Painted bumper, mirrors, and hub caps

[davem815]

What is you guys opinion on factory white painted bumpers, mirrors, and hub caps? I learned to drive on my dad's 1971 C-20 Custom with 307 and 3ott. I kind of like them on certain colors. I would love to recreate his truck. I've seen some pic posted that I really liked with painred bumpers.

[mmiddle]

If that is your speed then do it. There is something about a nice clean bone stock plain jane look circa 1971 that is beautiful.

Most of us go for the CST/Cheyenne option level, but go for it. I look forward to watching and admiring your build.

[leftybass209]

I'm all about it. I think it looks better on the 67-68 with the white grill but the 69-72 looks good too.

[bobs409]

One thing is for sure, you'll save yourself the hassle of dealing with crappy repro chrome!

I sometimes wish I went this route. Well, just when I look at my bumpers anyway...

[jeremy zander]

Something like this one..71 3/4 4x4 ..all white...bought this one to redo just like it is ..someday

[ksshane]

Thats whats so great about these vehicles. They look great many different ways.

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

Here's a beautiful 71 that was said to have 2,000 miles on IT'S white bumpers.

. . . .

[67swb72klb]

who does not like a nice super but........
I lean toward the plain ones like I would have bought new if i could have
I think i have seen that blue one before ?

[swamp rat]

And here i was thinking about painting all my white to Mat Black.. That blue truck is making me rethink that one..

[silentt]

I love the look of the white bumpers/mirrors and how it ties into the white roof on some. These trucks looks amazing 100 different ways though. Do what you what/like, you can't go wrong.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by davem815

What is you guys opinion on factory white painted bumpers, mirrors, and hub caps?

IMO, a great traditional look that has practically disappeared from the landscape. When the white paint is clean, solid and shiny, the contrast looks unbeatable, especially with a contrasting color. Last white painted hubcaps on base model trucks was 1978. Last white painted front bumper was 1981.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by davem815

What is you guys opinion on factory white painted bumpers, mirrors, and hub caps? I learned to drive on my dad's 1971 C-20 Custom with 307 and 3ott. I kind of like them on certain colors. I would love to recreate his truck. I've seen some pic posted that I really liked with painred bumpers.

At a custom car show they would be out of place but as a factory faithful bolt by bolt restoration they would be right on the mark! Seafoam Green and that creamy white....makes my heart go pitter-pat!

[sambudo]

Originally Posted by davem815

What is you guys opinion on factory white painted bumpers, mirrors, and hub caps? I learned to drive on my dad's 1971 C-20 Custom with 307 and 3ott. I kind of like them on certain colors. I would love to recreate his truck. I've seen some pic posted that I really liked with painred bumpers.

I like the painted bumpers, Mine are painted, i want to find a stock bumper for the rear.

[motorcritter]

The '70 C10 is getting the white-paint bumpers, wheel covers & mirror treatment- it was that way originally, except for body color mirrors (medium gold). I like plain Jane sleepers- underhood is where I want to get fancy!

[slikside]

We've spoken about this before Dave, but one thing I didn't say, and it really works for me: The painted accessories are OLD SCHOOL. For some, like my truck...they were factory, and I like keeping it that way (it's also more budget friendly). Tons of people are going the "dropped" route and after market wheels/bumpers and sport mirrors. And they are beautiful! These trucks look awesome that way. But it isn't old school, and there are far fewer that are. I find the older I get, the more old school I am.

Good luck with your decision.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by slikside

We've spoken about this before Dave, but one thing I didn't say, and it really works for me: The painted accessories are OLD SCHOOL. For some, like my truck...they were factory, and I like keeping it that way (it's also more budget friendly). Tons of people are going the "dropped" route and after market wheels/bumpers and sport mirrors. And they are beautiful! These trucks look awesome that way. But it isn't old school, and there are far fewer that are. I find the older I get, the more old school I am.

