Colour of underbody components

[Onne]

Well, since I have taken of all the underbody components sans the axle, I think I might get the shocks etc in the right shade.

What colour should they all be? The underside of the car is going Platinum Grey, I have got good black chassis paint and some aluminium paint.
What else should I need?
Onne

[Judge]

Most components were black. However there were a few exceptions, ie.

Shock absorber bodies were left unpainted, although the operating arms and locking plates were black.

Tie bars and torsion bars were silver.

Hope this helps.

[Onne]

It does indeed, thank you! I have painted my shocks with ally coloured paint though, looks a lot better now

[Onne]

What about the gearbox crossmember?

[Judge]

What about the gearbox crossmember?

Normally body colour.

[Onne]

cheers, so I guessed right

[WPR678B]

I have never seen a gearbox crossmember in any colour other than black on any of my MM's. I have a 1949 example that has only covered 26000 miles from new and has not been restored and the body is platinum grey but the gearbox crossmember is black. The car still has its original engine and gearbox fitted and has been off the road since 1962. Are you getting confused between the gearbox crossmember and the centre crossmember perhaps?

[Onne]

I did say gearbox... I needs repainting anyway, since I made a complete mess of it.

So almighty mr Judge what is it?

[Judge]

I have never seen a gearbox crossmember in any colour other than black on any of my MM's. I have a 1949 example that has only covered 26000 miles from new and has not been restored and the body is platinum grey but the gearbox crossmember is black. The car still has its original engine and gearbox fitted and has been off the road since 1962. Are you getting confused between the gearbox crossmember and the centre crossmember perhaps?

I think the question that has to be asked WPR678B is, are you sure that all of the cars you have owned have never had the crossmember removed at some time or other, or have you owned all of the cars from new? Even the 1949 example was 13 years old before it was taken off the road.

Having worked at Cowley for a number of years, although this was only from the early 60's, it was my understanding that the crossmember was attatched to the car when it went through the paintshop. Of course, like everyone else, I could be mistaken and the part may have been taken from a pallet at the time of final assembly. in which case it would almost certainly have been painted black.

It is exactly this sort of uncertainty that in my opinion makes a good case for the "preserving" of genuinely original cars as far as possible. However as Cam says it is also what makes it fun!

[WPR678B]

I am pretty confident that the gearbox has never left the car. Even if the gearbox had been removed for any reason then i am sure the crossmember would not have been repainted or replaced in anycase. Of all the gearbox crossmembers that i have ever seen for the MM's they have always been black even the ones that have been heavily caked in years of oil and grime have always been black when de-greased. It always looks to be the same finish and not hand painted. I can only comment on the one's i have had and do not wish to upset anyone by questioning their understanding / knowledge of the subject! I have had platinum grey, romain green, maroon and black lowlights and they were all black. I have doubled checked the platinum grey one and the romain green one and both are un-restored vehicles.

[Onne]

Well, this is of great help! We are all still learning, and this is of course the ultimate purpose of this message board. Sharing knowledge!

[Judge]

As I say, I could be mistaken. Perhaps there is someone else out there with a definitive answer on this. I think it is important that all of this kind of information is recorded before all original cars are lost for ever.

[Onne]

I have looked through the books, but can't see the gearbox crossmember.