I am doing a frame-off resto on my 1965 F100 and I just got done sandblasting the rear.
It seems as if the third member was originally painted a burnt orange color.
The original owner says it was never repaired or removed.
Were these painted to indicate ratios or assembly locations?
The rear is now in primer and ready to paint. I was going to paint the whole thing chassis black, but if the orange pumpkin was original I will go with it.

Hey, wait a minute, orange, pumpkin... duh.
Thanks, Doug

 

Hi,

FWIW: I was reading the original body manual (one they used in the factory) for a 1969 Olds that I am helping to restore. The GM factory manual said they could "dust" the axles and prop with the car color, but, could not "coat" it.

Might have been the same with the Ford.