BIRD 1965, Frame paint color

[def3315]

I am getting ready to repaint the frame on a 1965 Bird Lotus/Indy style cart, the top of the frame is silver but the underside is Gloss battleship grey. Was Bird so cheap as to only paint the top of the frame?
many of the similar carts I have seen are silver but I am thinking that this one was probably grey and the previous owner just sprayed the top with silver. Anybody know for sure, want to try to be as original as possible. Thanx for any help. Will attach pics of top and bottom.

 

[itsid]

Nope BIRD wasn't
that's the PO's work of art

battleship grey is cool.. I'd stick with that.. or black of course.
keep in mind that you would like to not draw much attention to the chassis at all,
so that the final kart with the body looks closer to it's full size paragon

And although the original race car (lotus type 25) had metal struts in chrome/steel none of the chassis matches those parts

Sure, it's up to you, but personally I'd hide at least the footboard.

'sid

 

[KartBoy03]

What i did was paint the roll cage glossy orange then the chassis glossy black.
And the alloys orange but the nuts black.
it looks v cool.
Check my profile picture to see.


KartBoy03

 

[chancer]

All the old pictures show the frame greyish.
but that's because they are in Black and White!!! lol

 

[def3315]

So, I did wash down the frame with petrol. What I found was that the true base color of the metal frame work was " Machinery Gray Gloss" or its equivalent, the silver had been added by
PO. Frame sanded and in prime now, Fiberglass body also repaired and in primer. still have a couple extraneous holes to fill and sand. washing out hubs and bearing too. Also repaired the original Clinton recoil assy.