My 62 has 100% original paint that is in rather poor condition, it shows all the signs of it's years. My question is should I consider repainting it? or just let it stay the way that it is.Which way in the opinion of NCRS is more desirable in value to the vehicle. It just seems to me that unpainted might be the route since you surely see that the car has never been hit or repaired and that surely has a great look in it's own way. As for the rest of the car the chassis still has all it's factory markings still visible on the frame such as frame part number,shim markings tape on body shims,and all the original powertrain. I have never had that car judged or entered in any events so I just don't know where it might stand.Your opinions and suggestions are invited.
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Gary,
I have partly the same questions but for my car it's only the trunk and under the toplid and the tank cover. They are also still covered with the original paint but not as nice as just repainted. I'm also in doubt to repaint them. I'll probably leave the under the toplid area in its present state but I'm still in doubt about the trunk.
greetings,
Rob.
The C1 '59 Restoration ProjectRob.
NCRS Dutch Chapter Founder & Board Member
NCRS Software Developer
C1, C2 and C3 Registry Developer -
Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
First of all, it's your car, no one else's, so it's easy for all of us to have an idea what you should do with your car.Ultimately you have to be the one that makes the call--after you gather input from all of us.
More than 10 years ago we began the bowtie judging processin NCRS to encourage people with cars like yours NOT to restore them. There are a hundred restored cars, and 500h hundred hacked up, modified, and "personalized" cars for every one car like yours. What you have is uncommon, and gets some long-time vets like myself all charged up just to look at. My encouragement is to not paint it. If you want a really nice, shiny, gorgeous car to drive and show off--don't do that to this one. Sell this one to an originality nut, and use the money to buy a shiny one to drive/show. A quote attributed to Reggie Jackson that I find very wise: "A car is only original once."!!!!!!Comment
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I'll make it easy for you.
Just contact me off-line and sell your '62 to me as-is. Really. I love original paint cars with their cracked lacquer, fading, nicks, and age spots.
I'm sure all the Shiny Guys will overwhelm you with advice on how to make your car look "perfect" with the latest Kryptonite Gelcoat and Industrial Imron Chromabooger Three Stage Magicoat slathered all over it. Please don't do it. Replacing original paint is not an option in my shop.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
I would leave the paint for three reasons. First, as you say, there is no substitute for originality, and the paint is only original once. Second, if you sell the car in the future, the next owner can choose the type, single stage, two stage, etc., paint to use if they would like to repaint it. Third, anyone can repaint a car, and they are repainted all the time, making those with original paint increasingly harder to find and more valuable. It sounds like you have a great, original car, and should keep it that way.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Gary...
Every time I go to a vette show, I personally enjoy the solid axle's that never been restrored and modified. These cars have been the best guides how they were original assembled than any book. There is a class for judging these cars, I'm sure Dennis Clark & Mike McCagh can fill you in.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Gary,
If it were mine, the last thing I would ever consider is repainting and restoring that car. I may be among the minority on this issue but as far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely no reason to restore a Corvette that still looks acceptable. I know the show people want perfect everything but with that goes all the personality that the car had. Repainted Corvettes NEVER look the same as original paint cars because everyone wants to make the body and paint much better than it was originally and to me, that's customizing, not restoring (David Burroughs). I like the ripples and waves in the fiberglass, the crude grinder scars at the edges of the doors and the way the doors never seem to fit properly. It's part of Corvette and that's the way they should look. I wouldn't change that car just to make some other people happy, keep it the way you want it because you're the one you need to make happy. Also, as time goes on, more and more Corvettes are restored and soon the all the original unrestored cars will be nearly impossible to find. Enjoy it as it is. The little paint chips only add character and personality and you only get original paint once. When that's gone, it's gone forever. I probably have at least 30 door chips in my 63 but their just part of the cars history and they're staying there.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Mike,
How do you spell fossil? You and I are fossil's in a world of the bright and shiney C-4, C-5 and now the C-6 Chevrolets. Notice I said Chevrolets!
If that 62 is like the guy says he should be taken out back and shot if he paints anything.
You destroy original Vettes and the world will never know!
My sentiments,
A fossilComment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Yes Joe, I guess you and I are the geezers of the old Corvette world now. (my first Corvette was a brand new 64 coupe) Time sure does fly. I have a feeling the 62 will probably stay in it's original paint after all the replies on the forum. I'm happy to see that the overall feeling is to leave the car as is. Maybe we all just saved another one.
I've felt this way for at least the last 30 years but the Corvette world just wasn't ready for original cars at that time.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Gary,
Take your 62 to a chapter judging meet and have it judged. This will give you a reading on originality and condition. You then have some good information on which to make decisions.
If the car truly is original I must add my voice to the chorus....don't paint/restore it. There are too few actual original cars left and I too love them.
VerleComment
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Jerry, Do you have Paint Chips or codes for
that Industrial Imron Chromabooger Three Stage Magicoat? That sounds like just the stuff I need to slather on some pressure vessles I am having built.Comment
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Yep, It Sounds Like...
That IICTSM (Industrial Imron Chromabooger Three Stage Magicoat) is just what you need for pressure vessels too, Doug. I believe you can have any color you want so long as it's Code 001, IFB (Industrial Flat Black). So, if you were hoping to get Corporate Cream, then you're SOL (Sure Outta Luck).
Don't forget to sandblast to white metal, applying IICTSM within 4 hours. Use IMs (industrial mops) to apply three coats of IICTSM to obtain 3-4 mils DFT (dry film thickness) each coat, with no more than 24 hours between coats. Flashes in 6 hours, and dry to touch in 18 hours. Color sanding is optional. IICTSM covers up a multitude of sins...even on pressure vessels.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
Gary, The overwhelming advice is to leave it alone. I have a friend with a 61 fuelie which is much as you describe. He used to enjoy the car. Now he is ashamed for it to be seen in public, so it sits in the garage and deteriorates. I'll tell you what I told him: Do you enjoy the car like it is? If so, leave it alone. If not, sell it to someone who wants a ragged looking original car, or restore it. If you are concerned about value, take it to Barrett Jackson. It will sell for 3X its value with the proper hype.Comment
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Re: Yep, It Sounds Like...
The ChromaBooger additive sounds like it ought to have good corrosion resistance and adhesion characteristics suitable for internal coating. I'm hoping it may even be able to fix some leaks and eliminate the need to weld on the vessel.Comment
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Re: C-1 PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT?
I also heartily agree! Don't paint it. [if its all original paint]. I have the same dilema with a Model "A" Ford I have. It's kinda rough but very original. I've decided I'm not gonna paint it. The best part is, It's way cheaper too!Comment
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