The Ford Barn

Lawson Cox · 07-19-2015, 02:04 AM

Why do so many folks paint the firewalls black, regardless of body color. I think it looks cheesy myself. How did the trend get started?

DavidG · 07-19-2015, 05:00 AM

If you mean '32s, all were black as the firewall was not an integral part of the body, but rather it was effectively a part of the chassis.

Lawson Cox · 07-19-2015, 07:25 AM

No, I am not talking about 32's. Seems mostly street rodders.

okiedokie · 07-19-2015, 08:22 AM

I think it was started when one rebellious guy heard that all firewalls should be body color.

41Fordor · 07-19-2015, 08:31 AM

Maybe when Mustangers got into flatheads?

Fred A · 07-19-2015, 08:43 AM

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In about 1960 I followed the another trend and painted the firewall, inside fender and wells, and rear axle white. Beyond the firewall, anything that could be seen went white under my '41 pickup. White remained fashonable for decades. Can see where I and other low buck guys would use spray can black to clean-up a firewall where custom or other body color might be less convenient and more expensive. Good Luck: Fred A

1931 flamingo · 07-19-2015, 10:47 AM

Back in 61 when I built my 32, the firewall was white until I covered it with a sheet of polished aluminum.
Paul in CT

sidevalve8ba · 07-19-2015, 12:08 PM

Mike B · 07-19-2015, 01:59 PM

I like black firewalls..below the reveal.

JSeery · 07-19-2015, 02:01 PM

I was going to say most I have seen are white or some lighter color. I think black is more of a muscle car thing (and some factory) from the 60s.

Ol' Ron · 07-19-2015, 04:02 PM

White reflects heat, black absorbs it.

jimTN · 07-19-2015, 07:56 PM

Its from the drugstoe hotrodders setting at the soda ftn reading the latest mags.

Marv · 07-19-2015, 08:04 PM

In the old days i think the black firewalls were so you could not see all the blow by oil all over the firewall. LOL

TJ · 07-19-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Why do so many folks paint the firewalls black, regardless of body color. I think it looks cheesy myself. How did the trend get started?

Is this a real problem? It's a guy's car and he can paint the firewall any color he desires.

Tinker · 07-19-2015, 08:54 PM

Now let's put a flat aluminum firewall in the mix.

Tinker · 07-19-2015, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred A

In about 1960 I followed the another trend and painted the firewall, inside fender and wells, and rear axle white. Beyond the firewall, anything that could be seen went white under my '41 pickup. White remained fashonable for decades. Can see where I and other low buck guys would use spray can black to clean-up a firewall where custom or other body color might be less convenient and more expensive. Good Luck: Fred A

Kinda think this is more true.

37 Coupe · 07-20-2015, 08:51 AM

Nothing as sharp as a checkered flag painted firewall on a fenderless roadster. Gloss paint not flat so as not to be offensive.

07-19-2015, 02:04 AM	#1
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	What's this thing with black firewalls? Why do so many folks paint the firewalls black, regardless of body color. I think it looks cheesy myself. How did the trend get started? __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

07-19-2015, 07:25 AM	#3
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? No, I am not talking about 32's. Seems mostly street rodders. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

07-19-2015, 08:22 AM	#4
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 519	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? I think it was started when one rebellious guy heard that all firewalls should be body color.

07-19-2015, 08:31 AM	#5
41Fordor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cheyenne WY Posts: 187	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? Maybe when Mustangers got into flatheads?

07-19-2015, 08:43 AM	#6
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Used To Be White Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In about 1960 I followed the another trend and painted the firewall, inside fender and wells, and rear axle white. Beyond the firewall, anything that could be seen went white under my '41 pickup. White remained fashonable for decades. Can see where I and other low buck guys would use spray can black to clean-up a firewall where custom or other body color might be less convenient and more expensive. Good Luck: Fred A

07-19-2015, 10:47 AM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? Back in 61 when I built my 32, the firewall was white until I covered it with a sheet of polished aluminum. Paul in CT

07-19-2015, 12:08 PM	#8
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 842	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? __________________ The more I learn about new automobiles, the more I value my old ones.

07-19-2015, 01:59 PM	#9
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? I like black firewalls..below the reveal.

07-19-2015, 02:01 PM	#10
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? I was going to say most I have seen are white or some lighter color. I think black is more of a muscle car thing (and some factory) from the 60s.

07-19-2015, 04:02 PM	#11
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? White reflects heat, black absorbs it.

07-19-2015, 07:56 PM	#12
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? Its from the drugstoe hotrodders setting at the soda ftn reading the latest mags.

07-19-2015, 08:04 PM	#13
Marv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 875	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? In the old days i think the black firewalls were so you could not see all the blow by oil all over the firewall. LOL

07-19-2015, 08:54 PM	#15
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? Now let's put a flat aluminum firewall in the mix.

07-20-2015, 08:51 AM	#17
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: What's this thing with black firewalls? Nothing as sharp as a checkered flag painted firewall on a fenderless roadster. Gloss paint not flat so as not to be offensive. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II