New restoration project article???

opelspyder · 08-27-2007

Okay, as most of you know my restoration of Matt's 1972 Opel GT is about over

As much as I have enjoyed showing the world what I am capable of, I wonder how many people have enjoyed reading it and who despises it???? I have another 1972 Opel GT from Oklahoma that is next in line to be restored. This car will not recieve such a full restoration as Matt's did. Full mechanical will be performed first. The engine bay and belly pan will be repainted and new battery tray installed. After that stage is complete, we may or may not continue, but then the interior will be done and paint job if the customer desides so. I call it the budget build...not really a full out deal, but mechanically sound and began at a different direction where most may do theirs. There still is quite a bit of money spent on parts, but less will be done. Many people just cannot restore one like Matt did, and may want to see another idea on how to do it.

Okay after all that info and FYI

Do you want to see another restoration project that gets started, shown weekly like the other one, and then actually see the car get finished, instead of never hearing the outcome of it. Is this something we want to see again...or is enough, enough. The lines are open for comments. I have some differnet ideas on some install tips this time that I did not show the last time, like maybe interior install tips, routing of engine bay stuff. Let me know
Keith

BobCGT · 08-27-2007

I for one really looked forward to your progress reports.
Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to let us all peek at the great amount of work that goes on to bring one of our dear Opels back to wonderful condition.

Please do,continue on with another project!

jeff denton · 08-28-2007

I thought the whole thing was awesome! It's great to see a GT being restored to that extent and especially to see it done right.
There is an obvious question remaining, if it was ever mentioned I missed it, but please give us a ballpark figure on what this restoration cost. I'm really curious.

hrcollinsjr · 08-28-2007

Originally Posted by opelspyder

...Do you want to see another restoration project that gets started, shown weekly like the other one, and then actually see the car get finished, instead of never hearing the outcome of it...Keith

Sure, it keeps you busy and off the streets.

Harold

sbarc · 08-28-2007

I found your reports informative and very helpful. I hope to embark on the restoration of my Opel GT next year and your articles have removed many uncertainties for me. Keep 'em coming!!!

Steve B

jvandyke · 08-28-2007

Are you kidding? The thread was/is awesome! I loved it! More more more!

SpringGT · 08-28-2007

I really enjoyed your series on the restoration. It'll be interesting to see how you handle a partial restoration. Keep it up!
Bob

hallgeir · 08-28-2007

I agree with what the others has already said. I`ve been following the thread with great interest, and would very much like to see one more. So please, let us all see your excellent work on another project.

tomking · 08-28-2007

Jeff he was asked the approx cost but deferred to the customer to provide that. Why would anyone despise this documentation? It is useful and helpful and informative. yes we would want to see the next one too. Thanks.

Phoenix · 08-28-2007

I like it. Actually when you were doing Matt's front suspension I was doing mine as well, and while we went in different directions it was nice to see the way that you did it. I wouldn't mind seeing how you did another, especially if it show how you might do something a little bit differently.

newman27 · 08-28-2007

Originally Posted by jeff denton

There is an obvious question remaining, if it was ever mentioned I missed it, but please give us a ballpark figure on what this restoration cost. I'm really curious.

Originally Posted by tomking

Jeff he was asked the approx cost but deferred to the customer to provide that.

My plan is make the final post in the PROJECT thread after I pick up the car on September 29. In that final post I will provide enough detail that you can estimate the total expense but I doubt I will just flat out post the dollar amount. My running joke with Keith is that I don't want to see it in print

. In the summary, I will include parts expense totals, service expense totals (like sandblasting and chrome) and then a "billed shop hours" total from which you could estimate a similar restoration expense depending in what hourly rate your shop charges. This also enables Keith to provide future estimates without being pinned down to a pre-conceived dollar amount. Every car is different and every situation different and I don't want him to have to explain why one car cost more or less to restore than another.

Matt

Emtee · 08-28-2007

I enjoy the thread and lost a bit of work time whenever the updates were posted. I'm rebuilding my GT as we speak and could have happily read more detailed info on almost everything that was done. The downside is the frustration I feel not doing things at the high level that you are!
Maybe we could have a 'Mid Southern Resto' thread dedicated to your work on GTs and any other tips from other cars that might apply to GTs.
Thanks for the extra effort on this project!

