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I recently inherited a '66 Convertible and am considering a full restoration. The car has been in Ermine White/ Dark Blue Leather since at least 1971, but the trim tag reads Laguna Blue/Dark Blue interior. I'm conflicted about keeping the white, vs restoring to original color. I really need to see Laguna Blue car in person so I can make an informed decision. Is anyone in the general NJ area willing to show their Laguna Blue '66?
Car and white paint appear to be in very nice condition. Other than taking it back to the original color, what are your reasons for wanting a color change? The car could be out of your possession for a year and quite possibly longer...it's called "paint jail". A new, correct paint job (color change) is going to cost you anywhere from $30-$40,000 or more. I love the white over blue. My suggestion, is to drive her for a while and see if you don't enjoy her just the way she is.
I don't know where in NJ you are, but if you're not to far from Philadelphia, the Simeone Museum has a Laguna Blue 66 427 convertible in their collection. To be honest it's worth a trip to the Simeone even if you're not interested in looking at their 66. The Simeone has about 80 cars in the collection, all either sports cars or historic race cars. Among the collection is Corvette Grand Sport 002, one of the six Shelby Daytona Coupes made, 2 GT40's, a Bugatti, Cunningham C4R, a number of 50's and 60's Ferrari's, a Mercedes Gullwing, a 917 Porsche and many others.
I don't exactly want a color change per se, but she's going to "The Vette Shop" in July for an evaluation, and I want to consider my options in the event we go ahead with a full restoration.
My dad bought the car in 1971 from what was essentially a "chop shop" for $1600. We suspect that sometime in the first 5 years of its life, someone blew up the engine and destroyed the hood. The "chop shop" replaced the engine with a 327/340 HP engine/intake/carb/air cleaner from a 1963 corvette, removed the '66 exhaust (since it didn't fit the '63 manifolds), got a donor hood from another car, and repainted the car white. Car was repainted again sometime in the 1980s.
Over the years, the car has been worked on by mechanics with various levels of competence. Many parts are missing, incorrect, worn down, etc. Some things are "jury-rigged". My big concern is the suspension. I think the rubber bushings are at the end of their life. Hearing alot of strange suspension noises when I drive the car.
unless your dead set on a color change that will lead to a rabbit hole that will the spiral out of control in a hurry. beside the fact that you are looking at 15-20k to do a paint job you will realize everything else that is close in contact with the exterior won't be good enough to put back on shiny new paint. so now all new chrome 5k+, interior 5K+ engine compartment refresh etc. the list will go on. I would find a shop is willing to go over the suspension and make the car safe to drive
I don't exactly want a color change per se, but she's going to "The Vette Shop" in July for an evaluation, and I want to consider my options in the event we go ahead with a full restoration.
Over the years, the car has been worked on by mechanics with various levels of competence. Many parts are missing, incorrect, worn down, etc. Some things are "jury-rigged". My big concern is the suspension. I think the rubber bushings are at the end of their life. Hearing alot of strange suspension noises when I drive the car.
If you decide on full restoration, without any doubt bring the car back to Laguna Blue.. It is a rare 66 only color, seldom seen.. And white is pretty common.. Restored to its original Trim tag color and Trim you will find the car is worth a lot more after restoration, and will be more interesting to boot...
unless your dead set on a color change that will lead to a rabbit hole that will the spiral out of control in a hurry. beside the fact that you are looking at 15-20k to do a paint job you will realize everything else that is close in contact with the exterior won't be good enough to put back on shiny new paint. so now all new chrome 5k+, interior 5K+ engine compartment refresh etc. the list will go on. I would find a shop is willing to go over the suspension and make the car safe to drive
I admit living in California can warp your brain about body work and paint costs on a C2 but these 20K or less quotes for a professional strip and paint are just not realistic in my opinion.
You would be lucky here to get it done in the 40K-50K range.
Like you say it is a slippery slope especially when you do not know what is under that white paint.
Anyone have a Laguna Blue '66 in/near NJ?
