Factory Paint Flawed?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
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From: Roseville Minnesota
Factory Paint Flawed?
Inherited my uncle's 1974 Corvette about a year ago now and usually just lurk here on the forums.
A question I have wondered for many years popped into mind. The Vette was repainted at the dealership when my uncle bought it new in 1974. It is a burgundy red, 350 c.i. 4 speed convertible. From what I've been told over the years by my dad and uncle is that GM had paint quality issues during this run and that's why it got repainted. It is the original color and the only surviving original paint on the car is on the area inside the cabin behind the seats.
Did this happen to anyone else or is likely to be another explanation behind this? Too bad because the repaint is not of the highest quality. Would be nice to have the factory paint yet.
A question I have wondered for many years popped into mind. The Vette was repainted at the dealership when my uncle bought it new in 1974. It is a burgundy red, 350 c.i. 4 speed convertible. From what I've been told over the years by my dad and uncle is that GM had paint quality issues during this run and that's why it got repainted. It is the original color and the only surviving original paint on the car is on the area inside the cabin behind the seats.
Did this happen to anyone else or is likely to be another explanation behind this? Too bad because the repaint is not of the highest quality. Would be nice to have the factory paint yet.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
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From: Tampa FL
In my opinion the factory paint was flawed on ALL C3's ... the orange peel look in the doors has always bugged me.
Either way, I've never heard of a dealership re-painting a car because of a factory flaw ... although I have heard of dealerships re-painting a car because it got messed up in transit or after it was in their care (ie; they accidentally backed into it after it was on the lot). In these cases though i would think it would be a spot job, not actually repainting the WHOLE car.
Either way, I've never heard of a dealership re-painting a car because of a factory flaw ... although I have heard of dealerships re-painting a car because it got messed up in transit or after it was in their care (ie; they accidentally backed into it after it was on the lot). In these cases though i would think it would be a spot job, not actually repainting the WHOLE car.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
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From: Kalamazoo Mi
corvette paint flawed from the factory!!!!!!! sheerly not!!!! But seriously, i have runs, orange peel, and you can see the primer in one spot in the fender, factory paint (esp on my 1980) was garbage. No matter, she is getting a make over soon. peace
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
I believe there was a period of time when GM paint was not adhering to the primer. Can't remember the reason [changed paint type...changed primer type....different cleaning method....I don't know], but there were a lot of warranty claims and even policy claims (following warranty period). My recollection was that it was in the mid-70's and on the metal car body lines. I don't think that the Corvette was affected.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 121
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I am the original owner of my 75 coupe. Before I took delivery of my Vette, the dealer called me when it got dropped off at the dealership. I was not to happy with the paint job and was told that they would paint the car for me. When I went back to take delivery, the car looked great. I know that it was painted because there was some overspray on the trim tag by the drivers side door. It is now 33 years later and the paint still looks good. If you do an advanced search for my photos posted on March 15, 2008 you can see for yourself. Let me know what you think. It is true, some cars were repainted at the dealer before delivery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
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From: Santa Ana CA
Either way, I've never heard of a dealership re-painting a car because of a factory flaw ... although I have heard of dealerships re-painting a car because it got messed up in transit or after it was in their care (ie; they accidentally backed into it after it was on the lot). In these cases though i would think it would be a spot job, not actually repainting the WHOLE car.
Yes, As I recall, a member of our club bought a new red C5 and the red paint on the drivers door did not match at all. The door was repainted by the dealer under warrantee.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
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From: Tampa FL
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Stockbridge Michigan
I had a new '74 and the paint (Brown) was especially poor, thin, or non-existant on the rear deck just behind the rear window and on the inner side of the "wings". I think the reason for the poor paint job was sort of the same as the reason the Detroit Lions never have a great football team. And that is because, why pay for great players when the stadium is full every home game anyway? Don't see the connection? It was 8 months and 3 days from the time I ordered my '74 Vette until the dealership (Jefferson Chevrolet, Detroit, Michigan) delivered it. I think G.M. thought as long as they could sell as many as they could make, why change the quality. My new '76 (Red) and '77 (Black) both had better paint quality. These two Vettes only took about two month to delivery from the order date.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Nowhere Mars (Southern Indiana)
I had a new '74 and the paint (Brown) was especially poor, thin, or non-existant on the rear deck just behind the rear window and on the inner side of the "wings". I think the reason for the poor paint job was sort of the same as the reason the Detroit Lions never have a great football team. And that is because, why pay for great players when the stadium is full every home game anyway? Don't see the connection? It was 8 months and 3 days from the time I ordered my '74 Vette until the dealership (Jefferson Chevrolet, Detroit, Michigan) delivered it. I think G.M. thought as long as they could sell as many as they could make, why change the quality. My new '76 (Red) and '77 (Black) both had better paint quality. These two Vettes only took about two month to delivery from the order date.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 45
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From: Stockbridge Michigan
Yes I am aware of the production number inceases in 76 and 77. However, having worked at G.M. myself, numbers in terms of production increases are a component of increased shifts, numbers of workers and/or line speed. Quality always seemed to lag and was more a component of competition in the market. The Corvette didn't have much competition in 74, especially with the demand for the new rear bumper. Along the way Porsche started turning out some very nice paint and then the Japanese really started to turn up the heat with the quality of the new Z. The Porsches that I have owned were always fun until the engines blew. (There were years when I could hardly afford to buy a beer because of Porsche rebuilds.) And the 280ZX wasn't bad either, but they just didn't have the panache of a Vette. 1977 was a good year, I owned a new Vette, Carrera and Z at the same time. Life is good!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
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From: Roseville Minnesota
Interesting stories guys. Thanks for the insight on how things used to be! Once I get to restoring bits and pieces on the car hope to have the paint redone sometime so I guess it won't matter anyway 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 181
From: NC
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I ordered a '78 Indy Pace Car new from Silvey Chevrolet in Fredericksburg, Va. I think it was # 1305 or some # close to that.
When it came in ,there were 5 spots on the car that you could see either primer or raw fiberglass. All of these spots had a nice coat of clear on them. Being the classic that I and everyone else knew these cars would become, I decided not to have it repainted.
Anyway, I drove it 7 miles to my home. The next weekend I trailered it to a Vette show in Wilmington, NC. I was told by the Wilmington club show judges that the paint wasn't the way these cars came from the factory!!!
.
The Wilmington club member who had a Pace Car won the class trophy and placed 2nd Best in Show!! I guess it was the Thrush Sidepipes he had installed that put him over the top in the "Pace Car Stock Original" class.
Anyway, no sour grapes here.
Just pointing out that the paint quality in the mid '70's was lacking to say the least.
By the way, if you have my PC, give me a shout.
BILL SR
When it came in ,there were 5 spots on the car that you could see either primer or raw fiberglass. All of these spots had a nice coat of clear on them. Being the classic that I and everyone else knew these cars would become, I decided not to have it repainted.
Anyway, I drove it 7 miles to my home. The next weekend I trailered it to a Vette show in Wilmington, NC. I was told by the Wilmington club show judges that the paint wasn't the way these cars came from the factory!!!
. The Wilmington club member who had a Pace Car won the class trophy and placed 2nd Best in Show!! I guess it was the Thrush Sidepipes he had installed that put him over the top in the "Pace Car Stock Original" class.
Anyway, no sour grapes here.
Just pointing out that the paint quality in the mid '70's was lacking to say the least.
By the way, if you have my PC, give me a shout.
BILL SR
Team Owner
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From: Springfield MO
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