So many ways to go, for sure....Both of my 67-72's were trimmed out like this. Got the unchromed 67-70 bumper from a pal for RAT. It was paint it and move the signals behind the grille, or use the "pretty good" chrome bumper that was on the '71 front clip. So, I went with what I had last time...almost...

[davem815]

Thanks for the comments and pictures. I agree there are many directions you can take and I like most of them. I like the chome and luxury trucks, I also like the lowered race trucks style. I'm a former autocrosser.
I most like the bare bones work truck, like the ones in the 3/4 ton thread and the hauling and working truck threads. Due to sentimental reason of the memory of my father's '71, I'm dreaming/planning for when I have the time/money/shop space to do a build like the truck I remember growing up with.

[factorystock]

Nice truck slikside, the base model trucks are very nostalgic, it reminds us of the way many trucks were built in a simplier time. I would add this to the debate of which looks better. Most trucks you see with painted white rims, hubcaps and bumpers are usually in poor condition, owned by folks who use them like trucks ( non enthusiasts ). Paint is usually flaking off wheels, or they are caked with dirt, hubcaps are faded out and dented and front bumpers are usually all scratched up and surface rusty. Where as most trucks at shows are seen with mags wheels and chrome bumpers are owned by enthusiasts who keep them spotlessly clean and all buffed out. A base model truck can hold its own against the gingerbread trucks if its in the same condition, i.e. good paint. Joesjunk and slikside base model trucks are proof of that. Here is another photo to bring home the point.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Nice truck slikside, the base model trucks are very nostalgic, it reminds us of the way many trucks were built in a simplier time. I would add this to the debate of which looks better. Most trucks you see with painted white rims, hubcaps and bumpers are usually in poor condition, owned by folks who use them like trucks ( non enthusiasts ). Paint is usually flaking off wheels, or they are caked with dirt, hubcaps are faded out and dented and front bumpers are usually all scratched up and surface rusty. Where as most trucks at shows are seen with mags wheels and chrome bumpers are owned by enthusiasts who keep them spotlessly clean and all buffed out. A base model truck can hold its own against the gingerbread trucks if its in the same condition, i.e. good paint. Joesjunk and slikside base model trucks are proof of that. Here is another photo to bring home the point.

Thanks, factory. I agree completely. But it's all in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? I do like these trucks dropped, with new shoes and chrome as well. Heck, these trucks are like a beautiful woman, they look good no matter how they're dressed! But I have to confess, just about a year ago, my truck looked like one that was used and abused, as you indicated above. All of my white accessories have been powdercoated. I then scuffed up the hubcap bow-tie and cogs, and painted myself. I wanted my truck to look sharper, and the stock route was the quickest and least expensive route to go. Plus, you just don't see that many of them. Finally, it was repainted (original 524 Red Orange) about 28 years ago, and it has over 250K miles on the original motor/trans.

I could be wrong, but Joe's truck, on the other hand, has never had any of that wear and tear. I think he said it only has about 2200 miles on it!!

[factorystock]

Even just painted hubcaps with a chrome grill will give a pickup a "unique" look. To my knowledge, no car ever manufactured came from the factory with white painted hubcaps

[praisegeetarman]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Even just painted hubcaps with a chrome grill will give a pickup a "unique" look. To my knowledge, no car ever manufactured came from the factory with white painted hubcaps

Not really a camper kind of guy, but that one is just plain cool……...

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

. . . .

The only white hubcaps " partially " on a car would have been one of these, back a few years ago:

. . . .

Nice try my friend, but those are "full wheelcovers" not hubcaps. These photos remind me why I would never but full wheelcovers or whitewalls on a truck. I believe those where color coordinated wheelcovers to match body color

[70cst]

Hey davem815 ...

to the forums and from Ohio.

These trucks are classics with painted or chrome bumpers.

I say go for it

[Mr Chevorlet]

Here is a couple of pics of white bumpers and caps also, I like the white if you want it stock looking.

[67ctener]

One of my favorites