Interior Restoration Project

[Frank E.]

I don't post much on this forum but I thought I'd share my experiences on the interior restoration project of my '66 that I've had for almost 24 years. In the process of stripping the interior, I've found that it was all original. That's the good news/bad news tale. However, as you'll see in the photo's, I was able to preserve most of the original jute backing and have discovered a couple of interesting labels on the underside of the rear side carpeting pieces I'd like to share. Im sure there nothing new to some but for those that haven't seen them, here you go. I have some clean up to do but all in all, it was a pretty clean extraction.

Now a question for the experts..... As you can see there is some rust on the deck lid hinge brackets and spring in the back corners. Can someone tell me the original painting of these brackets? A close inspection revels that it appears to be just a real faded zinc chromate primer with a little body color and iron oxide thrown in the mix. After I clean these up, I could hit them with a light coat of zinc chromate but I have the urge to use just a flat black. Thoughts????

Thanks.....

Frank

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9543979...7622269687116/

[Don H.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

So that's what it looks like under there,,,,,,,,,,,
thanks Frank for posting that storyboard of photos. I have only had my 65 for 7 months, and am still learning about it. I have tinkered a little under some carpet pieces, and under my dash and behind my console. Your display of photos helps a lot in explaining some things for me.
I appreciate your effort, and willingness to share.
thank you
Don

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

Hi Frank, I have a '66 that has never been repainted or had any interior repair work. The plates appear to be zinc colored as you noted, and appear to be bare metal. The spring appears to have slight body color overspray, and the bracket that bolts to the decklid has the front half painted with a very thin coat of body color, and the rear part looks bare. I can do a more thorough inspection tomorrow if you need more infomation, I could wipe these items with a wet towel to get a better idea. The painter did not spend a lot of time here.
Ken

[Joe C.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

From one of the photos, your car appears to have an AO Smith built body. If that is the case, then most of the steel parts that were attached to the fiberglass (as well as the entire bird cage, which was zinc chromate in all cases), including the deck hinges/springs were primed zinc chromate.
In order to reliably duplicate the original finish, you should also apply some Milano Maroon overspray atop the primer.

[Frank E.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

From one of the photos, your car appears to have an AO Smith built body. If that is the case, then most of the steel parts that were attached to the fiberglass (as well as the entire bird cage, which was zinc chromate in all cases), including the deck hinges/springs were primed zinc chromate.
In order to reliably duplicate the original finish, you should also apply some Milano Maroon overspray atop the primer.

Thanks Joe, you are correct about it being an AO Smith body. What you described is what it seems to be, less all the rust. I'll get out my air brush and see what we can do here....


Thanks...


Frank

[Frank E.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

Hi Frank, I have a '66 that has never been repainted or had any interior repair work. The plates appear to be zinc colored as you noted, and appear to be bare metal. The spring appears to have slight body color overspray, and the bracket that bolts to the decklid has the front half painted with a very thin coat of body color, and the rear part looks bare. I can do a more thorough inspection tomorrow if you need more infomation, I could wipe these items with a wet towel to get a better idea. The painter did not spend a lot of time here.
Ken

Ken.... Thanks for looking into this for me. Joe confirmed what you've described as well. It's air brush time.....

Thanks again....

Frank

[Bill M.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

Frank
Great pictures i have my 66 body off chassis and i found the deck hinge bolt that attaches hinge to body mount brackes to be rusted round. I wanted ro remove both of the deck hinges but find a bolt on the quarter panel side of each hinge to be impossible to get to. Does any one have any suggestions other than an hour with a 1/4 inch drive?

Bill

[Mike B.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

From one of the photos, your car appears to have an AO Smith built body. If that is the case, then most of the steel parts that were attached to the fiberglass (as well as the entire bird cage, which was zinc chromate in all cases), including the deck hinges/springs were primed zinc chromate.
In order to reliably duplicate the original finish, you should also apply some Milano Maroon overspray atop the primer.

Hi Joe,

I've got an A.O. Smith '65 and a St. Louis '66. Could you please tell me what led you to correctly believe that Frank's car's body was A.O. Smith built? Which shot was it? I find this very interesting as I've had my nose deep inside both of my cars.

Thanks,
Mike '65 350hp, '66 390hp

[Mike B.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

Ken.... Thanks for looking into this for me. Joe confirmed what you've described as well. It's air brush time.....

Thanks again....

Frank

Hello Frank,

Thanks alot for posting these fine shots of your original interior sound deadener mats. I'll be tackling this job soon enough on my '66. I'll definately refer to these shots!

When I took my 65's mats up (water soaked/mildewed) shortly after purchase in the early 90s, I was able to salvage those historic inspection stickers. I've got some identical to yours. Same name and dates.

Ruth Lawson, are you still out there?

Mike

[Joe C.]

Re: Interior Restoration Project

Hi Joe,

I've got an A.O. Smith '65 and a St. Louis '66. Could you please tell me what led you to correctly believe that Frank's car's body was A.O. Smith built? Which shot was it? I find this very interesting as I've had my nose deep inside both of my cars.

Thanks,
Mike '65 350hp, '66 390hp

Mike,

There are a number of clues which suggest where the body was assembled, and some of these can be found in the Judging Manual. Some are more subtle than others, and it is not easy to describe without having a subject car at hand.