New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mk_kbk · 01-05-2007, 11:11 AM

Hi:
I'm working over a '53 chevy that has been in the family. To my surprise, everything works; engine (great compression), tranny, guages, etc. Pulled the bed out to replace and will be doing body work. The original color was the stock juniper green. I want to get back to the original look, will add no chrome but am wondering if I can get away with a different color as 10 were offered at the time under the title RPO 234. Anybody know what "RPO" means and what it took to get a different color in '53??

jsbgump · 01-05-2007, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the board from a fellow Texan

solidaxel · 01-05-2007, 11:54 AM

What a fun and knowlegable site you will have much support!
Welcome aboard

pgf545 · 01-05-2007, 12:03 PM

Welcome from another Texan..post some pictures on the 47-59 forum. I have no idea what RPO means but I bet someone will know pretty soon.

Bernie

bretcopsey · 01-05-2007, 12:18 PM

Pretty sure RPO means Regular Production Order. I think the most famous RPO used began in 1967 "z28"-it's used to denote styling trim, suspension packages etc. If 234 denoted body color for these trucks, then there should be some corresponding paint code with it to show the line workers what color to paint.

Not sure what was available as factory colors for these trucks, or how the color was documented on the body, if at all. It may have only been on the build sheet that was used at the factory?? My personal feeling is to just select the color that you like most and get it painted. To me, there is no sense in paying top dollar for a paint job and using a color that you don't like just because "that's how it came from the factory." Of course, I'd probably feel differently if I were into "factory original" type cars/trucks...

BTW, welcome!

mk_kbk · 01-05-2007, 12:45 PM

bretcopsey: I do hate the juniper green. My dilemma is that there is nothing on this truck that is not original or not working. What to do, what to do.

krue · 01-05-2007, 01:17 PM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

Pickles · 01-05-2007, 02:22 PM

Welcome from Ky,
here is a pretty good site imo
http://1954advance-design.homeip.net...gn-Colors.html

solidaxel · 01-05-2007, 04:48 PM

MK,
fix it up with todays standards, under the skin, and leave the outside the way it came from the factory

86swb · 01-05-2007, 10:45 PM

Welcome to the board from Western Kentucky.

FarmTruk · 01-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bretcopsey

Pretty sure RPO means Regular Production Order. I think the most famous RPO used began in 1967 "z28"-it's used to denote styling trim, suspension packages etc. If 234 denoted body color for these trucks, then there should be some corresponding paint code with it to show the line workers what color to paint.

Not sure what was available as factory colors for these trucks, or how the color was documented on the body, if at all. It may have only been on the build sheet that was used at the factory?? My personal feeling is to just select the color that you like most and get it painted. To me, there is no sense in paying top dollar for a paint job and using a color that you don't like just because "that's how it came from the factory." Of course, I'd probably feel differently if I were into "factory original" type cars/trucks...

BTW, welcome!

"Regular" Production Order as opposed to a "Customer" production order. This is what the factory just decided the truck should have. (I think).

A BIG HOWDY from Wallburg, NC.

shaneschevys · 01-06-2007, 02:26 AM

Welcome from FT Worth.

Bandit76 · 01-06-2007, 03:12 AM

from Kelowna

LUV2XCLR8 · 01-06-2007, 08:38 AM

From West TN

method2mymadnes · 01-06-2007, 02:34 PM

**Canadian694x4** · 01-08-2007, 05:14 AM

Welcome To The Boards From The Great White North!

**Ron 586** · 01-15-2007, 12:21 AM

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.

*bskylerj* · 01-15-2007, 12:25 AM

Welcome from Washington State

01-05-2007, 11:11 AM	#1
mk_kbk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 3	New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Hi: I'm working over a '53 chevy that has been in the family. To my surprise, everything works; engine (great compression), tranny, guages, etc. Pulled the bed out to replace and will be doing body work. The original color was the stock juniper green. I want to get back to the original look, will add no chrome but am wondering if I can get away with a different color as 10 were offered at the time under the title RPO 234. Anybody know what "RPO" means and what it took to get a different color in '53??

01-05-2007, 11:38 AM	#2
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome to the board from a fellow Texan __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

01-05-2007, 11:54 AM	#3
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton What a fun and knowlegable site you will have much support! Welcome aboard __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

01-05-2007, 12:03 PM	#4
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome from another Texan..post some pictures on the 47-59 forum. I have no idea what RPO means but I bet someone will know pretty soon. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021 Last edited by pgf545; 01-05-2007 at 12:04 PM.

01-05-2007, 12:18 PM	#5
bretcopsey Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: dayton, oh Posts: 327	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Pretty sure RPO means Regular Production Order. I think the most famous RPO used began in 1967 "z28"-it's used to denote styling trim, suspension packages etc. If 234 denoted body color for these trucks, then there should be some corresponding paint code with it to show the line workers what color to paint. Not sure what was available as factory colors for these trucks, or how the color was documented on the body, if at all. It may have only been on the build sheet that was used at the factory?? My personal feeling is to just select the color that you like most and get it painted. To me, there is no sense in paying top dollar for a paint job and using a color that you don't like just because "that's how it came from the factory." Of course, I'd probably feel differently if I were into "factory original" type cars/trucks... BTW, welcome! __________________ My 51 project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825 My 68 Camaro project http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2277404/1 Last edited by bretcopsey; 01-05-2007 at 12:21 PM.

01-05-2007, 12:45 PM	#6
mk_kbk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 3	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton bretcopsey: I do hate the juniper green. My dilemma is that there is nothing on this truck that is not original or not working. What to do, what to do.

01-05-2007, 01:17 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-05-2007, 02:22 PM	#8
Pickles Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dickson,Tn Posts: 811	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome from Ky, here is a pretty good site imo http://1954advance-design.homeip.net...gn-Colors.html __________________ Pickles

01-05-2007, 04:48 PM	#9
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton MK, fix it up with todays standards, under the skin, and leave the outside the way it came from the factory __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

01-05-2007, 10:45 PM	#10
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome to the board from Western Kentucky. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

01-06-2007, 02:26 AM	#12
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome from FT Worth. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

01-06-2007, 03:12 AM	#13
Bandit76 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 3,606	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton from Kelowna __________________ 2011 Chev Silverado LT 1500 4x4 Crew Cab 5.3l 2005 Toyota 4Runner family beater ...would have more but my yard ain't all that big... ..nothing like a Chevy fence all bought and paid for.. ...there's a few holes in it though...

01-06-2007, 08:38 AM	#14
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton From West TN __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

01-06-2007, 02:34 PM	#15
method2mymadnes Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dyersburg, TN Posts: 327	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton __________________ 87% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

01-08-2007, 05:14 AM	#16
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome To The Boards From The Great White North! __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.



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01-15-2007, 12:21 AM	#17
Ron 586 RIP Mr Ron Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Sandy, Tn. 38221 Posts: 8,166	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. __________________ Ron (Mr Round Tuit) Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle TN Message Forum TN Facebook Group SETN Truck Show My Photobucket

01-15-2007, 12:25 AM	#18
bskylerj Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SPOKANE, WASHINGTON Posts: 1,001	Re: New to site: rebuilding a 53 chevy half ton Welcome from Washington State

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