Painted drums...

[stillrunners]

Heck....I allways painted mine orange or red.....

 

[74ChargerSE440]

Thank you for the info. Appreciate it...
Bob32268

Mr. Grok more specific:

Chrysler began painting the visible faces of brake drums red in late January 1969. This practice was outlined in a Chrysler Passenger Cars Procedure and Materials engineering document dated January 31, 1969, which specified applying a 2-inch-wide band of red enamel (part number 3404653) toward the center of the drum for vehicles equipped with styled wheels, such as Road Wheels or Rallye Wheels. It was primarily an aesthetic choice to complement the look of these wheels on models like the Plymouth Road Runner, Dodge Charger, and other B-body cars, creating a sporty contrast when visible through the spokes.


The practice continued at least through 1975, with no confirmed end date in available records. It was still documented on B-body cars in 1975, and forum discussions from Mopar enthusiasts indicate it was applied on 1969–1971 Chargers and similar models up to that year. By the late 1970s, as disc brakes became more widespread and wheel designs evolved, the custom faded out, but Chrysler didn't issue a formal stop date—likely ending gradually around 1976 or earlier for most lines.

 

[74ChargerSE440]

Mr. Grok more specific:

Chrysler began painting the visible faces of brake drums red in late January 1969. This practice was outlined in a Chrysler Passenger Cars Procedure and Materials engineering document dated January 31, 1969, which specified applying a 2-inch-wide band of red enamel (part number 3404653) toward the center of the drum for vehicles equipped with styled wheels, such as Road Wheels or Rallye Wheels. It was primarily an aesthetic choice to complement the look of these wheels on models like the Plymouth Road Runner, Dodge Charger, and other B-body cars, creating a sporty contrast when visible through the spokes.


The practice continued at least through 1975, with no confirmed end date in available records. It was still documented on B-body cars in 1975, and forum discussions from Mopar enthusiasts indicate it was applied on 1969–1971 Chargers and similar models up to that year. By the late 1970s, as disc brakes became more widespread and wheel designs evolved, the custom faded out, but Chrysler didn't issue a formal stop date—likely ending gradually around 1976 or earlier for most lines.

And don't forget the green (or sometimes blue) in the center?!

Red brake drums

I remember that we've talked about the red drums before so I thought I'd ask this question here. Someone has a '68 GTX with magnum wheels and wants to paint the drums red but wants to make sure that is correct. So does anyone know what the first year was for red drums? Thanks guys.

www.69roadrunner.net

 

[bob32268]

And don't forget the green (or sometimes blue) in the center?!

http://[URL]https://www.69roadrunner.net/mopar/threads/red-brake-drums.8754/

[/URL]

View attachment 1934451

That's good documentation - thank you !
Bob32268

 

[A4GTX]

My ‘69 GTX had red painted drums with steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps.

 

[Vaanth]

Referring to the book "MOPAR B- Body Restoration 1966-1970" by Shaw & Wilkins. On pages 92 & 93 it shows how drums were painted red if you had other wheels beside the factory steel wheels.
Can anyone tell me what year this started and what year Chrysler Corp. stopped this practice.
Tks,
Bob32268

View attachment 1933447

Chrysler began painting brake drums red in 1967, specifically on the 1967 R/T and GTX models with the chrome road wheels, part number 2823840. The process spread and continued across car lines with styled road wheels or Rallye wheels through the 1978 model year.

Although the procedure was specified for styled wheels, the drums could be painted on cars that did not receive those wheels, or on cars with wheels considered as styled, but without openings to expose the red color, including the urethane ribbed wheels in 1975 - 1976, part numbers 3580353 and 3699466. Production line situations could affect adherence to the specification.