Chevrolet photos wanted

[David Herbert]

Regarding the question of the use of chrome grills on military production, I visited someone yesterday who has a number of vehicles (several makes) that were new to the US military and have chrome grills. When I commented on this he pointed out that they were not chromed but were actually pressed from stainless steel. On close inspection I was absolutely satisfied that they were stainless and were original to the vehicles, which were unrestored US imports and very much unmolested.

These sort of components would normally have been manufactured in a very large batch at the start of that model year's production, and in a quantity to suit the anticipated production needs. With each manufacturer moving over to mostly purely military models, the production of light vehicles with more or less civilian front ends would have greatly reduced so the parts stock would have lasted much longer than a normal model year. The choice would be then to either use the stainless ones or to scrap them and make painted ones. As these vehicles were not for front line use they evidently opted to use up stock. The vehicles that I inspected did however have painted parts that on civilian ones would have been chromed so they had discontinued chroming to some degree.

David

[Lang]

Thanks for that David.

I think the Chevrolet ones were chrome as I have seen plenty of rusted ones - see photo below. Not to say they did not have stainless as well. The engine side strips could well have been stainless. The bumpers were certainly chrome.

I believe the most common "shiny" bit on this type of civilian/military vehicle is the vertical centre strip on the Dodges - of all sizes. This is commonly stainless and may have been in use right through although painted over in many cases. The horizontal dress strips (probably chrome) were dropped.

I agree about the huge stocks of parts in the store. This was before the days of "just in time" supply chains and hundreds of millions would have been invested in dead stock awaiting use in stores at the factory. The production and transport systems were inadequate at that time to guarantee no assembly line stoppages awaiting parts as they can now. As little as 24 hours reserve stock is now held on production lines sending out over a thousand cars a week.

Lang

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Lang

I agree about the huge stocks of parts in the store. This was before the days of "just in time" supply chains and hundreds of millions would have been invested in dead stock awaiting use in stores at the factory. The production and transport systems were inadequate at that time to guarantee no build stoppages awaiting parts as they can now. As little as 24 hours reserve stock is now held on production lines sending out over a thousand cars a week.

I, for one, am glad they made the surplus of parts. The large build of parts is at least partly responsible for the availability of NOS parts for our trucks. Can you imagine trying to restore a current vehicle built with "just in time" parts in 70 years? It's hard enough getting Ford to have parts available for my (2006) F-350 when I need them.