56 rear fender color

[kencombs]

Stripping my truck reveals what appears to be original black paint on the rear fenders, under two layers of red.  The rest of the body was red from the factory, + at least two red repaints.  I haven't really started on the bed sides but a small area looks like they were red originally. 

 

 

Were black running boards and rear fenders a thing in 56?

 

It's going to be Viper Red when it goes back together but I'm thinking black fenders would look pretty good. 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2022 by kencombs

[JBNeal]

Thumbing through several of Bunn's books, C-series beds and rear fenders were painted like the major color of the rest of the truck; running boards were black.

[kencombs]

9 hours ago, JBNeal said:

Thumbing through several of Bunn's books, C-series beds and rear fenders were painted like the major color of the rest of the truck; running boards were black.

That's what I see too.  I first thought the black was a primer, but there are no traces of it on the cab or front fenders/hood.   As much evidence of prior body work and repaints as I've seen so far, there could be a lot of explanations I guess.  replacement bed?, but it is the low bed side and I haven't seen many of those.  Just lots of body work on the cab removed the black base coat?  Every panel has evidence of damage, rust or repair.  Thankfully, most of that is redone and behind me.  Should finish the epoxy next week.

 

All that remains to repair is lower cab, center back.  Rust caused by leaking rear window I think.  There was a 1/4" gap in the bottom center of the window seal where the joint had failed and the rubber shrunk.  Oh, the running boards too.  Really bad.