restoration guide

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

Back at it again. I may have asked this question before. what is the best book/guide, to tell all the colors/shades of everything, ie:, firewall, subframe, innerfenders, rad support, bolts, and other small brackets, etc.?

[cook_dw]

This would be the best place to start.  Especially for a 68 built in NOR.


http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18398.msg167062#msg167062

[firstgenaddict]

If your parts are not yet refinished you could color match to the parts you have...
If they are blasted etc already it will just more research.

FWIW There are various blacks in different gloss levels - the parts which were deluged with paint or dipped in paint -had THAT paint recycled over and over adding more paint as the supply was being exhausted - this causes gloss levels and closeness to PURE black to vary given the point in time the parts were painted.

Subframes were originally painted hanging vertically from the front.

Many original parts which were soaked or dipped in paint can typically be inspected for the direction the runs travel and thus determine from which point the part was hung - or which hole it was hung. This research will allow you to replicate such details if you are so inclined.
 
FWIW I have had many parts scanned over the years and paint mixed from the scans... many times the colors still require tweaking with flattener and or tints to get 100% on the money -

The number of times I have stripped or blasted and repainted a part because to my eye it did not look correct is innumerable.



 I will offer a "warning":  Once I had my eyes on a number of original Survivors, I was obsessed with my restored vehicles being mistaken for a VERY well cared for survivor.  - they SURVIVORS have absolutely ruined me when it comes to looking at vintage cars... OVERWHELMINGLY I will spend my time looking at any survivor from ANY era and ANY manufacturer over restored models which I absolutely love.

[Sauron327]

I will spend my time looking at any survivor from ANY era and ANY manufacturer over restored models which I absolutely love.

You'd have fun at my friend's garage. He and his wife own around sixty cars depending on the day. Many are survivors. Some are featured in Muscle Car Review. I hand lettered an SC/Rambler like it was when it was brand new and lived at the track. I've had many colors scanned as well. Problem is some paint does not look like it did 50 years ago depending on how it has aged. I work on classics daily and don't have much interest in restored cars. I like the survivors, whether well maintained over the years or others that show they were actually used as intended and are quite worn.

[69Z28-RS]

absolutely!   Gain much more information by observing/studying unrestored unmolested cars.   One can get more 'misinformation' than enlightenment studying restored cars...

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

That's the way I got the car.  but I have almost everything that came from the factory, L35, M40, 12 bolt rear-end, even original booster/master cylinder, and disc brakes. the car had to have floors and quarters replaced. I've done all that, and first coat of primer on the body. next I want to start on the engine and trans, and start restoring everything else, ie: painting everything. then send the car out to be painted. Oh and it's a paint code, 02 convertible.

[Sauron327]

had to have floors and quarters replaced. Repro or NOS quarters? The reason I ask will be based on your answer.

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

Repo, but have you ever seen a set of NOS quarters for a convertible, and could you imagine the price for them?. I have boxes full of GM NOS parts. from the 90's. mostly the chrome and trim. Even have a very rare GM big block fan shroud. someone put GM quarters in it from a coupe, they seemed it across the top, and I didn't like it, because you could see the seam on the inside. I do collision repair, and restored many cars, so this isn't my first rodeo. with all the original stuff, I just want it to look as near as original as possible. Just want to get some honest opinions from this group. Thanks.

[Sauron327]

Repo, but have you ever seen a set of NOS quarters for a convertible, and could you imagine the price for them?. I have boxes full of GM NOS parts. from the 90's. mostly the chrome and trim. Even have a very rare GM big block fan shroud. someone put GM quarters in it from a coupe, they seemed it across the top, and I didn't like it, because you could see the seam on the inside. I do collision repair, and restored many cars, so this isn't my first rodeo. with all the original stuff, I just want it to look as near as original as possible. Just want to get some honest opinions from this group. Thanks.

I asked because no 69 repro quarter is shaped correctly near the taillight. I correct this issue. I've seen restored 69's at resto parts houses and the rear of the quarters were atrocious and looked nothing like GM quarters. I own a resto business as well. Got out of collision long ago.

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

Mine is a 68, they matched up very well, with a little modification.

[Sauron327]

Mine is a 68, they matched up very well, with a little modification.

Sorry about that. I read right over it. Some of the older 68 quarters were no prize. They did not have the flat spot behind the door. The door apperaed to have a different value than the quarter. New Camaros are like that. Plain as day.

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

These do have the flat spot. built a 68 years ago, and didn't notice it when I was restoring, (factory quarters), wiped right over it. when it was done and at a car show. I realized what I had done. Our own car. So no bigge back then.

[68camaroz28]

This would be the best place to start.  Especially for a 68 built in NOR.


http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18398.msg167062#msg167062

https://www.camaros.net/threads/time-for-another-68-z-28-to-be-restored.182584/
I think Darrell meant here.

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

absolutely!   Gain much more information by observing/studying unrestored unmolested cars.   One can get more 'misinformation' than enlightenment studying restored cars...

I'm sure, they are probably miles from middle TN.

[68SSL35/M40/O2]

This would be the best place to start.  Especially for a 68 built in NOR.


http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18398.msg167062#msg167062

https://www.camaros.net/threads/time-for-another-68-z-28-to-be-restored.182584/
I think Darrell meant here.

That's a Super Meticulous build!!!  I'm going to build it as a "Day 2" build, (get it close, so the next owner) can Try to finish it like Chick"s car. (If possible)! but want to get major parts as correct as possible. It has all orginal drivetrain, drive shaft. booster, master cylinder, with valves, 4 piston calipers, seats, console.