WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Just bought a used pair of NMW tow tabs for my 1970 Nova.What color would they have been new?Thanks.Bill.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Orange.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

My NOS in the box NMW Nova tabs were/are yellow

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Seeing the tabs on your Nova Sully made me want a set.Do you get a lot of comments about them?Bill.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

All the time Bill, kinda feel like taking them off somtimes, putting the set of SS wheels on and blinging the old beast up a bit, who knows. They are a conversation piece though

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

I've seen dull silver ones.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Jim, the blue and yellow contrast really makes those NMW tabs stand out, and I love the look on your car. It really is funny to hear some of the reactions you get at the car shows (speaking from all the comments I hear about them on the cars my family owns). I think hanging a tow bar on the front helps people to understand.

Jim, hope you don't mind me posting some of your pics.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSC00261.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...NMWTowtabs.jpg

From what I've been told from people who saw, handled, installed and built them when these cars were new it seems the very early ones were silver- I'm guessing late 1969.

http://www.motorgeek.com/phpBB2/gall...1-2/cttabs.jpg

They then started to use yellow as you can see on Sully's car. The yellow was supposed to equally short lived. I beleive it was used probably not more than a year or so. Whitetop had mentioned that there was some issue with Lakewood asking them to change the color or something to that effect, but I've only heard this on the net.

As a side note, I've heard that Lakwood offered free-wheeling tow hubs, tow bars and such but I just have never seen them myself. I've also heard that Lakewood sold tow tabs. Can anyone validate this? Any old catalogs or pictures?

By 1971 NMW seemed to try and stick with an orange theme. These are tabs I have which are NOS.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...velletabs2.jpg
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...an7/NMWbar.jpg

I've seen a few shades of orange, and when I spoke to the fellow who owned NMW, he said they would buy orange paint in large volume. Sometimes the paint supplier would run out of their color and he would buy whatever was available. I'm sure he didn't want to leave the metal bare for very long.

Ths fellow bought NMW around 1974 I think he said, and didn't have much to offer about the company before then. I've debated when they started making chassis specific tow tabs with a few people. I beleive they were offering them from the beginning of 1969 at least. Can anyone validate this?

I guess the answer to your question kinda depends on when you think they were new? Usually there is a hint of color in the areas near where a washer was used on a bolt hole. Got any clue's there? I'm guessing you were the lucky fellow to win the set on ebay the other day, so maybe you don't have them in hand yet. Congratulations if you did win them!

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/ss851790.jpg

I personally would paint them any color you want. It doesn't seem unusual in all of these old pics of cars with tabs for guys to have painted them before they installed them.

Nova Jed thought the yelow looked the best too.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...d/100_0418.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...d/100_0417.jpg

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/t...e/tn_done2.jpg

I'll probably paint mine black when I put them on my chevelle, or I was even thinking about having them chromed. I don't think you can go wrong whatever color you choose.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...bs/towtabs.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...s/greentow.jpg

I also suspect that Joel ordered tabs for a 69 Camaro, not knowing that they don't work on the Endura bumper, and then modified them with a large angle iron bracket and cut down the large top plate since it no longer attached to the bumper. They fogged them black after those mods.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just bought a used pair of NMW tow tabs for my 1970 Nova.What color would they have been new?Thanks.Bill. </div></div>

Bill, did you just win those recently on e-bay?? I am looking for a pair of Nova tow tabs for 68-72 if anyone has a set they want to part with...

Rich

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

This is a untouched bar tabs(early 67/68 camaro) and hubs ...

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...6/IMAG0237.jpg

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Nice John. Do you know if they were all purchased together, and when?

Do you guys have an idea on what they cost back then?

I'm really trying to bump this thread to see what else is known on the NMW timeline. I'm sure they didn't srart offering ALL of the chassis specific tabs right away, but by 1973 it seems the offering was complete. What chassis specific tabs were among the first to be offered and when?

Anyone care to comment about my lakewood question above?

Pics for clicks

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...riginaltab.jpg

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just bought a used pair of NMW tow tabs for my 1970 Nova.What color would they have been new?Thanks.Bill. </div></div>

Bill, did you just win those recently on e-bay?? I am looking for a pair of Nova tow tabs for 68-72 if anyone has a set they want to part with...

