Black Car of the World War II era

[JIPJOBXX]

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Here is what makes a blackout car different than other cars. Notice the differences in door handles. This was due to the war department sending out orders to the different car manufactures after WWII started. They stated in reports that the car manufactures could keep on building civilian cars but could not use any precious metals such as chrome. So the car manufactures used up what chrome materials they had in stock and when that depeated they just painted the none chrome parts. Here is an example as I'm getting to repaint the door handles and the front two both side were just painted and the rear two were left over stock that was chrome plated but could be used. In order to make the cars look right the manufactures painted all the chrome and none chrome items one color and that is why a Black-out car has it's trim painted. They only made such cars for about two months after the war started and then ceased civilian production and went into full time war cars.

Edited May 22, 2011 by JIPJOBXX
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[randroid]

JIPJOBXX,

I didn't know that was the reason for not chroming stuff. I guess I thought it was related to slits in covered headlights and never gave it any more thought. Thanks.

-Randy