Steering column support color?
 

I have taken off both the doors from my 29 tudor to start their refinishing this winter. I was a standing by the car planning my attack on re-restoring the front half. I'l will be repainting the gas tank and noticed the steering column support. Is it supposed to be body color, black, or half body color half black? I did an image search on Google and found all three! (see pictures below) Which is correct?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

I searched the judging standards, and did not find the answer. Logic would suggest that the upper part of the clamp would be body color, as it is part of the gas tank. Logic would also suggest that since the clamp was added when the body was dropped, it would make sense for all the bottom half of the clamps to be black, unless the clamp was together when the tank was painted. Since the standards say the slotted head bolts that hold the clamp together could be painted, or cadmium plated, I guess it could go either way.
In other words, I dont know, except in my car, which is all black.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

the whole support was painted with the gas tank using the same color

Re: Steering column support color?
 

What about the late 31's that that had the column mount to the dash, not the tank?

Re: Steering column support color?
 

those were dipped in black enamel except the convertible sedan which was lower body color

Re: Steering column support color?
 

There is a film by Ford that must have been made in late 27 and it shows the entire support as tank color on the assembly line.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

That would mean that the lower support half would have to have been removed and then reinstalled once the body was dropped. Two extra steps doesn't sound like Henry's way. Mine (although I have no idea if it is original) has a black lower half with body color upper. Dipping the lowers all black and having a big bin of completed lowers ready for assembly would be more efficient.

However an original Ford assembly line film showing both halves body color is strong evidence. I would love to hear from a Ford Barn member who has, or has access to an original unrestored model A.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

here is a pic from the JS page 12-15 showing the lower steering collumn support painted tank color. i would also like to know how the assembly / painting process was on this particular part.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

Below is a picture I took of Dave Lopes Henry award winning 28 phaeton at French Lick in 2010. Lower clamp painted body color. I think he knew what he was doing.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Steering column support color?
 

instead of being painted on the car, since there was a finite amount of colors the cars were painted could they have been painted before hand and whoever did the body install matched the correct color?

Re: Steering column support color?
 

Remember the leather insulator needed to be installed around the steering collumn tube

Re: Steering column support color?
 

Vermin came with a cast iron steering drop block UNDER the column & it & the clamp was mounted with longer slot head screws. I ordered the proper screws & removed it. They were painted tank color. I "guess" someone decided NOT to put it above the tube & use it for a drop block. I've "heard" that if you loosen the steering gear mounting bolts, & tug down on the upper column, the DROP BLOCK goes in easily. Since it is hollowed out on the back, it would be a trick place to mount a couple of small toggle switches. The block would "probably" fetch $417.00 on E-Bay!
Bill W.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

According to the judging standards the insulator was a "cloth reenforced rubber strap with chamfered ends".

Re: Steering column support color?
 

In a "pinch", just fill the space with Black RTV & smooth it nicely, works GOOD.
Bill W.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

You are indeed correct. If Dave did it, it is correct! Wayne

Re: Steering column support color?
 

More evidence for both halves being body color. That is the way I am going to go unless evidence to the contrary surfaces.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

Thanks Mitch

Re: Steering column support color?
 

yea my mistake. i would have looked in the book to reference the exact composition but it was not with me,.. thanks Joe

Re: Steering column support color?
 

I would have thought the lower half was black (out of the bin) and the upper was body color. I had a NOS lower and it had thick black paint like it had been dipped.

Re: Steering column support color?
 

maybe it was to be mated with a black gas tank