Decisions Decisions

[Fanthomgreen69]

This has been discussed before. Am having my 2/69 X77 painted. When I bought it 5 years ago it had the Z/21 chrome already installed. Had to decide if I wanted to take it back to original so i made the decision. I told the painter to weld up the holes at the gills to bring it back to original. Hope I am doing the right thing. Read comments from other owners. It’s your car do it your way. Will probably catch flak from friends for doing this, but I want to do right by the car and take it as close to factory original as I can.
Charles

[bcmiller]

I think it was a wise choice. But it’s your car. Glad you did what YOU wanted to do!

[67conv6cyl]

I am a total purist....however I really really like the look of the chrome...so I think I would keep it and that is very hard for me to say.......I feel your pain.

Sorry if I had confused you even more!

[x66 714]

Doing them back to how they were original is always a good thing. I'm doing my X66 car back to how it left the factory which meant filling in several holes from style trim, rally sport, power windows, ducted hood, spoilers, & rear antenna. Think twice before you drill a hole. I learned the hard, expensive way...Joe

[67conv6cyl]

I forgot to point out...I would only keep it because the holes are already there.

[william]

Been involved with 69s for almost 45 years. Have a number of close colleagues in the hobby. All of us have the same opinion about added style trim or added anything for that matter: doesn't belong on the car. Can't tell you how many Z/28s in my db have the same note-X77, added style trim. Always a ding for me.

Ask yourself this: If you were restoring a Gibb ZL1 [all X44] would you add Z21? Of course not.

Congratulations for doing the right thing Charles!

[ko-lek-tor]

What he (William)said.

[lakeholme]

Charles, congratulations on your decision.
Actually, taking it back to "factory" is always a good decision in my book. 
If at some point your decide to sell the car, you have definitely done no harm.

Don't forget to post pictures when the work is done!

[x77-69z28]

Charles, you will not be disappointed. I added everything Z21 on my X77 car back in 82 when I last painted it. EXCEPT the gills! For this reason. Never wanted to fill the holes. Of course, I have removed everything since then. If you are young enough to be able to post pics (I am not!) please do!
Buddy

[R68GTO]

My X44 car is under resto.  Reversed all the x11 cues that were added in the late '70's.  No regrets.

[z28z11]

I never added the gills to my X77, although I like them on my Z11. I think the general consensus is correct - if your going to restore one, make it like it was. If you don't have the inclination or the need to change it back, then enjoy it like it is. They'll turn heads and draw admiration any way you look at them -

Steve

[z28z11]

Joe,

Doing them back to how they were original is always a good thing. I'm doing my X66 car back to how it left the factory which meant filling in several holes from style trim, rally sport, power windows, ducted hood, spoilers, & rear antenna. Think twice before you drill a hole. I learned the hard, expensive way...Joe

Did your X66 have the quarter gills ? I don't want to tip the can over again (I've mentioned before), but I can't find where there were ever any holes drilled in my quarters, both appear original to the car. Pre-X code L78, original VIN'd block. The quandary is here, too - if all SS's had gills, then should I install them on restoring this one ?

Steve

[KurtS]

Yes, they should be on the car. I know of cars that had them removed by the dealer!

[z28z11]

Yes, they should be on the car. I know of cars that had them removed by the dealer!

I resigned to that fact during our previous threads - I guess I still hold out hope that it's an "overlook" car, but that in itself is a pipe dream - no way to ever prove it. Car has changed color and hands more than several times in it's life, probably removed at the dealer or very early. Both sides match. no filler or braze evident on the inside of the quarters.

I have accumulated a couple of original gill sets, they'll find their way onto it eventually.

Thanks, Kurt -
Steve

[x66 714]

Joe,

Doing them back to how they were original is always a good thing. I'm doing my X66 car back to how it left the factory which meant filling in several holes from style trim, rally sport, power windows, ducted hood, spoilers, & rear antenna. Think twice before you drill a hole. I learned the hard, expensive way...Joe

Did your X66 have the quarter gills ? I don't want to tip the can over again (I've mentioned before), but I can't find where there were ever any holes drilled in my quarters, both appear original to the car. Pre-X code L78, original VIN'd block. The quandary is here, too - if all SS's had gills, then should I install them on restoring this one ?

Steve

They didn't get removed. They're supposed to be there on a SS....Joe