Boy, I don't miss doing that work... Haven't sold the paint guns yet, but thinking about it... Looks great Stacey
Looking good! Lots of time and energy for sure, but worth it ... Took my black 70 GS455 down to bare metal last and starred from scratch like you. Outcome was worth the pain. Are you going for a smooth finish or the factory orange peel look? I went smooth and am really happy with it.
That is one evil looking car. Almost a GNX from 1970 if there was such a thing! With all the fixing of body gaps, I am going for the best finish that we can manage. Orange peel is more original but since there is so much panel work and replacement going on with this one, I want the best finish possible.
Thank you for the compliment! When I first took off all the trim and chrome & painted her black in 1988 I was going for the GN look. Loved the (then new) GN’s but couldn’t get used to the V6 sound ... (I ended up buying a low mile used one in 1990 lol). I think you’ll be real happy with a nice smooth finish! My buddy is ready to paint his frame-off 70 GSX and after looking at my GSX (which is orange peely) and the black GS455 he decided to go smooth too. Can’t wait to see it when it’s done. I love Sherwood green. There was a really nice one at the GSCA Nats last fall with Stage 2 emblems on it.
These photos aren't new but they show all the work Rich had to do to get a NOS passenger fender to fit right. In addition to the top being too "flat" which requires drilling and re-welding out all the spot welds, the heel part of the fender required some adjustment too.
A few more updates: Rich has finished detail painting the trunk, underside of the hood, and dash area. I am still rounding up parts where things are either missing or not correct for 1970 car. Trunk area is below. Note how the trunk paint does not cover all of the black. The painters back in 1970 were just trying to get paint over most of the trunk, it wasn't a detailed job with masking. The 1967 GS400 I just parted out showed a similar application of spatter paint:
Just got the bumper back from the plater. I bought off a board member here and had it shipped to Minnesota on a bus. It was a clean California part but required lots of straightening as the original car had rolled backwards into something, leaving a few dents. I had this one done at Northstar Plating in Brainerd, MN. They do a nice job. Before and after pictures:
Thanks for the update. Are you planning on installing the interior and trim yourself once you bring it home?
A couple of shots of the dash black and "saddlebag" overspray detail. Not sure who the Coronet Gold car in the background belongs to but it looks like it's running neck and neck with mine.
No, I will leave that to Rich. Not enough time, patience, and skill to do it on my own. I mean I could get it done, it just wouldn't be as nice as what Rich will do.
Lastly - I found a date code correct Alternator off of Ebay. It's off getting restored. I think I found a correct, original master cylinder. Just bought some NOS turn signal lenses from GSfred. I just sent a donor brake booster, reproduction air cleaner foam seals and air cleaner support brackets to Rich in Canada. All from various people here on the board. Thanks all!
The pictures of the alternator I posted were from the guy who restored it. It just showed up today at my house and looks great except he didn't apply any finish to the fan or pulley. I have seen some that are painted black and some that are zinc (silver) plated. Which is correct for 1970 GS455?
Can't wait to see the finished product. It amazes me that there are restorers out there, and engine builders, that have the patience and knowledge to put these cars back to original, as in just the way they left the plant. My hat is off to all of you.
