be no flat black components, and the shocks are a gloss gray (sometimes referred to as "Dove Gray"). I'm sure you'll get lots of other replies.

 

[skryla]

Is that Tracey's car?

 

[Bill Rose]

Heres how I see it.
I wrote out the color I thought should be different.
Where I have 2 colors- both would be acceptable by any knowledgeable judge.

front brake hose backets -satin black
rear brake hose backets - satin black
calipers - N
caliper brackets -gold cad
backing plates front - nickel
front control arms -satin black
rear control arms - satin black
sway bar bushings brackets - N or satin black
front sway bar - natural or satin black
rear sway bar -satin black or nat
front stabilizer shaft links -nickel
idler arm - N or satin black
inner tie rod ends - N
outer tie rod ends - N
ball joints - N
centerlink - natural
tie rod adjusting sleeves -natural
front spindles - N
front steering arms - N
front shocks - shock grey- dove
rear shocks - shock grey- dove
steering box -satin black or natural
rear end -natural or satin black
rear backing plates -satin black
rear drums - natural or satin black

 

[skryla]

Thank you Bill. For the natural, what coating coud someone suggest to protect from rusting?

 

[rubadub]

You asked if you missed anything, you might want to find out what primer for each paint, also sandable or nonsandable.
Rob

 

[chevelless1]

for natural use Eastwoods products, such as cast blast, spray gray, detail gray depending on what it is. Some use clear, but claim it starts to rust over time. I had my spindles powdercoated clear so we will see how that works out.

 

[GOSFAST]

Is that Tracey's car?

Correct, and here's the powerplant! Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. You know him I assume then?

 

[skryla]

He and I have had bidding wars over a few parts. LOL

 

[fatrat720]

I really like Rubadub's quote in above answer. I think it really hits the nail on the head when it comes to the question of detailing the undercarriage of the 1972 Chevelle.
Useing the publication of Motorbooks International Authentic Restoration Guide of Chevelle SS by Paul A Herd. ISBN 0-87938-569-3, on page 70, topic, front shock absorbers for 1964-1972. Herd states "all 1970-1972 SS's used the station wagon front shock absorber part number 3192822. And that they were mfgr by Delco, and for detailing they should be painted medium dove gray for those mfgr BEFORE 1970. For the 1971-1972 models they should be painted 30% gloss black. Any other brand or color of shock is incorrect".

Then I find the publication The Chevelle Report A publication of National Chevelle Owners Association, Inc. ( I don't think NCOA are in business any more, but don't know for fact) Dated October 1992 volume 11 number 7.
In it is an article titled 1970-1972 undercarriage Detaling & component finishes. The formulas and applications are by: Frank Serafine Super Chevys Limited, Orlando, Fl.
This article is from an open forum seminar on detailing the 1970-1972 undercarriage and was hosted by Frank Serafine, Brian Caudell of Caudell Paint and Details, Jeff Dotterer, NCOA senior judge and Don Dorfman of ASL Company. The article states "Nothing is written in stone". The article lists each component as to the color of the finish. The article also gives formulas for Sherwin Williams Acrylic Enamel. Article lists shocks as being grey.
Fatrat

 

[skryla]

Let's beat this dead horse again. Who out there has restored an 1972 SS and has had it judged with no repercussions for shock make or color. Where did you buy your shocks? What color are they?

 

[LateNight72]

I don't know if this will help or not, but here is a picture of an Original (36k mile, date stamped, etc..) front shock off of a '72 SS 402. You can see the cleaned section of the shock-- Dove Grey...

-Todd