I have a very early 65 with some fiberglass repairs and stress cracks that show. The car has been striped to bare fiberglass. In light of the repairs and light checking (the stress cracks) does it make sense to leave the bottom of the car paint free or should it be painted? The intent is to show this car and hope to Top Flight. I should mention there are idiosyncracies in this very early car not in production cars (i.e. modification to the transmission tunnel on the passenger's side (looks like the modification was done via hand layed while in the mold).
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Hello Martin
Since no one else appears anxious to touch this one and I feel that if someone thinks a problem is large enough to post a question, they deserve some kind of an answer.
Since I am by nature a risk taker, I'll do the kick-off and wait for the pot-shots.
Judges expect to see original fiberglas where appropriate on the underside. Painted underside would not only be an avoidable deduction, but, would naturally make them suspicious, like "What else is this guy trying to cover up?" My suggestion would be to keep it "Natural".
Secondly, factory hand work on the floor pan is a bit unusual. I am not aware of any production changes in the area that you are referring to.
Just how early is your car? Within the first 25 or so? What is the VIN (range). You also mentioned other body areas that have had damage repair. Are you the original owner?
HaND -
Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Mike,
To keep this going in Martin's absence, the car is serial 8 or 9 (a pilot line car). I'm somewhat familiar with this car and it has a couple of interesting anomalies with some of the trim as well. I'm not too familiar with the judging of a pilot line car, but I'd expect it would get the benefit of the doubt for some of the "features".
JoelComment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Hi Joel,
that's what I was hoping for.
Looks like a car for which we will want to take a closer look.
Where is the car located?
Thank you for filling in with the update.
HaNDComment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Sorry guys, I have not been close to the internet for awhile. It is car 100009. Mike, I really appreciate the input! It sounds rationale. Maybe we should attempt to blend the minor repairs but keep as natural as possible.Comment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
The car is a pilot car and deserves to be left alone. Unless it really bothers you, leave the underside unpainted. It will be a nice topic
to discuss as the car is being judged. A good judge should understand the anomalities and not deduct many(if any) points for them.
Good luck.
JGComment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Thank you for the input Jaime but the anomalies are not the issue. The concern is the repaired areas at the underside of the body (i.e. bottom of floor pans, etc.). I think the best bet is to not hide anything especially the anomalies per Mike's suggestion.
The fabrication during the process of G.M.'s development/construction of this car is indeed interesting. I have been in touch with the owners of numbers 1,6 and 8 as well as forwarded photos of number 3. These first ten cars seem to have significant individuality from any of the cars beyond them. I have heard the name Jig Car used a number of times as opposed to Pilot Car that would be cars 11-25. From what I have been told 1-10 were actually constructed off line with hand layed fabrication differences (i.e. cut-out 64 fenders with hand layed fiberglass 65 gills, change in the transmission tunnel, changes in the rear inner wheel wells, red oxide primer and painted inner front fenders and inner wheel wells). The F.I. cars came with both F.I. emblems and fender cross flags. As of today I found the brake dust shields are not stamped with the part number they are engraved with the part number. Not to mention the instrument cluster and all of its components blue ink stamped with SHOW JOB. Quite an interesting piece of history. I am hoping it comes through the restoration effort without some dumb error on my part or the restorer's part. Thank you all so very much for any help on this one. MartinComment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
Martin,
Of course you should try to preserve all of these anomalies. You should also keep good records of your conversations and any written and photographic documentation of both your and other early cars, and bring that documentation with you when presenting your car for judging.
Will the car be ready for San Jose next year? I'd really like to see it when done.
JoelComment
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Re: How to finish the underside of my 65
I am hoping it will be done by then. The body work and reassembly are being performed close by.Comment
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