What kind of crayons did the factory use when they marked our cars?

Thanks for your help guys and keep on posting the info.I think it would be pretty neat to put the factory marking back on my car like the way it was. I'm basically building a "Time Machine" which is why I'm asking for these markings.

Ken,I appreciate the pictures you posted and also the info on ABCO. I'll stop by their store on Monday.


So,by the info you guys have supplied me,what I need to do is mark my interior trim code near the regulator,and then mark a D and then an A for Automatic(?) above my power booster. Is there anything else I have to write on my car while I'm at it?

 

Carl, I don't think the automatics were marked.
I believe if it wasn't marked "C" for clutch, the automatic was a given.
I never heard of a marking for them, but I'm sure someone out there knows 100% for sure.

Jeff

 

Carl, no "A" next to the "D" for disc brakes. This was Buick, most cars were built with an automatic and power drum brakes. Cars with an auto and power drums would have had no markings, as they were the norm, not something unsusual as a disc brake car or, heaven forbid!!, a car with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION!!

 

Brad and Ken,
I hate to do this to you guys, but I have a picture somewhere of a 70 Stage 1 4 speed with a "PC" written in crayon over the master cylinder hole, it had power drums.

Here is how it goes
M Manual Brakes
P Power Drums
D Disc
C Clutch, Automatics were left blank.

I always thought the type of crayon used was Crayola, it worked for me.

I just looked at one of the pictures that Ken Lisk posted. The "43 B" that was under the voltage regulator is the exterior color codes, NOT the trim codes. 43 is Lime Mist, B is for a black vinyl top, which I think he has.
Sorry Ken.
Duane

 

Jezzz Duane, where in the world do you come up with that stuff!!! I'm not doubting you, but I never saw one with the P for Power Drums...I must lead a sheltered life!!!!

 

Here is a picture from a manual front drum automatic car.

 

Here is one from a power drum 4-speed car. If you look close you can see the tail of the P running right past the C.
Duane

 

Oops! That's what I get for going from memory!

You are correct, sir!

 

on dreamcar garage , peter klute showed a box of marking crayons that they use to mark the firewalls , etc . of vehicles .
where he purchased them , i have no idea , but he did say that are available . maybe an email to him would help .

 

I understand the correctness for a 100% show car, but I also find it funny how everyone, including myself, will pour over even the smallest detail that was given the least amount of attention during assembly. Things like markings that were scribbed in a second and jacking instructions stickers placed in the general vicinity of someone's hand.

 

My hood has a yellow date stamp on the underside.

 

Joe-

That probably means you're somewhat more mentally stable than some of us others here! :grin:

Personally, I enjoy trying to put things back as they were. For me, it's just part of the hobby. Part archaeology/part restoration. I've been real interested in finding out finishes of various parts right down to the washers. I want to duplicate as closely as possible what my car looked like the day it was built. That will probably include some of the original sloppiness of the markings and various paint dabs.

Again, speaking strictly for myself, I get satisfaction out of it. Sure, it will take me longer to complete the work I'm doing, but that's ok; it's not my daily driver.

I have no problem with people that would prefer to paint everything as high a gloss as possible under the hood with tons of chrome. If it looks good to the owner, that's the way it should be.

To each his own.

 

Come ken admit it "IT'S THE CHALLENGE" were all nuts:laugh: :laugh:





owen

 

LOL, I FREELY admit it Owen! :laugh:

I loved walking up and down the row of concours cars at Quaker and looking for differences and subtleties. But shhhh, don't tell my wife, she already thinks I'm insane when it comes to cars! :eek2:

And being nuts is relative. we are all normal on this forum. :Brow:

 

As most of you know me,I'm a perfectionist. I'm always striving to get that last detail done and when it comes to restoring a car,it is extremely difficult to do.But to me it's a challenge,and there's nothing wrong with making things the way they used to be.Call it the "Lunitic Fringe". As it was,our cars were put together haphazardly and nobody really knew what was right and what was wrong.The typical factory cars really weren't by any means show cars;yes,some of us overrestore our cars,but if you are going to make the effort,why not do it better than the factory? It's only up until recently have we found information that tells us how our cars were put together. Unless some of you have cars(like Ken's) that haven't been torn apart ,how would you know what was correct? If you look from car to car,you can see the production variences as the production line changed-no car was the same as the other.When you get to the obscure models,the information is really scarce. I've now gotten to the point that I've gone this far with my restoration and now there's no turning back. What I truly like is the fact that I am preserving a part of American history,and as most of you know they don't build cars like this anymore. I figure why not try to recreate the details and at least try to turn back time. Some say it's a sickness,but I say it's therapy. That is what makes this hobby so great.

 

OK Duane (or anyone else), let me test you.
My car has very clear original markings on the firewall, and everywhere else.
I have the "M" for manual brakes, but what is the "t" beneath it ?

 

Hey guys

The marking crayons were the same ones used to mark tires. A local tire shop may be able to help.

Dave

 

Eric,
I don't have a clue, was this on your 67GS? I also have seen some X's written in crayon, and all manners of other markings/ink stampings on other cars. My 72 442 had a square green ink stamp with "SS" in the middle. I thought it was great to have an SS 442, but had no idea what it meant.

I have also seen an X marking a dimple in the firewall that needed drilled for some accessory.

Maybe your car was a quality plus car. Quality plus cars were selected at random to see how good the fit/finish was.
Duane

 

Yes, this is on my 67 GS. BUT remember it's a 67 GS, but came with a matching numbers 300-2bbl. It's a freak.

Anyhow..I hope for the line worker's sake this car wa not a quality plus car. The fit and finish is terrible. One body mount was so bad, it had to be moved, literally rewelded, to be able to get a bolt through it, due to the factory's error in placement. In fact the more I work on this thing, the more I realize how "off" things are.

Thanks for your info Duane, if you find anything out please let me know.

 

Markings

When I restored my 70 Stage 1, the fire wall was marked in white crayon, 25 B. The car is Gulfstream Blue with a black top, don't remember any markings for the brakes but it does have disc. Also, on the side of the cowl (after the drivers fender was removed) was "69" in yellow crayon. I thought the 69 referred to the body, like in service manuals but don't really now. Anyone have an idea?