Vintage Con-Ferr Sand Bar - What color? (1 Viewer)

[oregon fj]

My early '64 FST came to me with a vintage Con-Ferr Sand Bar (roll bar) in it. Looking to get it powder coated before I re-install it. Trying to decide on a period-correct color. Seems to be 3 possibilities.

1. Black
2. Silver
3. Pewter

Black seems harsh. Silver less so, and I've seen period pictures that appear to show them as silver back in the day. Pewter would be consistent with the rest of the interior trim.

Any recommendations?

 

[surfpig]

My early '64 FST came to me with a vintage Con-Ferr Sand Bar (roll bar) in it. Looking to get it powder coated before I re-install it. Trying to decide on a period-correct color. Seems to be 3 possibilities.

1. Black
2. Silver
3. Pewter

Black seems harsh. Silver less so, and I've seen period pictures that appear to show them as silver back in the day. Pewter would be consistent with the rest of the interior trim.

Any recommendations?

Maybe a grey to match the wheels? That might be close to "pewter" now that I think about it...

 

[oregon fj]

Maybe a grey to match the wheels? That might be close to "pewter" now that I think about it...

Wheels through '68 were black, not gray.

Current state of the rig:

 

[surfpig]

OK, black then.



Damn, that thing is sexy!

 

[thecrazygreek]

To be honest, I would forgo the roll bar. Or if you really want it, go black. The lighter colors may overwhelm the vibe.
Maybe do a 73+ style so it looks more oem? Idk...

 

[thecrazygreek]

Oh, and that rollbar, now that I'm looking at it, looks like a roof rack that's been cut in half and set on its side in the upright position.
Interesting...

 

[oregon fj]

Oh, and that rollbar, now that I'm looking at it, looks like a roof rack that's been cut in half and set on its side in the upright position.
Interesting...

It's not the nicest looking roll bar, but it is very period-correct, and totally functional. Designed to not sink in case of roll over on sand, mud or other soft surfaces. Wife wants it. 'Nuff said about that.

 

[cruiserboy14]

wow!! and he produces proof!!! well, if you find evidence of the original color... do that? if you want it as original as possible. but honestly black is the usual default. nice picture though!!

 

[Martyt]

I had a similar bar. Not stock plus I did not like look of it. Took it off, tried to sell it to no avail and finally had someone haul it to the recycler.

 

[oregon fj]

I had a similar bar. Not stock plus I did not like look of it. Took it off, tried to sell it to no avail and finally had someone haul it to the recycler.

All true, Marty. It is not particularly attractive. I would not search out and buy this bar if I had none. Nor would I expect anyone to buy it should I declare it surplus. It takes a certain mindset to want this particular bar, and shipping it would be stupid money. But...

It is period, and was installed by the original owner when it was new (or nearly). He was a volunteer with Lane County Search & Rescue (Oregon), which means he was involved in operations on the deep sand of the central Oregon coast. You would want this bar (or similar) for that use. While I've changed the color of the truck, I'd like to maintain something of the stuff that it had when it was a working truck.

And since I don't really expect to have the soft top off ever, it is not going to be all that visible anyway.

 

[red66toy]

I vote black with the current color scheme of your truck.

 

[Living in the Past]

Since your installing it because it's period correct would paint black like they were originally.

 

[oregon fj]

Since your installing it because it's period correct would paint black like they were originally.

Thanks, John. I wasn't sure if black or silver was original. Black makes more sense.

 

[Martyt]

Am pretty sure they would have been black

 

[thebigredrocker]

Body color

 

[Martyt]

Arne, your rig looks great btw; I miss the patina but man, you really did a nice job on this one--love the blue!

 

[Downey]

Ok, here's period correct: Everything Pete Condos (Con-Ferr) built was leaned up against the outside back wall of his building in beautiful down town Burbank and painted flat black, soooo your sand bar did start it's life flat black. At that same time I could have built a new home for what I spent putting an A.R.B. approved spray booth in at Downey Off Road Mfg.

 

[whitey45]

From my vintage confer catalog! They are gloss black!! Where else can you find such info but right here on mud!

 

[oregon fj]

OK, black it is. Thanks everyone.

@whitey45 - love the catalog pics. Saving that for the seat info. I would have thought the seats need to move out more than 1.75". Food for thought now...

 

[oregon fj]

I miss the patina...

To paraphrase @wngrog - I love Patina but I dislike chaos. My truck was chaos.