Rich </div></div>Yes I did Rich.The seller would not ship to Canada so MOSPORTGREEN66 bid on them for me and will send them up to me when he gets them.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

I got them for $317.00.The Nova tabs seem to be a little rarer.And command a little more money.Bill.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Taken about 1971 and shows some Home-made tabs. Those tabs were very simplistic compared to the NMW Nova tabs.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...8L79MGrove.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...libuMgrove.jpg

This one just for fun since it was from the same day and Nova's rock!
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...NovaMGrove.jpg


I called the phone number on a set of NOS NMW tow tabs I had several years back and spoke to the guy who was said he was the owner of NMW, but sold the building. We spoke about the old tooling and parts. He said he had it in storage in the building, hadn't sold a tow tab in 20 years and when he had a chance to sell the building, he got rid of everything. He called some guys he knew to clear the building out. He thought everything went into a dumpster they brought there. If a bunch were sold to some guys who sold them on ebay, he wasn't part of that sale.

We also talked about color and is it was year specific, and he said color was what they had on hand.

Me and my friends used tow tabs, hubs and bars back then. I don't know anyone who didn't paint them flat black before they installed them. We also didn't always want it to be too obvious that our cars spent time at the track when there was some illegal, night street $racing$

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Wow......had to read this twice.......Thought it said What color should my toe nails be..........Hey if it gets you better reaction times at the lights ..Go for it..! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes I did Rich.The seller would not ship to Canada so MOSPORTGREEN66 bid on them for me and will send them up to me when he gets them. </div></div>

Happy to help Bill!

If anyone has a pair for a '69 Camaro, I'm in dire need!

Very cool thread guys... well done!

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Really appreciate your help Dan.You're one of the good guys.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Does any one have a paint code for that burnt orange tabs or is it red oxide primer

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

[quote=Plowman]Taken about 1971 and shows some Home-made tabs. Those tabs were very simplistic compared to the NMW Nova tabs.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...8L79MGrove.jpg

Pic of that 68 mite have been a L79 looks like 327 on the fender cool pic

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just bought a used pair of NMW tow tabs for my 1970 Nova.What color would they have been new?Thanks.Bill. </div></div>

Bill, did you just win those recently on e-bay?? I am looking for a pair of Nova tow tabs for 68-72 if anyone has a set they want to part with...

Rich </div></div>Yes I did Rich.The seller would not ship to Canada so MOSPORTGREEN66 bid on them for me and will send them up to me when he gets them. </div></div>

I would say the ones you got off ebay were originally yellow.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...aTB49notes.jpg

Still looking for anyone to comment one the Lakewood questions I posted, or even for someone to confirm the date of a Lakwood catalog with them in it, I would also like to see what dates people have for NMW catalogs. I'll post some later, but I do have a catalog with an earlier design of the TB30 for 1964-67 Chevelle. Interestingly enough, the TB30 was only lister for the Chevelle, then later there was a re-desing of the TB30 (the ones I posted earlier are the newer design) but they were then listed for both the Chevelle and the GTO. The instruction sheet I got with the revised TB30, still has the illustration which more closely represents the early TB30 design. I would love to try and figure out when the TB30 and other popular tabs actually began being produced.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRSully</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All the time Bill, kinda feel like taking them off somtimes, putting the set of SS wheels on and blinging the old beast up a bit, who knows. They are a conversation piece though </div></div>To many of those old Blings out there like that already Sully. Your car is killer, leave it!

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr. Chevy</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just bought a used pair of NMW tow tabs for my 1970 Nova.What color would they have been new?Thanks.Bill. </div></div>

Bill, did you just win those recently on e-bay?? I am looking for a pair of Nova tow tabs for 68-72 if anyone has a set they want to part with...

Rich </div></div>Yes I did Rich.The seller would not ship to Canada so MOSPORTGREEN66 bid on them for me and will send them up to me when he gets them. </div></div>

I would say the ones you got off ebay were originally yellow.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w...aTB49notes.jpg

Still looking for anyone to comment one the Lakewood questions I posted, or even for someone to confirm the date of a Lakwood catalog with them in it, I would also like to see what dates people have for NMW catalogs. I'll post some later, but I do have a catalog with an earlier design of the TB30 for 1964-67 Chevelle. Interestingly enough, the TB30 was only lister for the Chevelle, then later there was a re-desing of the TB30 (the ones I posted earlier are the newer design) but they were then listed for both the Chevelle and the GTO. The instruction sheet I got with the revised TB30, still has the illustration which more closely represents the early TB30 design. I would love to try and figure out when the TB30 and other popular tabs actually began being produced. </div></div>Thanks for the info Paul.I was leaning towards yellow.Just have to get the right shade.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

So your tow tabs were yellow on day 1 and black on day 2. What color is your car?

