two questions: keep original paint / pinstripe

spawnconnery · Oct 14, 2012

I have recently come to care for an unrestored 1966 gto convertible with original paint and was wanting opinions on whether I should repaint it or just try to get the small imperfections repaired and somehow have it buffed and polished. I dont want it to be a numbers matching trailer queen, but want to drive it and still preserve the value. Ill try to post a picture.

The other question I have is regarding the factory pinstriping. I have always been told that it was painted on instead of tape. Is this true?

Thanks for any and all responses!

KingJacobo · Oct 14, 2012

Keep the paint original as long as you can! You can restore a car a million times, but it's only original once! I would love to have my car have the factory paint. Even if it has a few blemishes, I'd much rather have imperfect original paint over shiny new paint.

Not sure if pinstripes were painted on originally.

geeteeohguy · Oct 14, 2012

WOW! Yes, leave the paint alone, IMO. They are, indeed, only original once. Also, strange as it seems, original paint cars generate much more attention than do repainted/restored ones. And yes, the pinstripe was hand painted. To quote the Big Little GTO Book: ".....The '65's had stripes on them, and the early ones were put on by hand. They had these guys over in Plant Seventeen that used to stripe these cars---boss went around and asked has anybody used to be a striper? They had some real old guys who went over and they hand striped those cars. Later on, they had a thingamajigger to stripe them."
From what I've been able to determine, GTO's had painted stripes at least through the '67 model year. They may have been done with a striping tool, rather than a brush. Still a hand operation, though. NICE CAR, BTW...

ppurfield001 · Oct 14, 2012

geeteeohguy said:
WOW! Yes, leave the paint alone, IMO. They are, indeed, only original once. Also, strange as it seems, original paint cars generate much more attention than do repainted/restored ones. And yes, the pinstripe was hand painted. To quote the Big Little GTO Book: ".....The '65's had stripes on them, and the early ones were put on by hand. They had these guys over in Plant Seventeen that used to stripe these cars---boss went around and asked has anybody used to be a striper? They had some real old guys who went over and they hand striped those cars. Later on, they had a thingamajigger to stripe them."
From what I've been able to determine, GTO's had painted stripes at least through the '67 model year. They may have been done with a striping tool, rather than a brush. Still a hand operation, though. NICE CAR, BTW...

Even though I have resto-modded my '67 GTO mechanically and with updated seats and paint, I can't argue with geeteeohguy if your paint is in good shape. Nice car. Good luck with it.

jmt455 · Oct 15, 2012

Keep the original paint.

Mequiar's #7 polish/glaze works wonders on re-vitalizing old paint. Follow the directions and use a high quality wax after you're done with the polish/glaze.

BearGFR · Oct 15, 2012

:agree On keeping it original. Find yourself a local car 'detailer', one who specializes in working on show cars - high end stuff. He'll know what to do to bring the paint back and make it look as good as possible without damaging it. It's definitely an art, and they're worth the cost - especially on a car like yours.

Bear

67GTO4SPD · Oct 15, 2012

Wow! - very nice car. I'll give another vote for leaving that paint alone!

porkandbeans · Oct 15, 2012

Keep the paint. It's a huge value booster in the collector world.

Instg8ter · Oct 15, 2012

very nice car, classic color and look with the poverty caps...touch-up, buff it and drive it, its not a survivor anymore after you paint it. welcome to the forum

spawnconnery · Oct 16, 2012

Thanks for the resposes and warm welcome! I am in agreement with all to keep the original paint. Ive had many people tell me that i need to repaint it so I wanted some opinions from some true gto enthusiasts to help me decide. A follow up question if I may? The original owner blew the original 389 4v in 1968 and replaced the motor with a 1968 400 4v from a gto. In the 70's due to the gas crisis, he replaced the carter afb and intake with a holley economaster 2v. He kept the carter and intake and I have them. Currently the car is starting and running fine. The carter would require a mild rebuild, but I can handle that. Opinions wanted as to keeping the setup as is or replace with the carter? I would like to take it to local drive up car shows. Thanks again!

xconcepts · Oct 16, 2012

replace to the carter...no question

FlambeauHO · Oct 16, 2012

Keep the paint!!!!!

And put the carter back on IMO.

geeteeohguy · Oct 16, 2012

Replacing a 4 barrel carb with a 2bbl for the purpose of increasing fuel economy is misguided. It's usually done by non-car people, or done for people who are non-car drivers.....those who have no feel for machinery. As long as you keep your foot out of the secondaries, a 4bbl will net BETTER fuel mileage than a 2bbl carb, due to smaller primary throttle plates and venturi size. Without a doubt, put that Carter 4v back on the car where it belongs. If you get tired of sipping fuel, you can always floor it!!

Instg8ter · Oct 16, 2012

That car will be a hit at the local shows...guaranteed. I love seeing an original car on the road with 45 years of well cared for patina. Its like re-finishing a rare antique gun, it may look prettier but you wipe the value right out of it. That is a car that should be preserved as it is driven....i mean who didnt want a Red on black GTO convertible when they were a kid.

69Goatee · Oct 17, 2012

Am I wrong, or should there be a GTO emblem on the quarter panel? I don't even see any holes where it used to be.

spawnconnery · Oct 17, 2012

Most of the emblems have been removed and I have them. If you look close at the picture, you should be able to see the fading around where the emblem should be. The pic here has been resized and the resolution to see that may be lost. I'll try to post a pic of the rear. The right taillight surround was replaced by the PO and the surround is the most curious color of purple. I don't want to paint it either.

Pictures:

geeteeohguy · Oct 17, 2012

Great analogy with the antique gun/vs refinished, Inst. Or any fine antique....all of the item's "history" is erased.

skurfan · Oct 18, 2012

Leave the paint original

I agree, leave it original as long as you can. I just picked up my '67 today after waiting two months after I "bought it". He had to have it roadworthy and it was an effort. Car had set for seven years after a rebuild in a garage. Paint is original white and most of the hand painted striping is still there. Paint is worn and some stains and rust does through but it runs, drives and sounds great so I like it as is. Some rust around the usual areas but I will probably hit that with rust converter. Problem is...the converter is black. Anyway my old rusty original paint turns heads just like my resto mod '55 Safari.

porkandbeans · Oct 18, 2012

I'd say to swap it back to original whenever you have the time to do so. It's not necessary, but don't let it go.

two questions: keep original paint / pinstripe

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