Tailgate Letter Color

[Nanook]

I have a question for some of the more knowledgeable people here on the forum.
In the process of doing some repairs on my 64 K10 (Canadian Built), I noticed that the tailgate lettering appears to be the same fawn color as the interior. I purchased the truck from the original owner, (a cattle rancher) who assured me that the truck has the original paint and had never been repaired/repainted. Is it possible it came from the factory like this? I thought they would always be white except perhaps on a white truck. I would appreciate some feedback. (By the way, what appears to be overspray on the letters is actually the lettering being worn....)

[aerotruk63]

Maybe being a ranch truck that would be Manure White?

[oem4me]

I agree it kinda looks legit, but heard all tailgate letters were off-white, or black in the case of a white truck. Perhaps stepsides are different. I'd be interested in what Jon (60-66) has to say.

[ImpalaJim]

id say age stained

[jbgroby]

Although you don't have a GMC, I discovered that they were painted with a semi-gloss reflective silver/aluminum color on the wideside models. This is the sme color they used on the interior. So I could see Chevy doing the same, based on my limited research they did this so that the brand name would be seen better?

[60-66]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

Although you don't have a GMC, I discovered that they were painted with a semi-gloss reflective silver/aluminum color on the wideside models. This is the sme color they used on the interior. So I could see Chevy doing the same, based on my limited research they did this so that the brand name would be seen better?

The silver on GMC tailgates is not reflective , its an argent silver. I have several 6-8 different take off 60-66 GMC gates and none reflect light. This is a myth started on the GMC site

[60-66]

Originally Posted by oem4me

I agree it kinda looks legit, but heard all tailgate letters were off-white, or black in the case of a white truck. Perhaps stepsides are different. I'd be interested in what Jon (60-66) has to say.

Being that the stepside is Canadian built and their paint regulations were slightly different I will have to pass on answering this one. I see rust fading into the paint colour so Im curious what a light hand polish might do ? In the US its white or black lettering and silver I think starting in 67 . Canada ?

[60-66]

Curious also on this truck if you can tell if the bed wood is body color ? Also since its original paint , what does the grille and surrounding white paint look like ?

[Nanook]

Here are some pictures of the bed wood and front end...I will try to polish the letters later today.