Technical '51 chevy trim: stainless or not stainless?

Hey guys,
Was at a buddies today and he was about to start polishing the stainless grill on his business coupe. Well we determined it wasn't stainless of course, the chrome has a perfect weathered stainless finish though.
During our investigation the magnet came out as did other trim pieces. It seems the trim that divides the roof and the body does not pass the magnet test. I know that there are grades of stainless that are magnetic but this trim has the same draw or attraction as regular steel.
Could this trim also be chromed steel?

Thanks,
Jeff

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During the 50s most of the stainless was magnetic, according to a polishing site I read. Some of it was also flash chromed, my Lincoln was. My 54 bel air is magnetic , but not flashed. Polishing the flashed stuff it is possible to go thru the chrome and look a little cloudy.

 

Thanks for the reply, 56.
Do you remember which site that was or how one deals with flash chromed stainless?
Jeff

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Those cars were produced during the Korean War period ('50/'53) and materials used in production of auto trim was varied. In many cases parts that had been stainless were substituted with chrome plated steel. And the pot metal parts, like tail light bezels, were chrome plated, but not very well, and seemed to deteriorate at a faster rate that before or after that period.

My own experiences with early '50s cars (when they were only about ten years old) bears this out. I had a '51 Chevy and it's grille parts were definitely chromed steel and not very good quality. Same for a '53 Chrysler I had back then. '53 Chevy grille surrounds are notorious for poor chrome plating.

Ray

 

The window, fender and door trim are all stainless, but the grille is chromed steel.