It's getting close to final paint decision time for me on a 57 Chevy build and need some input from the experts here. Going back with the original turquoise & ivory two tone paint but thinking of bringing the ivory to the firewall too. I really dig this style on the open wheeled cars but haven't seen enough full body cars with it done to make my mind, up. Anyone got pics of (non white) cars done this way? Also, would the white need to be on the inner fenders to look right? I was thinking of only doing the firewall and keeping the fender wells black. Thanks KK
That ivory would look great IMO, and I would only do the firewall and leave the inner fenderwells and the rest satin black. Don
as much as i like white firewalls, turquoise would look better on a 57 chevy. how about turquoise firewall and ivory inner fenders?
Dude, I'm in the same dilemma with my 53! I was debating on white inner fenders or a white firewall, or both or one white one black? Not sure yet! haha It's getting close for me too. I never really thought about it, but now that i think about it, like donshotrods said, the white firewall with black inner fenders might be cool?
I'm thinking you just about have me sold on the idea. Both of those look great. One concern is that my firewall isn't going to be quite as clean as Asphalt's there. I'm keeping the original components such as heater box, air ducts, etc... Do you think that would F up the look or just break it up a bit? Looks like the 56 Big cheese posted might have kept a lot of the original equipment but hard to tell.
Found a better pic. I think it looks great with the stock stuff mounted there, plus a few period decals.
This is pretty Rad looking too. I drive my car everywhere, just hate to have to keep it clean ya know? Do you guys clean yours a lot? Or say screw it and just drive it?
I really like that photo Bigcheese posted with the white firewall. On my red 55 Chevy I painted it semigloss black. When I sold the wagon the other guy had a stainless panel added over it. I hate the stainless but don't want to fool with filling the screw holes right now. The white looks clean with black inner fenders. But body color also looks nice. Or black and white checkerboard. But that wasn't the question. WHITE !
I wipe the car down with a towel after I wash it-Then use the damp towel and wipe off the firewall and inner fenders-no big deal
Fast Elvis on here has a 55 Chevy. Here's a shot I took of it last winter, not the absolute best angle, but you get the idea.
Yeah that pretty much seals the deal for me too. Cheese that car of yours is bitchin. One other question... Was this a popular thing back in the sixties or when did it start? I'm shooting for a 60's style custom/ hot rod.
I don't think I ever saw anything back in the 50's or 60's with a white firewall unless it was a custom, but I can't remember anything anyway! But! The examples here are nothing short of beatiful!
I would suggest if you are painting the car Turquoise and Ivory don't paint the fire wall with,instead go with the ivory. HRP
Did the firewall in my black 46 ford an off white ivory. Sort of an appliance white, I've got over 1000 miles in torrential down pours, dirt roads and oil leaks that get fixed one by one and have yet to see it dirty enough to bother even wiping it down. I'll find ya a pic
<a href="http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g98/timm95/?action=view&current=photo4-70.jpg" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g98/timm95/?action=view&current=photo3-82.jpg" target="_blank"></a> first two i found, kind of random but i have found it nice when working at nice by flashlight to have a big shiney piece of white to bounce light around rather then the standard flat black that soaks all the light up. let us see what you come up with
My T isn't a tri-five, but it's white and so is the firewall. When I first got the body, I was going to install an aluminum firewall to hide dirt and grime. To my surprise, I've only had to clean it after a lot of driving. And even then, it was a minimal effort. I guess the question would be how much oil does your engine blow out and how often do you drive it. It's going to get road dust and dirt, but the look is worth the time you might spend cleaning it.
I wish I could claim it, but it's just stuck in my head since I saw it featured in R&C. FWIW, it's a look I associate with the sixties, but it could be neo-traditional. Unfortunately, my dad isn't around anymore to ask.
You guys have me sold on it. I think that all of the ones posted so far look great. Hell, if I don't like it all I have to do is shut the hood. Mickey the bay on your truck is right!
Micky Moon, that looks killer! And Tim, I think you've got me sold! haha Your car looks dirty, but the firewall is not!? haha Guess it might not be that bad to keep clean afterall!
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