I'm doing a frame up restoration of my 55 F350 and I'm trying to make the color scheme as original as possible. I've been told by someone who restores old Fords that the frame and front end were painted black, but that the rearend is a different story. Differential case appears to have been a reddish primer, the axle tubes were unpainted? Is this true? What about the backing plates for the brakes and the drums? Anyone know the story?

 

I don't know for sure but someone might come along that knows. In the mean time you might want to go to Earl's World. There should be a link here somewhere. George was restoring his '56 F-250 and has a lot of research on his web page.

In the mean time get some pics in your gallery so we can see what she looks like now. Is your F-350 an Express model(a pickup box) or a flatbed or stake?

 

It's a stakebed with dual rear wheels. As I remember, the photos in Earl's World show the rearend painted black.