I've noticed a few midyears advertised as having original exterior paint.
How could I determine that ? Look for overspray ?

Thanks,

 

I don't think there's any one sure-fire method. Looking for overspray is a good start but the factory was known to have overspray so that's not foolproof. One of my favorites is to remove an interior piece (ie: door panel) and see what colour is behind it. If it's remarkably different (you can expect exterior paint to be faded but within reason) your seller isn't telling the truth. Probably the best clue is just to look the car over closely- there's not a midyear out there which has flawless factory paint these 39 to 34 years later.

A really good quality paint job would be difficult to detect and the thing is--- if it's that good, who cares if it's original?

 

At this point any mid-year still wearing factory lacquer will have every body seam visible. This is not absolute proof, however. Many repaints will also allow the seams to show over time.

Consider it negative proof only. If you can't see the seams, it isn't original paint.

 

I agree with the others in regards to original paint...there is no sure fire way to tell. A few others to add to the list here are. Due to age, one may see checking in the paint. One migh be able to see thru the paint from polishing...thin spots in sun light so to speak. Check the rear of the fender lips down low... you will be able to see stone chips etc in the paint...this alone may not be significant but most body shops pay little attention to this area and may not prep it when repainting the car thus you will see the chips etc painted over. Look for over spray on things like moldings around the windshield and the one at the top of the door that hold the outer window seal. Once again a body shop will mask it off as its is tough to remove and saves them time. Weatherstripping is also a good place to look as if its in good shape...once again it will be masked off and unless the shop spends a kings ransom in wages will have over spray on it. And then there is the obvious places like door jambs (especially the hinge areas) and on the inner fenders next to the hood...differant colors or shades of paint may be apparent in these areas. Look under the rocker panels on the frame to see if there is overspray there... there should not be any as the paint was onthe body prior to the body drop. As you can see most of the things I have listed are caused by laziness by a prep guy. look for the places that would be hard to mask out and 9 times out 10 you will find what your looking for.

One final note. On most original paint cars I have seen, I have been able to clearly see the bonding strips in the upper fender areas. They look like a darker stripe in the paint about a half inch wide that run the entire lenght of the fender. When a car gets repainted this usually will be sanded out and will no longer be visable. I could go on but this should be a good start.

Hope it helps and good luck


[Modified by Ron D, 11:12 AM 7/1/2002]

 

Up kind a early today Ron . Out chasing women last night or just getting home :D

 

Nope I trapped one and dun brunger home. I was dead asleep by 10:30 :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :lol:

 

Great info ! I remember seeing a "bowtie" car at NCRS nationals in BG, a few years ago and could see the seams. Also, looking under and around the window trim and overpainted chips down low.

Thanks !

 

Boy, It is almost impossible to tell depending on the care a car has been given. I saw a C2 at Galveston last year with dark green paint that was Bow Tie canidate that the owner said was original that looked like it had been applied this year! There was almost a complete absence of orange peel in the finish, and if the owner was being truthfull, then 30+ years of polishing must have smoothed the body down real nice.
:seeya

 

I have known of a extremely well documented two owner triple white 65 396/425 that was originally yellow. The first owner bought it for his WIFE, (I hate it when that happens), he took it home and the little woman told him she hates yellow. The guy had the DEALER repaint it with sixteen miles on the odometer. IT IS THE BEST PAINT I HAVE EVER SEEN TO DATE
It is the "original" repaint and after 56k it is virtually flawless. I almost bought this car five years ago, didn't and have regretted it ever since.
jer