'63 Hood Grills Restoration

[Pete Zietzke]

The two hood grills on my '63 are in need of restoration. I'm looking for a rather inexpensive restoration of same ... have also looked to purchase new bright and sparkly pairs to the tune of $385.00 which is way too expensive for my pocket-book. Of course, if new, they'll stand out like a sore thumb given the original paint on the car. If so, may be they will attract the eye of an on-looker rather than the 'worn-out' paint job finish. What are your thoughts and consideration as to replace these grills???

Any advice or direction to restore the originals would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx to all,

Pete

[Jim W.]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

Pete, I remember there was an excellent article in The Restorer on these. I looked it up on my index and found it was a 1980 issue. Volume 6, Number 4. Maybe someone has a copy of it that they can send you. I no longer have mine. Good luck. Jim Weeks - Member #2978

[Bob R.]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

I don't know the condition of the inserts. However if you have patience you can remove the parts & strip the old paint. Get some 1/8" masking tape at an auto body supply mask the grills off and paint them.
I did mine a few years ago. They came out pretty good. The masking didn't take as long as you might think.

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

Hi Bob,

The condition of these inserts is average for their age ... no dings, but a few minor scratches. Is there a recommended procedure to shine up the aluminum without damaging it?

I just received a message from a another member here that does have a copy of the Restorer Article ... hopefully the article will provide information as to how to bring these grills back to like-new condition.

I sure appreciate your help and advice.

Pete

[Jack U.]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

I'm just about finished with my exterior restoration on my 1963 SWC Fuelie.

I spent a small amount of time attempting to recondition the old hood grills but there were too many scratches on the shiney lines that could not be removed.

My only option was to purchase the new ones. I'm not sorry I did. The old ones would have stood out and looked like crap with the rest of the car.

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your message.

For now, I'll attempt to refurbish the existing grills. Next summer I'll be repainting the car because it is showing it's forty-three years of age. Then will be the time to purchase a new set of grills to match the new paint.

During your exterior restoration, did you repaint the car yourself or did you have it done by a paint shop? I'm learning that to have a professional paint shop strip and repaint is an expensive proposition.

Also, what kind of paint did you use? Was it the original lacquer type paint or some other?

Thanx,

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: '63 Hood Grills Restoration

Hi Jim,

Another member has contacted me in an effort to send a copy of the Restorer article.

Thanks for your well wishes and your information ... much appreciated.

Pete

[Jack U.]

Paint for Restoration

I had a restoration shop paint the car. The owner is a good friend of mine.

It is expensive. The estimate I received was $30/hour plus supplies. We are up to 325 hours now. The car is about completed. I'm supposed to pick up the car July 21. My car turns 43 TODAY!

I went with urethane because it will last longer on the car and lacquer is hard to find. The finish is much more shiney than lacquer but not an shiney as a clearcoat finish.

My restoration is my attempt to balance new & old technology and to correct the obvious flaws as they came out of the factory as best as possible. It makes no sense to me to put the flaws back in just to say I received a "whatever" flight award when the car will be shown at many more other types of shows.

From what I could tell, the paint that was removed from the car was "mostly" lacquer but not the original lacquer. It had also been touched up a few times and looked very bad. Whomever the painter was when the car was restored in the 1980s, they didn't let the paint dry properly between coats and consequently had many cracks in it.

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: Paint for Restoration

Hey Jack,

Given the paint on my '63 is original and pretty much worn out and looks rough, I think I'll not repaint this thing.

I've been reading numerous websites with Corvettes for sale ... the majority of the cars have gone through a major overhaul with new mechanical improvements and paint ... sure, they look beautiful ... except, in my mind, they're not original.

Each of the mid-year cars I have are all original ... paint needs work to cover up factory flaws if possible ... who cares? I don't ... they are what they are ... the flaws were there then and they're there now.

Back then, I never saw the flaws ... my '63 and '65 cars were fun and chick-magnets. The 67's were intended to be chickee-magnets, but with the crappy handling and unreliable performance of same, they soon became junk.

Sorry for my little rant here.

Pete.

[Jack U.]

Restoration philosophy

I understand that you have to personalize the car to your liking. I really do. I have a fellow local NCRS club member that is restoring a '65 to this level.

I also own a 2001 coupe. It's the car I've always wanted. The slightest bit of visible dirt on the car and I have to remove it IMMEDIATELY. I cringe when the slightest sprinkle of rain hits the car while I'm driving it. (I've heard all of the comments about how "it won't melt".) I wash it everytime I drive it; top and bottom. (It helps to have a 4 post lift.)

My mentality has carried over to the '63. It has to be perfect -- inside and outside. If I bought the '63 back in 1963 and I saw a flaw, I know for a fact I would have taken it back to the dealer to get corrected. At this point I have to live up to a standard that this car is a historical icon. (Which it is.) Right or wrong, realistic or unrealistic, I want the car to last as long as I live even though I probably won't own it that long. It's also a major financial investment that provides me personal pleasure when other salivate over it.

A show I attended last year conviced me of how I wanted to restore my '63. A saddle tan fuelie coupe was at a show with 300 other Corvettes. I thought the car was immaculate in that it looked original. A car of this vintage should win at least some sort of people's choice award. I voted for it. It received no awards that day because the owner chose to leave it orginal and not even clean it up with a little bit of wax or polish. I heard some of the comments while looking at it. I thought this was just "sad" BUT I understood why the owner chose this path for his car.

I figured out that peoples' standards have changed with respect to what "immaculate" looks like (in 1963) because of modern technology. What looks good back in 1963 looks dull now. That's unfortuante but a fact. Hence, I went for a balance. I know I'm not going to regret my decision.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Jack