Hey everyone,

Happy days are coming...the Chevelle goes to the paint shop next week. I finally realized there was no way I was going to paint the car myself anytime soon, so I'm having a local top-notch resto shop finish blocking the body and shoot the color.
So I'm wondering...should I just have them install the front clip while they're at it? Also wondering how I should transport the car to the body shop. Was planning to loosely hang the fenders and hood--good idea?
I can't wait for the results. They really do some dynamite work. I think having a nice coat of Torch Red should speed up the completion of the car.

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Tony Nausieda
1970 SS 396-350hp
Frame-off Resto: Just Say No! 4 years and counting...

Tony,
I was in a similar situation not too long ago. My 67 just got to the body shop about a week ago, but it started last April when I began looking for a painter specializing in resto work.

I chose a guy to do the work. He either convinced me, or I volunteered, not sure which, that I would hang the front clip & make sure that everything was aligning properly including hood & doors. I would then flash paint the fenders & jambs and refit the clip. He would paint the hood & doors off the car & rehang them.

I won't say that I regret it, but it took me nearly all summer, working only on weekends. I was also dealing with new NOS fenders that had never been hung.

My advise is to get them to do it, if you can afford the extra cash. I hired a flatbed car hauler to move the car for me & I followed in my pickup with hood, doors, decklid & other stuff. I might suggest that you do the same.



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Phil Wise
67 SS Convertible
(now on the down slope of the resto curve)
ACES # 834, TC # 231
Photos of a work in progress (http://users.starpower.net/pwise/chevelle)

Phil, who is painting your Chevelle?
Luis!!Canadian70SS
Maryland Chevelle Club
ACES
TC

Hey man! I get my car back Monday and guess what color it is going to be. Torch Red! I saw some of the stuff painted yesterday and man, that's a cool red. It's very bright and I think it will look good. I'll let you see pictures of my 68 tomorrow when I get it back.

Luis,
My car is being done by Nelson Blandon ("Nelson's Body Shop") in Mechanicsville,MD. He has an excellent reputation in S.MD. His shop is small, he can hold & work on about 4 cars at a time. It's just him that does all the work. He is extremely busy, which is why it took so long to get in. Even though I fitted the front clip, he will make sure I didn't screw it up before he completes the job.


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Phil Wise
67 SS Convertible
(now on the down slope of the resto curve)
ACES # 834, TC # 231
Photos of a work in progress (http://users.starpower.net/pwise/chevelle)