How much chrome to keep. - Lateral-g Forums

Steve Firebird · #1 08-30-2006, 05:47 AM

Hey everyone. I am moving my car to a shop next week that should be able to finish up the prep work and get started on painting before too long. Here is my question. I have shaved the door handles locks and gas filler door and removed the emblems. I am trying to decide if I should fill the holes for the chrome wheel well openings and weather or not to install the chrome strip along the bottom of the rockers. I do not plan to reinstall the chrome drip rail moldings. I want a smooth look on this car and wonder if the wheel well moldings and rocker panel chrome will take away from it. My bumpers will stay chrome as well as the window surrounds and rear ¼ window chrome. I plan on painting it one solid color (viper blue) or maybe a two tone blue or blue and silver with no stripes or graphics other than I had the emblems and gills recreated in vinyl which turned out great. I have been looking for pictures of 68 Firebird done in the PT style but not found to many.

Steve Firebird · #2 08-30-2006, 06:01 AM

I thought I should tell you its a 68 Firebird also it will have a Super 400 Hood which has a stock look but the scoops are 1.5 inches taller than factory.

rocketman · #3 08-30-2006, 06:17 AM

I would go without chrome

**JayR** · #4 08-30-2006, 08:44 AM

I would keep the rocker chrome but ditch the wheelwell chrome. That stuff is just decoration but the rocker chrome is a stylish piece that also protects a little sheetmetal. As for examples of P/T 'Birds, Overhaulin did a 68 so try googling it or going right to their site www.overhaulin.com

jy211 · #5 08-30-2006, 09:16 AM

why not anodize or powder coat some of the small chrome pieces if you can match the color...not sure if the metal pieces may take it though...

Speedster · #6 08-30-2006, 09:27 AM

Hey Steve, haven't talked to you in a while. Sounds like you are moving along on your Bird. There are a few things you discussed that are in this photo - e.g. the Super 400 hood, trim deleted and a PT look. Just figured seeing it may help you out.

Speedster · #7 08-30-2006, 09:34 AM

One other thing Steve -
Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the Super 400 hood. The hood is a decent piece but it did not fit on mine very well. Tapered and too wide in the back, and the arch in the hood does not match the fender line. I think there is about 60+ hours into matching the hood correctly. (They had to make a bunch of small slits in the bottom hood supports, de-arch it and then re-fiberglass the supports. The hood hinges also had to have the slots elongated. Just an FYI for you.

Steve Firebird · #8 08-30-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedster

Hey Steve, haven't talked to you in a while. Sounds like you are moving along on your Bird. There are a few things you discussed that are in this photo - e.g. the Super 400 hood, trim deleted and a PT look. Just figured seeing it may help you out.

Wow your concept looks nice I have one of your early drawings as my wall paper looks like I need to update. I really like the clean look of you car. I wish I could see your rendering in Viper blue with the factory bumper/frt end and my rims ( they look like TT2s) and no rear spoiler that would be very close to what I am looking for. Thanks for the pic it makes me think my orignal idea of no wheel well or rocker pannel chome will turn out OK.

Steve Firebird · #9 08-30-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedster

One other thing Steve -
Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the Super 400 hood. The hood is a decent piece but it did not fit on mine very well. Tapered and too wide in the back, and the arch in the hood does not match the fender line. I think there is about 60+ hours into matching the hood correctly. (They had to make a bunch of small slits in the bottom hood supports, de-arch it and then re-fiberglass the supports. The hood hinges also had to have the slots elongated. Just an FYI for you.

I hope by some fluke mine lines up better... $3000.00 (60hrs X $50.00) extra to make the hood fit hood would be hard for me to take after I just paid for 100 hrs to fix all the poor workmanship we found that the last shop did. Well time will tell. I have not hear anyone else comment on the hood having problems but then again I bet most are not looking for th level of fit and fiish you are.

ironworks · #10 08-30-2006, 01:49 PM

60 hours that is nothin I just spent about 150 hours on a hood and building the hinges. That is shop record for us. but man it fits good now.

Rodger