Why is the paint on Andy Griffith's cars so dull?

I was watching an episode of Andy Griffith and noticed how dull the finish was on his squad car.Even the chrome looked dull and the car wasn't even a year old!The funny part was that a guest star's '56 Ford hard top (which was about 8 years old at the time the episode was filmed) had shiny paint and gleaming chrome.Did they sand the cars down on purpose to make them look older than they actually were?i noticed it on nearly all of the B&W episodes that I have watched over the years.Any thoughts?

 

they may have dulled them to cut down on the glare

 

Because Andy was dull??

 

I'm sure that was for shooting reasons. Camera, lights etc...

 

what color was the other car? like said maybee to cut down on glare.

 

I'd bet that they sprayed the cars with something to cut down on the glare and reflections for filming. Plus I don't think Turtle Wax was ever a sponsor on the show.

If Andy Griffith is too "dull" for you, watch some of the old episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. Most of their prop cars were new Chrysler products and in most of the more close-up shots you can see that the windshields have been removed, as well as the inside rear view mirrors.

 

WEll I think it was dark green or black(Hard to tell with Black and White).I did see the actors face reflected on the hood of the '56 Ford.i guess dulling the paint so that you could not see the cameras makes sense.

 

It was to keep the glare out of Deputy Fife's eyes when he had to shoot at lawbreakers with "baby".

 

Yep ! Very logical!

 

Maybe "Barney" had something to do with it? Damn where's my bullet?

 

Gomer was out telling stories at the Ethyl pump and meatgazing Thelma Lou instead of rubbing the cruiser out?

 

Because Andy and Barny were ahead of their time and new the flat paint craze was coming.

 

Not in my books! I wish we had more guys like him.

 

I'm with Kan Kustom.

 

Andy sure knew how to talk to people!

 

Layer of dust. Streets in Mayberry aren't paved!

 

Well being its my hometown, I think I can give the logical answer. Lots of dirt roads around Mayberry. It's called roadfilm.

 

You couldn't really tell with the black and white TV, but the rims were red

 

Hey Sam is still as great as it was back then?

 

For the camera is correct.Worked as an extra years ago on "October Sky" and watched the crew do that to some of the vintage cars in the movie.

 

And Gomer put a small block chevy in it on that one episode.

 

Oh yeah. Still great. Andy's homeplace is one street over from my house. We have a big festival here in October (Autumn Leaves Festival) , complete with a car show. Usually several hundred cars. I'll try to post some info about the car show sometime soon.

 

ya know, i allways wondered that myself.

 

if you look at the episode where aunt bee was in the 55-56 ford convertible, the windsheild frame didnt look chrome, it looked silverish. any one ever notice this besides me?

 

Pretty Cool ED! Is that a Muntz Jet in your avatar?

 

Cool!

 

Couple shots of current Mayberry.

 

Couple more

 

I'm pretty sure the wheels were painted red too, but that changed when they went to color episodes.

 

Hmmm I feel like having a pork chop sandwich!