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Why did/do people paint the firewalls black?

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#21 ·
nad427 said:
You could also ask why most all frames were/are painted black. On a firewall it's a basic color, that matches every other color. Plus, it's the proper hotrod thing to do. You have to remember that all the way up into the 80's there weren't many with their head on straight that would 100% restore a trifive back to original with a 6cyl and PG. It was all about bigger and bigger engines and 4 speeds. Black firewalls were the norm.

It just looks natural, and makes the engine be the focus.

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I’m old school, if it don’t go chrome it. (Chrome is also not stock). Black frame, black fender wells & black firewall make the engine stand out.
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#25 ·
Owned several classics over the years- the higher end cars usually have the firewall painted body color. I recently looked at a Chevy II which was supposedly restored but obviously the engine was not pulled as the firewall was rattle canned which is how they usually evolve over the years. I know I have done it - its an easy option when you don't have the funds to tear apart for a professional paint job. It's really a personal choice - the body color on the firewall usually adds a cleaner look in my opinion.
 
#26 ·
years ago,
they also painted the stock steel wheels gloss black, because chrome reverse wheels were just coming out,
people painted the firewall black because the selection of spray paint back then was not like it is now,
they used gloss black or Hot Rod Primer because it looked "boss", or what ever word was used back then,
at one time, maybe early 70's a spray paint called Zolatone? was used to paint hot rod firewalls,
that paint was similar to 60's stock trunk paint,
that's what I remember
 
#30 ·
Crowbarman55 said:
I see quite a few firewalls painted black on tri fives. I wasn't around before 1976, so maybe it was popular at some point to paint the firewalls black?
Anybody know why they did or still do paint the firewalls black? My guess is to hide dirt and oil and such? Or to match the inner fender?
Crowbarman55 said:
I see quite a few firewalls painted black on tri fives. I wasn't around before 1976, so maybe it was popular at some point to paint the firewalls black?
Anybody know why they did or still do paint the firewalls black? My guess is to hide dirt and oil and such? Or to match the inner fender?
I know at some point GM stated making firewalls all black was it in the 60's?
Todd
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I know at some point GM stated making firewalls all black was it in the 60's?
Todd
Click to expand...
I think any frame off restoration would paint it the body color. I'd say most that are painted black, are just done without engine pulled,a good cleaning and a satin spray bomb.
 
#34 ·
Mine is black because when I swapped the engine I thought I'd give the firewall a quick refresh while I had the engine out. The original body coloured firewall paint was in rough shape. The project was to replace the engine, so a quick coat of chassis black and I kept on with the project.
 
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