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Is the rest of the car all original? Does the paint kind of match the patina of the rest of the car? If so leave it alone as once you put a nice paint job on, then the interior, engine, chassis all stick out like a sore thumb and you're on the slippery slope of restoring everything...
That paint won't buff out obviously, but look at the car as a whole and get a sense of what you want the car to be....
Post some pics of the engine and interior so we can see the other areas of the car. I see headrests, so that's a nice option...
ARA
Nope,I would leave it as is. The problem with painting it beyond the expense of stripping, prepping and painting, is everything else that will need to be done as well. Bumper rechrome, weatherstrip, etc. There is no good stopping point once you tear into it. Enjoy it while you can and let the next owner restore it if they want.
It looks just perfect to me, just as it is. It has soul, and character. Paint it and it will just look like all the other restored corvettes. As is, it is a unique time capsule that will attract many eyeballs.
Not sure if it is original...what's that booger on the driver's door....a touch up? Or is it the original paint showing through?
Agree that for it to turn out nice after a re-paint, other areas of the car (like all of them) need to be brought up to speed as well. Nothing looks worse than shiny paint with worn out trim and rubber.
I just don't see what the upside is of removing the stripe. It is part of the character, soul and story of this time capsule. Remove to make the car more original? What's the point?
Frankly, I couldn't stand owning such a beautiful car with such a ratty paint job. Marlboro maroon is a terrific color, but what shows on that coupe is a lot less than terrific. I'd paint it, rechrome as needed, etc.
Leave it alone, except remove the stripe, if it's tape. If it's paint, well that is another story. It makes the car look like two parts of the car stuck together. Make sure the car is mechanically sound, and safe, top to bottom. Then drive it often. Dennis
Frankly, I couldn't stand owning such a beautiful car with such a ratty paint job. Marlboro maroon is a terrific color, but what shows on that coupe is a lot less than terrific. I'd paint it, rechrome as needed, etc.
If the op puts new paint on it would immediately and dramatically bring into focust all the other areas of the car that are not "perfect". It would look half baked and therein lies the problem. Inevitably this leads to a full resto or a car that never looks quite right after being painted. Also painting first and then deciding to do the rest is a somewhat backwards approach when the other resto work is better done ahead of paint.
Oh and yeah def ditch the stripe.
Frankly, I couldn't stand owning such a beautiful car with such a ratty paint job. Marlboro maroon is a terrific color, but what shows on that coupe is a lot less than terrific. I'd paint it, rechrome as needed, etc.
TOTALLY.
I am shocked at the others opinions on this. There is little else you can see on this car but the wheels, tires and bumper look good to me.
This car actually looks like it was clear coated over the paint and that is what has cracked to me.
I would be ashamed to be seen driving it. This car is WAY past showing acceptable patina or battle scars.
Can't remove stripe, painted and on the car when purchased in the beginning of 1969 car is all numbers matching power glide, and the booger on drivers door is crap that fell in the garage in the early 2000's, touchup is red sharpie, lol. No restoration just maintained up to safe driving standards it's whole life.
I think LouieM hit the nail on the head. It just looks like a rat-bagged old car now. If you don't paint it, you'll forever be answering questions on why the paint is so bad.
The whole "patina is good" theory was started by a cheapskate.
Most people will believe you really can't afford to make it nice and are just making excuses.
Corvettes are the American flagship for 60's era muscle culture. I believe in keeping the standard high. You don't see many vintage Mustangs driving around with 50 year old, chipped, scratched, faded paint. If you can afford to buy the car, paint it.
Buffing? There is nothing to buff. That paint is shot. It actually is the main detractor of the entire car. If you want to Have a “blue jeans with the holes” look then have the paint touched up and blended, or shot with a faded red single stage.
If your focus is to be the guy at the car show with the curiosity/oddity piece, or a living shrine/tribute to the previous owner then leave it alone. Either way it does not add or detract value. 99.99999 of people will not pay extra or want a vintage corvette with shot paint.
09-29-2020, 11:41 AM
Dennis
TOTALLY.
