firewall overspray

[x77-69z28]

the subframe was NOT in the car when the body was painted

[JohnZ]

the subframe was NOT in the car when the body was painted

Correct - the body was just a shell from the firewall back when it was painted on the Fisher Body side of the plant; the subframe wasn't attached until two days later on the Chevrolet side of the plant, after the Chevrolet-painted front end sheet metal was installed.

[Ron C.]

Thanks Guys, thats great info.Too bad nobody has any old pics of the camaro assembly line at these points of assembly.that would be cool.

[JohnZ]

Here's a photo of the '67 Camaro subframe, engine, chassis and driveline being installed to the overhead body - note that the Chevrolet front sheet metal is already assembled to the body.

[Dave69x33]

Hello Everyone,

I did not intend to state that it was the "rule" that the blackout paint was to "only run" up to the weld seam between the cowl panel and firewall-floor pan.  As the pics of survivor cars show, the firewall blackout paint "generally" runs up to and feathers along the top edge, and not a nice clean taped edge.  I learned this “general rule” while my 69Z was being judged during the 2000 Camaro Nationals in Columbus, OH., from Larry Christiansen (some of you may have seen Larry's Camaros over the years at shows and in magazines) and the World Wide Camaro Association Judges.  "Generally", the judges look for the blackout paint to "at least" run up to firewall weld seam and/or feather out along the top of the cowl edge.  Along the passenger side of the car, where the weld seam runs within with in 1" - 2" from the top edge, and survivor Camaros show many variations along this area. 

I also have been cataloging pics of survivor 69 Camaros over the years.  It took me 4-years to restore mine and I tried to follow what I observed on survivors, particularly Camaros assembled near the build date of mine "05A".

It’s important that we post as many pics of survivors, with associated build dates, on this web site to help guide other 1st Gen Camaro owners during their restorations.  I wish I wound have discovered this site long before I started my restoration!

Here are a few pics of firewall blackout paint I have seen on survivor 69's. 

Thank for all your info and pics!

[Dave69x33]

Sorry, I forgot the pics. 

[Dave69x33]

Here are a couple more from a suvivor 69 Pace Car.

[Dave69x33]

JohnZ,

I ran across a pic of your firewall and trim tag showing very little firewall black in the area around the trim tag. 

As it turned out, my restored Z28 firewall black out paint pattern is similar to your car.  Again, I was very explicit with my painter to spray the black up near top edge of the cowl but to allow it to feather out and not necessary even completely cover the entire firewall.
 

[Ron C.]

So what the pics show is a blend along the top and not way down by the seam, I guessing they sprayed at an angle along the top and then the black was sprayed as close to the top without getting to the top edge.That would also cover the trim plate with mostly black. Was this painting done by hand or machine?

[JohnZ]

The firewall blackout was done manually, using a simple cardboard spray shield along the upper edge; it was done in the same booth as the trunk spatter paint and the rocker blackout.

[Ron C.]

John,was it the same for the 67 model year? The red Z pics of the firewall look like they really got it down to an art, im wondering if the 67 cars were more would you say less refined (more sloppy) with more car color down by the trim plate.anyone have pics of a 67 car? Maybe Jerry can show a pic of his survivor 67Z? Oh John,thanks for that pic of the white 67 on the assembly line,it could be mine !!! Just kidding

[KurtS]

Ron,
The subframe was installed later. Take a glance at the assembly article.

[Ron C.]

Thanks Kurt, I kinda figured it was but it must have been a neat trick to have the nose of the car on without the rad support connected to the subframe. 

[JohnZ]

The complete front sheet metal "doghouse", including the inner fenders and corner braces, is an extremely stiff assembly all by itself when all five fender-to-cowl bolts and the three inner fender-to-dash brace bolts at the rear on both sides are tight; makes for a very rigid "box" structure.

[firstgenaddict]

Black survivor...