[Steve Ciccalone]

Brent, frankly I think the process changed over four years and varied plant to plant. I have a very good early chassis, A8228, that is intact and has a lot of original paint on it. It is virtually all the same, the black has a semi-gloss cast but is not reflective. I haven't gone over every inch of it with a magnifying glass but it does not have lots of discernable runs in it. It is hard for me to tell if it is an asphalt base as Japan is described to be. A know a few professional paint experts. The next time one stops by I'll show him the chassis for an opinion. The chassis is clearly not like the one in the manual which seems to illustrate the fact that some parts were sprayed with proxilyn will smaller parts were dipped in enamel.

As you know MARC has taken the position that "black is black" and while some folks don't like this position, I'm beginning to think it takes some subjective position out of judging. I'm going to do each of my chassises in the manner I think duplicates like the original but would not presuppose my way is the only way. As long as the chassis components are not reflective and do not hide casting/machining/forging marks, I think it is all well and good, and this would include powder coating if it was done appropriately.

If people want to make an arguement about this, we might as well expand it to plating as today's approved processes and chemicals can't duplicate what was done 80 years ago.