1970 Challenger RT Hood Safety Latch

[kent_goins]

Hello again guys:
Quick question on the proper color of my 1970 Challenger RT Track Pack hood safety latch. Is it supposed to be body color or black? Does anyone have a pick of one which is original factory?

Thanks,
Kent Goins
Denver

[anlauto]

They were NEVER body colour.
Sort of a brownish coloured plating....
member @SF-Resto has perfected the correct looking finish.

[1 Wild R/T]

..

[SF-Resto]

They were NEVER body colour.
Sort of a brownish coloured plating....
member @SF-Resto has perfected the correct looking finish.

As said by Alan, based on hundred's of latches that I took apart, light to medium and even dark drown. They were not painted

Stephan

Pic of original's vs Restored

[kent_goins]

Excellent responses as usual!

Then the follow on question is....what is the plating?

KG

[anlauto]

A special secret formula   

[chaps70rt]

It almost looks like it's been dipped in a varnish???    Of course the moving parts would need to be oiled first to stop sticking.

Who is the magician that can replicate?

[JH27N0B]

Jules the Wiperman in Canada was the one who figured out how to restore this finish correctly.  He passed this knowledge on before his untimely passing to Stephan (SF Resto), but I believe he has since retired.  I thought I heard someone else was going to start doing this work, but haven't heard any further about that.

[EV2RTSE]

It almost looks like it's been dipped in a varnish???    Of course the moving parts would need to be oiled first to stop sticking.

Who is the magician that can replicate?

I THINK Bill Meerholz is doing them as well, I saw he had a few restored Cuda latches up for sale recently.
https://www.bmcuda.com/

[R/T's 4 R/P]

Yes, the guy Stefan (SF resto) turned the business over to is Serge St Marie (ssmrestoration@gmail.com)
He does them.