Re: Dash Meshes and Back Pads

Posted by Ross On 2023/11/25 13:25:39

The panels are aluminum and annodized. There was no pattern in 55, just little rectangular holes. In the annodizing process the aluminum oxide on the surface of the aluminum is dyed. Seniors were dyed gold, juniors were left natural color.

In 56 there was an engine-turned pattern on the senior cars and they were dyed gold, including the Executives. Juniors got a textured pattern but they were again left natural color. That was not changed according interior trim .

The dye used on the senior cars was quite durable but not 100% resistant to light. Cars that have had sheltered lives have a very noticeable gold cast--pretty stunning especially in 56. Cars that have seen a lot of strong sunlight will fade completely to silver. My own 56 400 seems to have had an outdoorsy life and is just faintly gold. Remove an escutcheon, and there it is where the light did not hit.