Larry B.

The last gill is not open so does it get blacked out or is it painted the color of the car? (Mine doesn't have the optional chrome trim) What did you guys do with yours? I think is needs to be black.

Stefan69

All the ones I've seen were black. As are mine, so I'd say
"Go Black". Of course the decision is easier if the color of
the car is black :-)

Stefan

69er

Larry,the shop that painted my 69 left them black.

Rowdy Rat

As you suspect, the last vent is blacked out using a semi-gloss paint for practically all colors. Original paint black cars that I have observed do not use the semi-gloss black... The factory felt that the high gloss black paint used for the body was sufficient. This was also true on at least one British green '68 coupe that I have seen.

For those of you with original paint Fathom green '69s, I'd be really curious as to what was done. If I have seen any in the past, I don't recall and I have nothing in my notes. I'd really appreciate your feedback.

Regards,

micks69

Mine is semi gloss black

Rowdy,

Here is the best pic I've got (Fathom green 69)

Steve Straus

All 8 of my gills are open. I just took a good look and it doesn't look like they were cut open. I suspect I either have a replacement front end or someone did a really good job modifying it.

Rowdy Rat

Mick,

Thanks for your interest and your comments!

Regards,

Easy Mike

Blacked out at the factory to make it look like it was functional. :)

Joe C

(not a 100% sure of this, but here's my .02 worth) i suspect that the factory blacked out the back louver at the same time they blacked out the underside of the hood, and the tops of the firewall and the upper part of the inner fenders, using the same semi-flat lacquer. they (the factory) probably did this on cars with the optional trim. i think all 68/69 non-trimmed cars did not get blacked out - 68 did not have trim as an option. when i restored my '69 fathom green coupe, i had the trim and i blacked out the rear louvers with semi-flat black. i've got pictures of an original '69 silver coupe (w/trim) with 5K or 7k miles on it. i'll check it out when i get home and repost


[Modified by joe ciechanowski, 11:17 AM 11/29/2001]

68shark

My '68 is blacked out, semi-gloss as many have posted. No chrome on '68's, this was a '69 only option, but no doubt many have added to 68's just because it looks real nice!