What would you do?

[bbbentley]

My car is in the "Member's Rides" section. It is a X22 RS big block 69 Camaro with a date correct JH coded L78. Rest of drivetrain is born with including flywheel,bell housing, radiator, most everything under the hood is born with components. It is close to getting ready for paint. I only have considered doing the paint as original and doing the car mostly as original. There are a couple of items that I want to leave 'as is' as they show some of the car's history. Some of those items are" the original battery cables have the ends cut off(bummer),but show the car clearly had the H.Duty battery option. Early in the car's life, someone made homemade traction bars which I plan to leave on. I have a Sun ST-802 tach dated 1969,(the car is a non-gauge car)and some other old period guages. It is originally a 72 code,H.Orange, Black vinyl top, black D90 stripe, non D80 car.

My question. Since this not some perfect, documented car and has a couple of mentioned defects and add-ons, I would like some ideas or suggestions to perhaps set it apart from other H.O. cars. So, should I leave the paint pure original or maybe ad something like some lacing or other period mod? Not a full on wild scheme, but a tasteful stripe or whatever. Opinions and example pics welcome.

[Dave Rifkin]

I would add some additional Day 2 mods like a nice set of Cragars but, I wouldn't do anything permanent (paint). To me, the fact that it hasn't had the spoilers added to it sets it apart.

[DW31S]

I'm a big fan of nice Day 2 stuff, too. Can't go wrong with big-n-little Cragar SS or maybe even a pair of Super Tricks (depending on how "race oriented" the theme will be). Non-spoiler cars seem to be popular now, but that is a toss up and up to the owner. If you do the lace in the stripes, it can always be "hidden" if and when you change your mind.

[Day2_69Z]

X 2

I wouldn't do anything to permanently change the paint , especially fresh paint.
A patina'd paint job is a totally different story.

There are so many true to the times Day 2 items to add.

Good luck with fitting a plan together.

[chevyman0429]

Dave I second that! Don't do any alterations that can't be unbolted.

[earntaz]

Yep -- bolt ons for now ... easily changed!

[bbbentley]

Well, yes, I never intended or exactly meant "bolt-ons". After so much work, heartache and bucks, I would only do the bolt-on thing, if I did. But I am not talking about those mods.
I think I was mis-understood. I am talking PAINT! and paint only for now. What, if anything, would be an addition, albeit a deviation from a stock paint scheme, ideas that may get it noticed (for the right reasons) and set it apart from a "sea" of other H.O. 69s? Surely some of you guys know of something that would get the "cool" thumbs up, while letting everyone know it is basically still a 'stocker'? A couple of my own ideas would be to put a heavy metalflake black paint or a lace job where the vinyl top goes with the V.T. molding attached. I have also seen contrast fogging around, say, the sail panel or lacing of the D80 stripes.Maybe 'ghost' flames outlining what was the old paint job. (kind of bridging the past with the present)?
Now, I well may leave well enough alone and just make it all original and, for now, that is my current plan. I just wanted to gauge what you guys think if you came across a car at a show with something described above, would you say, "hey, cool, that is tasteful." or would it be, " man, he ruined an otherwise great restoration."? If there is a neat paint trick , I would like to see what it is and visualize how it would look on my car. So, paint only guys, thanks.

So far, I have a couple of "don't mess with the paint".
As far as Cragars, yes, would love to find some. I am a little late to the table in finding an old set though, but continue to look. Right now, I am stuck with a set of XT's and dogdish's.

[cook_dw]

Since its a vinyl top car you could leave the vinyl off and do a lace in place of it and have the vinyl top trim separate the 2. Then if you dont like it or get bored with it you can just add the vinyl and no harm no foul..

[cook_dw]

Sorry didnt realize you edited your post.. Great minds!!!