[burty]

I was looking for some input about what direction to go when I paint my 65. I'm going back and forth between black or white. The car has a black interior, and the firewall is black. Just wondering, if you were going to paint car white would you match the firewall? Not worried about what would be correct for originality, just trying to figure out what would look best. I'm thinking a white car with a white firewall and black inner fenders would look better than all black under the hood? Any pics of white firewalls would help also. Thanks in advance. Burt.

 

[ckanderson]

I have always been a fan of black engine compartments on classic cars. my nova is white with a black firewall.

firewalls that are painted a body color have to be kept clean or else they look bad.

 

[CARtoon]

My 62 was originally white with white firewall. I painted it black when the car was painted silver. There's not a lot of firewall to look at on the first gen and you will have to keep it clean.

Black cars are high maintenance but look outstanding if the bodywork is top notch... white hides flaws. This is a tough decision to make so I went with silver

 

[undercvrSS]

Canadian cars had body color firewalls. US cars had black firewalls

 

[lisandon95386]

my aunt bought my nova brand new in 63, car has firewall same as the body,car was born in oakland,seen many 1st.gens the same way firewall is same as the body,my car will be painted real soon,and the firewall will be the same as the body,subframe will be semi gloss black just like it left the factory:yes:
don

 

[zz572]

I would put the firewall body color in my opinion it looks a lot better I mean also im going to paint the inner fenders the same as body color. Im probly going to do a 2 tone paint job and the inner fenders and firewall will be a dark charcole grey with a burt orange top.

 

[burty]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!!!!! Call me crazy but I really like a white car with a white firewall with black inner fenders. CARtoons pics of his car pretty much convinced me. I know it will be a pain in the butt to keep clean but I really, really like that look. Makes me think of a car ordered basic to be used for drag racing.......I'm starting to put the picture together in my head now. Thanks again everyone!!!!!

 

[John65ss]

Here's my white '65. My firewall is black.

My car was originally Ermine White on Red. Couldn't make up my mind on colr years ago when I painted it, so I figured I'd keep it the way GM built it. Glad I did... I think these cars look good in white, and I love a color interior (blue, red, fawn, etc).

 

[DesertDeuce]

Canadian cars had body color firewalls. US cars had black firewalls

My '62 had a body color firewall. As far as know all '62s were like that.
-DD

 

[MPLS66]

I seem to like the white exterior blue intereior myself. When Idid engine bay I went the same as mine came from factory firewall black.

 

[64PRONOVA]

There are pluses and minuses to both black and white paint jobs.

Black Paint Jobs

Pluses:

• Look super-sharp when clean if the body is perfect.
• Hides body gap irregularities.

Minuses:

• Accentuates every body panel dent, wave and imperfection. If you don't have a laser-straight body before painting, a black paint-job looks like crap.
• Any orange-peel or over-spray is highlighted with a black paint job. This is why in addition to the extra body-prep required, the actual paint job is usually more-expensive if you want a nice-looking black one.
• Shows dirt the most of all colors. It's hard to keep a black car looking clean. Every spec of dust and dirt sticks-out like a sore thumb.

White Paint Jobs

Pluses:

• Hides body panel imperfections the best. You can have a less than laser-straight body and it will still look decent with a white paint job. Paint imperfections like orange-peel and over-spray are also camouflaged better with white paint jobs.
• Hides dirt and dust the most of all colors. You can let a white paint job get a little dirty and it will still look good.

Minuses:

• Accentuates door and fender gaps the most. If your body panel gaps are not perfect, they will stick-out like a sore thumb with a white paint job.

That being said, if I were painting my car white I would rather have the factory-looking style semi-flat black firewall color. I think it looks better.

 

[62Nova]

I kept my 62 engine compartment stock ermine white. I think it makes my engine stand out a little more.

 

[burty]

Yea, that's what I'm thinking also. The white firewall makes the motor stand out more. Thanks again everybody....All your opinions and suggestions are helping me zero in on what I want. Thanks. Burt.

 

[64PRONOVA]

Yeah the white firewall does look nice with the aluminum panels.

 

[Rotorbolt]

I'm in the same boat myself. Can't decide on color. My 64 is originally white with red interior but came with the firewall painted black.
Only problem with a body color firewall occurs if you want to change the body color one day.

 

[undercvrSS]

My '62 had a body color firewall. As far as know all '62s were like that.
-DD

Maybe I should stick to answering 2nd gen questions, lol.

 

[burty]

I'm in the same boat myself. Can't decide on color. My 64 is originally white with red interior but came with the firewall painted black.
Only problem with a body color firewall occurs if you want to change the body color one day.

Wow, I had not thought about that (changing body color down the road). Damn you for bringing that up!!!!!!!! I was 99% sure until I read that......Lol....

 

[ryan9815]

My '62 had a body color firewall. As far as know all '62s were like that.
-DD

I think all 62s and 63s untile a certain month (not sure when the stopped in 63) had body color firewalls as mine is painted body color and it is an october 63 car.