I am looking for anyone who can highly recommend a restorer for my 67 GP. Also I want to re-chrome both bumpers. I am looking for 1st rate. I recently retired from the CF after 20+ years, and have plenty of time on my hands and understand that it will be expensive. Very little body-work needed (assuming that no surprises are under the old paint)Floor/trunk/rockers/quarters all good. The snow is about to start, and I want to be on top of this. I am nervous about choosing a yellow pages ad and going with it. I need a happy customer or two to recommend. I can deliver car and bumpers almost anywhere, and can do most prep work. Lastly, Will pay instant cash for the right a set of Cragar SS (old school). 5 Bolt 4.75. Looks like 'antique pewter' for color unless I get talked out of it......and they are trying.
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Oldgold sound like great people, we spoke and they are precisely what I was looking for, but they have their hands full this winter. I MUST be on the road by June or I'll wait. I dont mind travelling to another province if I have to. My inlaws are in St Catharines Ontario, so that would also be a prime location for me. I have used Reds on Merriton before and got very good value. I will do it again if the resto doesnt happen, just for a cover job and plan the resto for 'later'. I would love to learn how on a different car or two, but want a pro for mine. Hopefully I can find the right guy. Thanks for the lead anyway. I can pay all cash, or any combination of firewood, lumber, beer, expert cabinetmaking, beer, chickenwings or lobster. (seriously)
Mmmm. Lobster! PM CP member Gus. His paint and body guy is fantastic. I think he is in St.Thomas Ont. Its a couple hours from St. Catherines but the drive might be worth it.
I understand this may not work for you but I must tell you about the people that stripped and painted my Acadian. They were the best guys I have ever worked with and their business is down now. I know this because they are currently doing the undercarriage of my Acadian, the body was painted in 2007 and we are talking about getting some updates done on my 62 convertible. When they did my 63 Acadian in 2007, I dropped it off in June and had it back in Aug. They can do everything from fabricating to paint and mechanical. The owner just showed me a new paint process that is out of this world if you want show paint. They can do a base clear with a diamond media that only shows in bright sunlight and it is beautiful. They have a paint booth and several different buildings devoted to different types of work. They would have no problem doing it before spring. They are about 6 miles or so from me and I transport antique and classic's in my enclosed trailer. I could meet you at the border or come to your location to haul the car into Michigan. Their shop is located in Freeland, MI about 125 miles from Sarnia. I will post a picture of my car in case you havn't seen it. The shop is called Automotive Specialties Inc. and I would be more than happy to put you in contact with the owner, Paul. Also, if I moved your car, I would do it for expenses only as a favor to Paul and a fellow member of Canadian Poncho. Thanks, Norm
You definitely had the right people do yours if the pics are any indication. Love the color too. I sure wish you were closer. I dont even have a passport anymore, and I would like to be able to be on site if necessary. I truely appreciate the offer, and love how like minded people on this site help you achieve your objective, rather than a business op. Like everyone I want show paint at a driver price, but realistically I expect to settle somewhere in the middle. I'd hate to have a job to expensive to drive. I am in NB and havent written off the idea, if the offer is around when I make a decision. I assume it would be next to impossible to make an agreement without the car first, and I would be partially committed at that point if you know what I mean. I am definitely willing to travel, as I am off the beaten path a little, I hope to find a local first and have just begun seriously looking. Thanks Again Norm
I am looking for anyone who can highly recommend a restorer for my 67 GP. Also I want to re-chrome both bumpers. I am looking for 1st rate. I recently retired from the CF after 20+ years, and have plenty of time on my hands and understand that it will be expensive. Very little body-work needed (assuming that no surprises are under the old paint)Floor/trunk/rockers/quarters all good. The snow is about to start, and I want to be on top of this. I am nervous about choosing a yellow pages ad and going with it. I need a happy customer or two to recommend. I can deliver car and bumpers almost anywhere, and can do most prep work. Lastly, Will pay instant cash for the right a set of Cragar SS (old school). 5 Bolt 4.75. Looks like 'antique pewter' for color unless I get talked out of it......and they are trying.
