SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1966 Shelby GT350/GT350H => Topic started by: mike-mustang on September 13, 2018, 05:56:48 AM

Title: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: mike-mustang on September 13, 2018, 05:56:48 AM
Hello, I'm new on this forum.
I'm Miguel
I have a Ivy green '66 GT350. I'm doing a complete restoration on this car and I have a question.

The car is original equipped with the painted 14 inch Motor Rim Magnum 500 wheels.
I like to repaint the wheels like in the picture that I found in the book by GREY Kolasa  "the definitive Shelby Mustang guide 1965-1970"
Where can I find the exact color code for these wheels?
Or does anybody know the color code to paint these wheels ?

Best Regards Miguel

Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: SFM6S087 on September 14, 2018, 03:10:38 AM
Welcome to the forum, Miguel. Hopefully one of our more knowledgeable participants will step forward soon with the info you need. In the mean time, are there any pictures of your car that you’d like to share? That always draws attention to a topic.

Steve
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: gt350hr on September 14, 2018, 11:01:43 AM
  In '72 I had 4 NOS in Ford boxes , painted Magnums. They were flat "light" gray primer  with the normal blackouts. No shine of any level , semi or otherwise. The wheels had Dec '65 manufacturing dates on them. The paint had a degree of roughness to it as if the paint was on the "dry side" when  painted which also prevented any chance of glossiness. "Most" restored wheels are IMHO over restored and have smooth semi gloss or gloss finishes when this was simply not the case.
    Randy
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: 6s1802 on September 14, 2018, 03:21:48 PM
Try flat hot rod grey primer
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: papa scoops on September 14, 2018, 03:39:41 PM
you do NOT want to use primer. primer will soak up water like a sponge and go right to the metal underneath and start rusting. it must be sealed. use a grey paint with flattening agent in it. phred
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: 6s1640 on September 17, 2018, 07:19:59 PM
I currently have 5 NOS painted GT350 Magnum 500's.   (I will have to check the date codes.)   Under close inspection with a magnifying glass,  I have found very small traces of the black paint specks, the same color used on the recesses, very flat paint.  Absolutely no shine.  It appears to be over spray.  This will also affect the over all appearance at a distance.  I will try to take a picture and share.

The color code has been a mystery and has been brought up before.  One issue that might make it hard.  I bet there were variation in the paint batches from back in the day and that is why we can't agree on the exact receipt for color.  There are several if not half a dozen or more.   I have also had my painted Magnum 500 discounted for a color match.  They could be different than the assembly line versions.  However my set has not seen any exposure to solar radiations and have not be subject to weather of fading.  They look really good to me.  You can decide.

At SAAC 43, there were nearly half a dozen 66 GT350's with the painted Magnums.  I will try to post those images later also.

Take care

Cory
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: 6s1802 on September 17, 2018, 07:34:32 PM
The color is similar to gray hot rod primer but i agree, use flattened paint
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: kram350 on September 17, 2018, 08:31:09 PM
Just to add, I bought 5 new in the box from S&C Ford in 1974 and were very disappointed when I saw the finish. I even asked the parts manager if they were still in primer, they must have forgotten to paint them the final paint color! So, a rough surface, primer gray color is correct from my experience.
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: 6s1640 on September 17, 2018, 11:35:08 PM
Hi all,

Here is one of the five NOS S2MS-1007-B painted Magnum 500's for 1966 GT350.  The date code on the box is 9-12-74, making the wheel produced sometime prior to that.  By how much is uncertain.  It is hard to capture the color, but close.  Both the gray and the black are very flat.  The gray is a little darker in person.  Maybe better with natural light.

Notice the part number stamped on the wheel is missing the "C" in 795, making the absent "C" wheel a painted wheel.  Wheels with 795C are chrome.

There are other numbers such as M 4 over 3.  Not sure if these convert to a date code or not.

Enjoy

Cory
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: 6s1640 on September 17, 2018, 11:57:35 PM
Hi all,

Here are four of the several 66 GT350's that were at SAAC 43 with the painted Magnum 500's.  I think there were a couple more.

Enjoy

Cory
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: gjz30075 on September 18, 2018, 05:02:53 AM
I just happen to be reading The Shelby American #55 (1989) and in the SAAC mailbag there's this very question.   The editors answer
is: "According to original Shelby American documents, the correct color is DuPont no. H-780-95176.   It was described as 'silver'
but it is actually a flat or semi gloss gray (sometimes called argent)."    The editor goes on to acknowledge that this may no longer be
available.

So it looks like even 29 years ago, it was a bit of a crapshoot.

Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: mike-mustang on September 20, 2018, 05:56:16 PM
Hello,
Thanks for the reply's.
I'm going to give the Dupont number to my paint shop maybe they can reproduce the paint.
I also think a light grey paint with a flatting argent will be better than primer.
The rougher surface can I obtain by putting less solvent in the paint and take a bigger nozzle and paint with low air-pressure

Here some pictures of the project so far.
Now the engine has been taken apart.
Still a lot of work to do.
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: Bob Gaines on September 20, 2018, 06:29:17 PM
Hello,
Thanks for the reply's.
I'm going to give the Dupont number to my paint shop maybe they can reproduce the paint.
I also think a light grey paint with a flatting argent will be better than primer.
The rougher surface can I obtain by putting less solvent in the paint and take a bigger nozzle and paint with low air-pressure

Here some pictures of the project so far.
Now the engine has been taken apart.
Still a lot of work to do.
It looks like it will be a great pleasure driver. It looks like you have already made a lot of non assemblyline detailing choices . If you decide to do the engine with more of a assemblyline look there are many topics you can search and review on this forum. If you want to do your own thing when building then it is your car so go for it. It is best to try to do a search first for detailing answers however if you can't find the answer then ask we will all try and help. 
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: SFM6S087 on September 21, 2018, 01:47:04 AM
Great pics, Miguel. Thanks for sharing those. Do you mind telling us which car you have - SFM6S__?__

Steve
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: gt350hr on September 21, 2018, 10:54:03 AM
800-1,000 range?
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: mike-mustang on September 21, 2018, 12:11:01 PM
This is #775
It's going to be a driver for sure.
Ok I could do more assembly correct detailing, the front suspension and steering are MOOG parts and they don't come with the correct color, rivets, stamps... bud the quality is much more better than some correct style parts.
The car was some where in France sitting in a garage collecting dust since mid / late 80's, it has been used for regularity rally's.
It was well equipped with extra lights on the front.
Inside there was a non original console with a lot of switches, trip masters and CB radio.
It has definitely been used and abused.
The interior is still in good shape, it just needs a good clean up.
The only thing that I have to change is the carpet and dash pad, not that is was cracked, bud they drilled holes in it for a trip-master and reading light.
It was Claude Dubois who knew about this Shelby, from time to time he comes over to visit my shop to follow up this project.
Claude was a successful race driver in the 60-70, and exclusive dealer for Shelby, DeTomaso, AC,...
He competed Le Mans in 1967 with SFM5R539 
This is a nice interview with him about that car.
http://www.ponysite.de/sheleur_dubois.htm (http://www.ponysite.de/sheleur_dubois.htm)
Bud I think you all know aboud that...
Title: Re: Color code 14" Magnum 500 wheels
Post by: SFM6S087 on September 22, 2018, 12:29:44 AM
Thanks for the additional info about your special car. Interesting history. Sounds like it should be a solid, reliable driver when you get finished. Good luck with the restoration, and I know you’ll have fun driving it when finished.

Steve