Nice job. The Idea with the pins sounds good. If you want to keep it accurate with an original 55, all tri fives were semi gloss black. My friends and myself owned a few back in the late 60's and early 70's.
Good looking repair Trevor 👍and I think you're right about the colour. I would add your biscuits to hold the hood up but the best idea is research. Look at what Chevrolet did on the real car👍🤓. 👍😎Pete 🤓
For sure Pete. i was just thinking of my 1972 Oldsmobile and what GM did in that time period. Not sure if that is the same solution on a 1955 Chevy...until I look it up.