Radiator Core Support Black-out Paint

Contributed by: Carl Beck
As Of: 30 May 2010

At the start of production: - Blacking out the radiator core support, so that the body color would not show though the Grill was common. Exactly how it was done, seems to have been left up to whatever team was working on the car at the time. So if you look at 10 or 20 69 and very early 70 production 240Z's you will find some differences - noted below.
Above: Original Sub 25 VIN car.
#1. Although it is hard to see in the picture - there is a line there. The top of the inner-fender lip is painted black.
#2. Black-out treatment is wrapped up around the top of the opening.
#3. Top and front of the lower core support is blacked out.
#4. Area around the fresh air intake is also blacked out.

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Above: Another Original Sub 25 VIN car
1. Hard to see - but it looks like this area was blacked-out on this one, although it might have been hit with a very light coat- almost overspary..
2. Area below where the black bumer mount bolts in was blacked-out here as well
3. Note - black on the Grill mounts
4. Top and Front of the lower frame rail was blacked-out

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Above: 12/69 Production Car
#1. Note Cutoff Line - upper part of the core support was not painted
#2. Top of the inner-fender lip is painted black
#3. Top and Front of the lower radiator core support is painted black
#4. Note that the grill mounting points are also blacked-out
Note also that the hood hinges and tension rods were blacked-out.

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Above: By the end of the first full year of production - fine details seem to have been worked out to a more consistent process. Note that the lower core support and inner-fender lips were no longer painted black - just the vertical surfaces behind the grill, up to the level of the Grill opening - but no longer around the fresh air intakes. NOTE that in this picture the Paint Shield is still in place behind the radiator opening!