Restorator's thread.

[Turbo6Smackdown]

I was wondering if there was a way we could put together a thread dedicated to the details often overlooked on our cars, for the anal retentive. Made especially for the guys that show their car, and/or love a factory correct automobile. We could have guys like Richard Clark, Thumper, or people here that were the original owners chime in with little tips, or answers to our questions.

I wanted to cover the little details, seeing as how most of the big parts (block, calipers, rims, seats, etc. etc.) are obvious. Things like decals and their locations, valve stem caps, clips, bolts, hoses, etc. etc. You know, items for the discerning automobile enthusiast. Can we put together a thread of the little known facts?

 

[jim0207]

I love the idea.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Yea! I know this board is performance driven, but there are some guys here that restore stuff too.

 

[jim0207]

Its hard for me to keep her in a stock appearing style. When repairs are needed I tend to go overboard with those repairs. So I do lose some of the original style. But in my own defense I have not gone wild with the bling. Repairs are always necessary. When parts are replaced I lean towards the life time warranty material. I enjoy working on my car a lot, but not to the point of replacing the same parts 10 years later. When she brakes down and its a part I replaced I say to myself " I should of spent the money and bought the life time part." I like the little things on my car that are either original or have been replaced but appear stock. She is a beautiful car and I want the best for here. I have been dreading the day that the original paint would have to be come off. Its been a struggle for me to remove it. But, it is not in the same class as the rest of the car. I finally decided to have a paint job.

 

[626gn]

Its hard for me to keep her in a stock appearing style. When repairs are needed I tend to go overboard with those repairs. So I do lose some of the original style. But in my own defense I have not gone wild with the bling. Repairs are always necessary.

x2. Although I'm not the original owner I bought my low mileage GN with only a couple of mods on her. I tried for years to keep her as original as I could but the reality is things break and factory correct replacement parts are not always available. The more replacement parts I needed to change (brake accumulator and ac fan blower relay come to mind) I found myself further and further away from factory original. At which point I said what the hell and started on a little mod binge

I still appreciate a correct original car though. Good idea for a thread. You need Kirban in here.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

There's actually more factory appearing repair parts out there than you thought. And than I thought too. And besides the normal locations like Kirbans and Highwaystars, Gbodyparts is starting to get into that game too, as well as Mikesmontes on ebay. For the most part, there's always a factory appearing alternative.

 

[626gn]

I agree, many close to factory appearing parts are available. I was referring to exact factory looking parts. The brake bowl with the yellow silkscreening (2nd design) on them cannot be found anywhere brand new. Even good used ones are hard to find.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Ah yes. I agree.

 

[gsgnnut]

I do like looking at correctly detailed originals and give props to those who go that route, but personally I drive mine and I have no patience to keep my GN that way, so I bid adieu to the powerdisaster, and hello vacuum brakes, hello lifetime parts and bolt on goodies. X2 for my GS too. she is much more fun ( and dependable )with the HEI, an edlebrock carb, 12 bolt posi , headers etc.

 

[buddy]

If this is going to be the official restoration thread can someone at least change the name to restorer or restoration thread. That word restorator really hurts my brain.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Why does restorator hurt your brain?

 

[buddy]

Because I don't think it's a word. I think it should be restorer.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

You might be right lol.