Original Markings Options

[AvalonFal]

Don't think this has been asked before but what's proper with the original manufacturing/assembly markings when doing a restoration. For example, the engine tin and rear control arms painted number markings. Should they be painted over and then somehow replicated new?? Or masked out and painted around them??

[Pat Garvey]

Don't think this has been asked before but what's proper with the original manufacturing/assembly markings when doing a restoration. For example, the engine tin and rear control arms painted number markings. Should they be painted over and then somehow replicated new?? Or masked out and painted around them??

Whewhh! Man, you have asked the $64K question. It's been addressed for the engine tin (with no resolution!), a well as some other parts, but never concerning the control arms.

The general consensus is that ......we have no idea what the purpose was & no way to determine if one marking is appropriate or not!

We've beaten this topic to death! Called in for responses from all the "greats". Gotten nothing of substance.

Think they were some kind of inventory control mechanism, but it's only conjecture. Think they were applied with crude rubber or wooden stamps, but only conjecture. We really have no idea. It's one of the wierd things that has eluded us. Unfortunately, the "guys on the line" are either dead or senile. I think we may never know.

For my money, I'd refinish over them. If you mask out around them, it will probably show. If you try to replicate them, they may not be the proper finish to suit a high level judge. I don't think there's any way to win this.

I know what my numbers WERE, but not they're purpose. Gave up tryingto figure it out after 15 years - painted over them.