My 54 has the remains of burlap attached to the crossmember over the top of the sway bar to the bottom of the radiator support. Does anyone has a picture of intact burlap? I assume it's brown burlap. Also what is the best paint to paint the black in the engine compartment?

Larry

 

Great looking '54. I'm not familiar with the burlap you're speaking of and my chassis manual shows pictures of the radiator core support with no mention of such.Maybe someone else will chime in with info.As for the inner panel paint, Bill Hirsh Co. has a complete line of paint products and his "chassis black" should be well suited.It is available in spray can or probably Quarts either. Best of luck from another Tennessean, Larry

 

Mine all have the remnants as well - I believe "Restoration Specialties" has something like it - would be nice to find a photo of it intact

 

Yes if someone has a picture I would like to see it also. I've never even seen remnant pieces, didn't know they existed....Tedd

 

Where exactly is it located,it will be interesting to check out ,because my car has not been restored as such,and only has only been driven 49,000 Miles since new. Larry

 

I found the remnants of the material which has been discussed in a channel shaped metal brace underneath the radiator.The channel had a dozen or so holes drilled in it and every other one had a 1/4" or so metal push in clip still attached.Under each clip are some of the
"Burlap type material " although mine seemed to be somewhat rubberized.Could be because my car was under coated by Greibe-Fisher Olds in St. Louis before it was delivered to the original owner. Larry

 

Could be an early form of gravel shield. My '57 sedan had a metal gravel shield under the treadle vac.

 

These are some photos with some annotation from the disassembly of my 38,000 mile original 1955 2 door sedan. Most of the burlap was there although basically fell apart if you touched it. Hope these help.

 

Very interesting, I wonder why its never mentioned or points deducted at the Nationals or other concourse or point type shows? Was it a dealer option thing much like undercoating?....Tedd

 

By your photos you had more left than I do. The holes and fasteners look factory. My Dad bought the car new and I have had it since the early 70's and it has always been there.

 

I have no traces of it on my 54. Weird.

 

My '55 Non-Super 88 Holiday Sedan, also untouched original (barn find sitting since 1969) has it as well - very intact. I would have photographed that one but it's in a separate building with poor lighting and I'm keeping that car untouched as sort of a "blueprint" car for reassembly of everything else.


I think they all had it, but most likely most of it was gone within the first 10 years of the cars' life...whether from deterioration or from being removed for some sort of repair.


As for the point deduction, I'd be willing to bet that most judges, not unlike most of us, are not even aware that it's supposed to be there. I'm sure that someone at a Pebble Beach or an AACA show would be aware of it.

 

I spoke to an 55 expert about the burlap and said yes it is in these locations and was sandwiched between two pieces of tan paper. He mentioned the poor quality and short lifespan of this. He does make exact reproductions if anyone is interested.

 

Yes, Hairy, can you provide contact info?

 

I have judged '55 &'56 Class 6 at OCA Nats several times and have only seen this material installed in one ultra-high point restoration about 15 years ago. Never have gotten an authorative answer for its existence.

 

I will as my friend if he would like to provide his info. He did state he is interested in selling reproduction pieces that would fit in these areas.
He has a 19,000 mile 55 that has these pieces still on the car and that is what he used for a template.

 

If he has the original for a pattern it probably would not take much to reproduce it. I expect there will be a pretty limited market. There is no way I would put it on my car but that is just me.

 

I would be interested in reproductions