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I was at a local car show a week ago and spotted a 1969 Camaro. Taking a closer look, it was 10E (Oct. 68) LA built Camaro. Looked between the rear quarter panel and rear tire and found remnants of black paint on the gas tank. There was also black paint on the rear springs. Just another observation of LA built Camaro's.

Dan

Thank you HansL for posting the link. Again William points out several things that were unique to an LA build. I found this old post "van nuys firewall markings"; http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=14307.0
In the body of the post, firstgenaddict has a post showing an early 1 owner unrestored 69 Z28. In that picture, it clearly shows how the stripe masking was done (soft edge at cowl, firewall intersection). That too has been my observation looking at 69Z28's built at LA.
HansL I will be looking through some of my old pictures and try to find other details unique to LA builds. I've sure enjoyed the responses to the original post and look forward to future ones.

Dan   

Thank you for your post Kurt as bare rear leaf springs is what I have generally observed too. I'm now turning a corner which does not suggest black paint was used only on LA Built Camaro's but also on many other GM Product lines. General Spring was the main manufacture, supplier to GM starting in the mid-sixties. I've traversed through a few websites relating to first gen. Camaro's and Firebird's and also second gen Camaro's. There have been posts on each of the sites discussing the black paint on rear leaf springs and how to duplicate it when restoring them.
So here's my theory. Black paint was used to prevent rust during transportation and storage at GM Plants and it's longevity was probably limited. I'm guessing that they weren't even cleaned (prepped) prior to paint. With that in mind, I'm guessing the paint had a very short life span. Unfortunately without having a process spec. from either General Spring or GM the black paint found on some springs may be relegated to myth.
My car is an LA built 1969 Z/28 with an assembly date of 03 B and spent most of its life in Southern CA. When I acquired the car in the early eighties there was virtually no rust anywhere on the car. As mentioned in my initial post, my springs are coated in a black paint (utility type) on both sides from end to end. As best I can tell there's no black between spring leafs which suggests they were painted assembled.
The journey continues and I look forward to hearing more input from members.   

Where was the selling dealership?

Dan

I've enclosed a picture of a LA built (Feb. 69) Z/28. If you zoom in you can see the soft tape line of the Dover White stripe at the cowl.

On 69 Z/28's built at LA, the stripe color that (in my case is dover white) continues to the edge of the cowl. I've spent mant years observing how this was done. In general, LA cars have a soft edge tape line with no overspray onto the firewall. What I mean by a soft edge tape line is that the stripe termination is not perfect. I'm going to look through my picture collection and post a few examples. Is there anyone out there that has noticed this detail as well?

Dan

Thank you William, I've learned some new details I was not aware of. I plan to add a few more today and look forward to feedback.

Dan

I think that's a great idea! We would probably need to start a new post (blog) and this might be the first entry. Maybe Kurt could help us set something up.

Dan

Thank you to both of you for your input. It's been a journey learning about the differences of how LA built Camaros as opposed to Norwood. The black paint on the rear leaf springs has baffled me for years. With far fewer Camaros built at LA, I'm sure I will run into more items that are LA specific.

Thank you,

Dan

I'm soliciting input from owners of LA built Camaros. My 1969 Z/28 (March) has the original leaf springs which are painted black (satin) and not partially but complete on both sides. I've been in contact with other LA built Camaro owners (1st Gen.) and they report the same thing. I believe that John Mello in a previous post noted that the gas tank with some over spray on the rear springs were found to be black also. Looking forward to any input.

Thank you,

Dan

Yes there is a very nice reproduction underhood insulation made by REM. The only problem is they are very thick and really don't compress. When you try to install the clips (original or reproduction), they will at a minimum crack or break completely. I have a couple of ideas on how to possibly make the clips install without breaking but I'm also soliciting any ideas form the group at large.

Dan

A picture of an early take-off original underhood insulation pad from a 1969 Indy Pace Car. it has been lightly cleaned with simple green and put in storage for years.

Thank you William for posting the picture! To me it looks like there are black strands in the fiber weave that make it appear a little darker. I hope to get a picture of a friends original underhood insulation. If I do, I will certainly post it here.

Dan

I'm wondering if anyone might have an underhood insulation pad that they could share a picture of. I'm curious about the color of an original underhood insulation pad. I've seen many used, dirty originals and they appear to be a flat black in color. I suspect that it my be from years of dirt and grime (oil) but thought I would solicit input from the experts. Looking forward to any input you might have

Thank you,

Dan

1969 application beyond 9/68 would be 270 B-R.

Dan