Color of back side of 356C bumpers

[J. Leed]

Gentlemen,

My question is whether the back side of the 356C bumpers should be body color or black. I have seen it both ways. I am the second owner since 1973 of my 1964 356SC (Reutter) Coupe and the back side of the bumpers were painted black when we disassembled it. A friend’s 1964 356SC also has the back side painted black.

Next question: If, in fact, the back side was painted black by the factory, what color was the deco trim hardware? Another thread in this forum discussed the bumper deco trim hardware being painted body color, so does that mean that if the back side was painted black, did the factory brush paint the deco hardware black, too?

There is a lot of info about the 356As on the topic of whether hardware was brush painted at the factory, but I could find very little about 356Cs. Your insight about 356Cs will be very appreciated.

Thank you.

[Martin Benade]

I have never seen any color besides body exterior color inside bumpers, so I assume that is factory.

[Mike Wilson]

Ditto...body color and deco hardware as well.

[Wil Mittelbach]

Backside paint of bumpers spray painted same as front side and car, per my original Dolphin Grey 65C Reutter cab. A backside brushed black paint would be an anomaly.

[Mike Wilson]

If memory serves me correctly, in tbe video, "Made By Hand", it shows that the bumpers were assembled as a unit with the deco, guards and brackets then placed on the car. No evidence of black paint.

[Sebastian Gaeta]

If memory serves me correctly, in the video, "Made By Hand", it shows that the bumpers were assembled as a unit with the deco, guards and brackets then placed on the car. No evidence of black paint.

Below is a photo from the upcoming "Neil's Book" detailing a one owner all original C coupe. I hesitate to show this here now since the car is black, but at least on this car the deco hardware was not painted (although the bracket hardware is) and the paint on the backside of the bumper does not look brush painted.

[Mike Wilson]

Thanks for the pic, Sebastian. Very telling and confirms..."Porsche...consistent in their inconsistencies".

Looking forward to the new book!

[J. Leed]

Thanks, guys. The evidence that you have provided is clear that the backsides of my bumpers will be body color. Thank you very much for your advice.
Ed Leed

[Harold Singh]

I was just wondering this and I know now to look out for Neil's book!