On the f bodies what was the factory color of the suspension? Gloss black, semi gloss black, flat black, bare metal? My 83 TA shows no sign of the orginal color on the the suspension parts.
I would like to restore it right.

 

damn that floor looks in great condition

 

Mine is the same color as the exterior.

 

Many of the brackets and suspension arms would have been 60-80% semi-gloss black. GM was getting very cheap by then and the rear axle was bare metal or sometimes a light dusting of semi-gloss black on the pumpkin.

Cast parts such as the tie-rods, drag link, steering box, spindles were bare metal.

Bolts and clips where typically black phosphate and nuts silver zinc plated. The sway bar links had gold zinc di-chromate plating on the washers.

 

What I think might look good for parts that are bare metal would be either a flat, or semi-gloss clear laquer. At least then you get the bare metal look, with some protection.

As others have mentioned. Thats a great looking floor you have there.

 

Ther rear axel had no paint, therefore it rusted, the drive shaft also has no paint, The Leading arms, "pan hard" bar, springs, sway bars were all black from the factory.

In the front, Springs, Lower "A" arm, were black, the Sway bar on my car was kind of painted a little, but I belive it was suposed to be black.

All parts were a Semi-gloss black in sheen.

The brake backing plates were generally Goldish color this was from some sort of nickel plating, to keep them from rusting. The calipers were unpainted, as were the brake disks.

Hope that helps.

John

 

Check out this thread

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=301622

 

I was just thinking of that car as I was reading thru here.... Nice car, too bad it has rust on the suspension parts at only 80 miles....
He's got some good pics for those restoring one tho...

 

one more thing, It seems as what they painted through the years may have changed. On that 91 1LE Z28, the front suspension appears to have little or no paint on it. Whereas my 87 Formula was definately painted. Of course it may be due to mfg plant.

Also some of the rear axels were painted black. But the ones I have seen were all the 9 Bolt B&W rear.

John

 

I know for a fact that my 88 Iroc has flat black painted lower control arms, panhard rod, upper panhard rod thing, torque arm, a arms, sway bars, wonderbar, etc.

The driveshaft (aluminum) and the rear end were bare metal.

Only pic I have of the underside:

 

Aaron7, thats not flat black paint. In the 1980's GM went from a 60-80% gloss black to a duller 40-50% gloss black. Its actually still available from the dealer.

 

Ahh yes, as I now look at it I realize that it's not flat! None-the-less, the parts are painted.