I'm doing some detailing work on my 68 Superbee.
Question. Are the brake drums painted from the factory? If so what color?
Or are they just plain metal ?
Thank You

Just plain metal unless they had road wheels. Then the drum face (not the whole drum) is painted red.

Thank you.I do have road wheels.Any idea on what sort of shade of red would be acceptable/correct?

The actual original color is the subject of debate.

Many threads if you do google search.........

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/8151787/site_id/1

Judging by the date that they changed the colors - which pretty much correlates with model year changeover - I'd theorize that they used PP1 for '68s and then R6 for '69s.
If someone can match those part #s with a paint code, that'll likely tell.
I have dim memories of seeing the red drum faces back in the day, but not enough to prove anything as far as color.

Many original red paint drums still out there but of course 50 years of fade makes things inconclusive at best. Batalson has "drum" paint for sale but it may be for 70 and up, but I'd check with him.

I usually blast and paint my drums a cast iron color so they don't rust, then apply the red.

RestoRick also has a red drum paint I believe.

Road wheels (beauty ring Magnums) weren't available in '68 were they? I thought the only 5 spoke available in '68 was the Magnums?

I also always thought the red drum thing started in '69 with Road wheel?


I know at least in '70 it was the Road & Rally wheels that got it.


John Kunkel, what's the date on that schematic. Pretty sure Hemigeno found an earlier version to the current one that's floating around. 8-15-69?
The one Geno found is dated 2-19-68 but Road wheels weren't available in '68.



I ended up using a PHerd engine red. So, so many restorations are done by spraying the red on. Imo, if you're gonna do it, do it right & brush it on sloppily. With my former '70 Charger R/T, the paint must have still been wet since 2 wheels had drips on them.

I used Rustoleum spray paint red . . .

My '71 Barracuda with 14" Ralleye's had it brushed on all 4 drums. Very sloppy and very little. Not sure it would have even shown through?!

Chrysler called both versions of the wheels, with or without trim rings, "Road Wheels". So "Road Wheels" were available starting with the '67 model year.

I know "Magnum" is a term we commonly use, but as far as I know, Chrysler never used that name for them.

Below is info from the '68 and '69 Chrysler data books and price lists.

I'll be darned. So Chrysler called the beauty ring-less 5 spoke, Road, in '68. 1st I've seen of that, way cool, thanks for posting that.

Interesting how both of the wheels are listed under hubcaps & wheelcovers instead of separating them.