Looking for some feedback from all you lbc'ers. My problem is the completion
of the restoration of my '77B. I purchased the car three years ago. While I
was not interested in a body-off resoration (I know, there is no separate
frame, but what else do you call it), or a show quality car, I wanted a car
that would look good, and drive good. I started with a fairly solid, but
tired car. My work completed to date includes: rebuilt engine, fitted with
Weber, and header, Crane Ignition; rebuilt front suspension; complete
overhaul of braking system; replacement of the off-side sill (driver's side
is solid), and both floorboards; new carpeting, and upholstery, and a good
replacement dash from a donor car.
What's left - the body of course. This car is extremely weathered, and bears
the traces of several very minor scrapes, door dings, etc. Paint is the
worst, with the paint being pitted in many areas. I am no body and paint
man, so I have had the car looked at by a few pros, and the consensus is that
the car needs to be stripped.
Now the problem: Money. What with a new home, new baby, and new job that as
always doesn't pay enough, I am struggling to figure out how to arrive at a
respectable looking "10-footer". Has anyone out there approached things this
way? I have considered a DIY approach (as has been done with 90% of the
aforementioned work), but at present I lack a compressor, spray gun, DA
Sander, etc. Purchase of this equipment would of course add up to a major
protions of the savings I would realize if I did it myself, and I don't know
if I could obtain respectable looking results. Outfits like MAACO are out
there, but I question the quality of work I would end up with. Bottom line
is that a $2000-$4000 paint job is out of the question. Any
suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
Regards,
MGBChris@aol.com
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