1956 dash frame question
 

Can anyone help me out with the stock colour of the dash frame that holds the gauges? Mine appeared to be a flat silver and Shar at Mid-Fifties told me that was stock. The guy painting my truck painted it a gloss argent. Doesn't look right to me, but he thinks the gloss wore off mine. Unfortunately I can't ask my dad, he's got Alzheimer's. Was argent gloss or flat originally? Thanks.

All the stock 56 bezels that I have seen are flat silver...they look like they were sprayed with a rattle can IMO. If yours is now gloss and you want it flat just scuff it up a little with a maroon scotch brite pad.

Thanks for your reply. Does that apply only to the dash frame, or to other argent items, like the valve covers? Hey, I used to work for the City of El Cajon! I was one of the first park workers to maintain the median islands on El Cajon Blvd when they were first planted in the late '80s. I bought an '89 Heritage from Chuck Holenda.

Haha, that's funny...small world. In a sea of apartments in this town the hayseed mayor did not want to support any more trees because of the water and upkeep. He got canned and now we have quite a collection of foliage along the major streets. Downtown has been completely redone...wider streets, new buildings, fewer thrift shops, etc. You might not recognize the place now. Chuck Holenda's is still there...the FBI/DEA/local mounties descended on the bar and clubhouse down the street and ousted most of the bikers last year. Not many HA or Mongols in sight these days.

Back to the truck...I am not a big "restoration guy" so I am probably not the best source for other than the most mundane stuff wrt the stock trim. In fact I am more used to hearing the color referred to as "Mexican chrome"...I had to look up the word argent, that was always a rock band to me.

Way to show your age there, Charlie! Hold your head high! :-jammin


Hey neighbor, tell your painter you'd like for him to shoot the dash bezel with a matt clear instead of the gloss, if you don't want it shiny. :-X06

Hold Your Head Up-Argent-1972-(Long Version) - YouTube

Nice stills in the video. I like the 'S&H Green Stamps' sign (How's that for showing my age???)