Thanks to the fellow who read this thread and sent this my way. Lakewood tow tabs, bars, etc.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w.../Lakewood2.jpg

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Don't know if I'm chiming in too late or &quot;too little&quot; but I've got a set of nos NMW Ladder Bars and they were red-oxide primer.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Pics for reference and to compare color?

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

So red primer is the color?

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brent396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So red primer is the color? </div></div> No,could be 3 or 4 colors.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brent396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So red primer is the color? </div></div>Brent, I am almost sure they were red primer form the factory so the customer could rattle can them any color they wanted. Don't think they were meant to stay red primer. The &quot;correct&quot; yellow is the key IMO.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brent396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So red primer is the color? </div></div>Brent, I am almost sure they were red primer form the factory so the customer could rattle can them any color they wanted. Don't think they were meant to stay red primer. The &quot;correct&quot; yellow is the key IMO. </div></div>Hi Sam. You saw and I got a set of NOS two tabs in the box from Watash Speed Shop in Lansdale and they were &quot;yellow&quot; Sam. You told me about them,do you remember Sam.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Sam what do you think?

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

My Nova Tow Tabs were originally Yellow and had been painted black over the years. The yellow is visible in places. I personally like the tow tabs painted black or the reddish orange which matches the tow bars. The silver and especially the Yellow bring too much attention to that one spot on the car. In my weird day 2 mindset I can see many more tow tabs being sprayed black to deter attention from the obvious. Mine are on my Nova in black with yellow scratches showing through and the large bolt thingy with pin that holds the bar/tab together are through the tabs.


Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So your tow tabs were yellow on day 1 and black on day 2. What color is your car? It's a 1970 L78.Astro blue with a black vinyl roof.

Thanks to the fellow who read this thread and sent this my way. Lakewood tow tabs, bars, etc.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/w.../Lakewood2.jpg </div></div>

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Anyone know the ''correct''color code yellow?

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

In a rattle car I found a spray paint called NOW made by Sherwin Williams. (#21206 Sunshine Yellow) I have done several sets of vintage Lakewood traction bars this color and its the closes I found with much scrutiny. True Value Hardware Stores. Have fun!

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Thank you Sam,I will have fun.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

The guy who bought all the tabs from NMW was Don Raleigh (oilnspeed on eBay). He bought two large pallets full around 2003/2004/2005 ish. From what I remember Don got the tabs and someone else bought all the traction bar but I could be wrong. Maybe the bars were all gone when Don got there. I can't remember.
I bought maybe 15 sets from NMW back in the late 80's for $15 each and it took me forever to get rid of them. I was asking $40 and no one wanted them at all. This was pre Ebay and pre internet and I sold them through places like the Round Up free be ads etc. One set I gave to a friend who has them welded onto a 3 point home made lift cart behind his farm tractor. Like I said no one wanted them at the time. It was not until the mid 2000's that I finally sold all I had.

The Mopar ones sold the best. They have been into &quot;day 2&quot; since the 80's...and actually many just never left the 70's to begin with.

I believe the original colors were silver first, then yellow until Lakewood told them to stop and then the glossy burnt orange color at the end.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Don't be a stranger Dave. From what I've seen, the silver tabs are the least common, then the yellow ones, and the orange ones seem to be the most. I also think the pretty well reflects production and sales.

Do you have a sense of when the chassis specific tabs were being offered, and what chassis were the first to be made? There sure were a lot of early Camaros being brought to the track. It wouldn't surprise me if there were the first chassis specific ones to have been made, but I would like to hear from others.

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...403_154744.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...403_155003.jpg



Tommy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Whitetop1, the Professor of Day-2 has returned! Welcome back Dave!

Re: WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TOW TABS BE?
 

Welcome back Dave!