Please let me be the one to talk you out of antique pewter. I'm so sick of all the silver/gray cars on the road for the last 15 years. I used to travel to several wholesale auto auctions in the 90's buying cars for retail lots. Primarily the auction cars are lease or trade in's the dealer doesn't have any interest in retailing himself. That means the front row pretty color cars were not at the auction. All we got were the silver, white, black and sometimes blue ones. At times I would have 12-15 cars sitting out for retail sales and they were all either silver, white or black. I noticed back in the 80's and 90's that quite often street rod owners were always looking for different paint colors and not wanting to spend the big bucks on the more expensive aftermarket or custom colors. So, for example in the early 90's GM came out with a green kind of metalic color on their trucks and the trucks sold well. That color was popular for 4-5 years on their light duty trucks. The first year or two it was out, when the car shows began in the spring, you would see a couple cars come out with new paint and it occasionally would be this green truck color. Then after 5 years or so that color got old and was dropped from the trucks. All those trucks that had been sold in 4-5 years were still on the road and you saw them every day. Then on the weekend you went to a car show and saw the same color on some rods mainly or maybe a truck. Your car was built at a time when the auto makers were getting away from the pastel colors, which are my favorites. The light greens, blues, yellows, turquiose colors were fading out and I see your car is a burgandy color. That color is correct for the era your car was built. You would be hard pressed to find a silver or pewter color car from what 1967? Cortez silver came around in 69 or 70. The products that are available today will make your car shine no matter what color you choose. But, in my opinion, it just doesn't work to use a color from another era on your 60's automobile. Paint it black, white, bright blue, dark blue, a dark red but please do not paint it any color with the name pewter, graphite, silver or gray in it. I rest my case, hope you don't mind my opinion. thanks, Norm
I dont mind your opinion at all, in fact I'd like a few others. The only reason that I am leaning towards antique pewter is because it is the original color. GM certified (and looks cool). I think that there are others from 67-68 in this registry with same original paint too. To me silver (pewter) black and white are non colors, and I prefer color. I had decided to keep the original power train when more HP would be nice, so I am stuck on original color for similar reasons. I think If I went plum crazy or hemi-orange with two black stripes, then I would need (want) more muscle too. (I must agree......seems like 50% of all vehicles around here are silver/grey. I'll probably change my mind a few more times before I commit. (this car is antique pewter....very classy but not much punch.
I know exactly how you feel about finding a bodyman/painter around here. I'm finally getting my Chevelle painted this winter at Stickles Autobody. They do great work, but like most shops nowadays, they stick with insurance jobs. The only reason they're doing this for me is because Robin Stickles used to own ( and drag race ) my Chevelle in the late 70's, early 80's. Maybe talk to Sheldon at Trent's Autobody in Burton, I've seen a couple of cars he's done. As for re-chroming, the place in Halifax ( Zenith?) is totally out to lunch pricewise. There's just not enough stuff here in the Maritimes catering to us car guys
I have been to Trents Autobody recently. He likes the car but is busy with a Chevelle this winter. I have seen his work and it is the real deal for sure. I cant wait a year before starting. Although, if I am forced to, it would be very convenient as he is my neighbor, and I could literally pull it home with the ATV in 5 min when he needs his space back and I have my own. I could also strip, prep, etc much easier. (He has a nice TA out front). I am willing to cross the country if needed, but obviously closer would be better. I have military friends at every base and can work through them if I find someone in another city. I cant see going to the US, due to border/custom/passport concerns. I WILL find the right place, I've only just started looking and I am obsessed and retired so I stand a chance. I am a cabinetmaker and wish I could do with metal what I can with wood, I am about to learn......but not on this car. I'm gonna try to fix my sons nova once the snow hits. (rockers are real bad on the Nova in the pic below).
I think the skill is here, but not many real 'walk in' business available to someone off the street. My 2nd choice is St Catharines On and surrounding area. A poncho enthusiast would be the ultimate.
I'm "retired" military too Tom. (Almost 23 years ) I started working in Gagetown here about 2 1/2 years ago, splitting time Base Maintenance and 4ESR, working on LAV III's and TLAVs. It's pretty funny that Sheldon ( Trent's) is your neighbor!
They do complete resto. but have a fantastic painter on staff...