Mike

vikesman101 · 08-28-2007

Keith

I am following your restoration thread closely, you do great work and while I do restorations as well, I might not be quite up to your level yet. I would love to follow another one if you would like to start a new thread. I to am starting on a customer car, a 1970 GT and like your client, mine wants limited work as well.
Post On!

Tom

RallyBob · 08-28-2007

Keith, you've done a great job of documenting and building this car. Keep up the good work. It never hurts to show another car, as every car has its' own pitfalls and issues that may not exist in another project. They're all a bit unique.

2 Fast 4 U · 08-28-2007

Liked it very much picked up a lot of idea's, please do document the next project too and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next,

R's opel gt · 08-28-2007

Well I am trying to finish a full 1972 restoration, I striped the body to a bear shell and striped the paint to bear metal. Lots of fun

I really enjoyed it. With a little luck I will still be able to drive it this year.

Lots of luck with the one your finishing. $ is always an issue.

BMWonly · 08-28-2007

Originally Posted by R's opel gt

Well I am trying to finish a full 1972 restoration, I striped the body to a bear shell and striped the paint to bear metal. Lots of fun I really enjoyed it. With a little luck I will still be able to drive it this year.

Lots of luck with the one your finishing. $ is always an issue.

That is going to be a wild animal, a GT with stripes that looks like a bear.

Just kidding ...

broszzy · 08-29-2007

I to would love to see your work posted here, as I'm striping a 71 gt for my first restore ever, so I will be looking @ your post for guidance from a true master of the metal. thanks for taking so much time out of your day to help us perfect our skills and keep these classic machines on the road instead of the bone yards Thanks again Broszzy

Wolfman3002 · 08-29-2007

I have to agree w/ everyone else. As I am also in the process of restoring my "73 GT, and being the type A personality that I am, the more info (especially the pictures!) that I can dig up beforehand, the better prepared I feel I am to tackle the project. I especially like pictures during projects more so than before and after shots, as this is when I get to see the real work being done, and the difficulties you've faced. Your restoration thread is also great to just look back at, and see where I am in the whole process. Keep up the great work!
Randy

opelspyder · 08-29-2007

I guess it is settled. I will be ordering parts for this project tonight and will have some coming from GT Source as well. When I have the Opel Meet in TN, it will give people to see the car before hand and look at the new and reproduction parts for the car. This will let them see first hand what the quality is of a certain part too. I then will begin a documentation of the car as it is going through the stages like the last one. I will talk with Gary about maybe keeping that thread clean, while people can post onto the comments thread as well. I will get it started first though here in about 2 weeks. I will have more before pictures so that I can later reference them and have a side by side shot. Again this will be a basic restoration. The body seems to only have a little rust in the fender lip of the rear. The car will not recieve sandblasting, so when I strip the paint physically I may find some issues. The rear belly pan is questionable as I see some rivit action going on there. SO WITH THAT WILL BEGIN THE NEXT RESTORATION THREAD-JUST GIVE ME 2 WEEKS!

Keith

namba209 · 08-29-2007

Keith, that is just too cool. I've enjoyed watching the restoration on the first GT, along with seeing the trials and tribulations that you had with it. Now to see a bit less needed on the next one will also be a treat. Seeing what you've done so far has made me very glad I did not undertake that process on Willit?, but, rather give it to folks that can do the job, correctly. I do know my limitations, and even after watching someone heat and shrink sheetmetal, I know I did the right thing. Man, I really enjoy watching pros do their thing.

08-27-2007	#1 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,021 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	New restoration project article??? Okay, as most of you know my restoration of Matt's 1972 Opel GT is about over As much as I have enjoyed showing the world what I am capable of, I wonder how many people have enjoyed reading it and who despises it???? I have another 1972 Opel GT from Oklahoma that is next in line to be restored. This car will not recieve such a full restoration as Matt's did. Full mechanical will be performed first. The engine bay and belly pan will be repainted and new battery tray installed. After that stage is complete, we may or may not continue, but then the interior will be done and paint job if the customer desides so. I call it the budget build...not really a full out deal, but mechanically sound and began at a different direction where most may do theirs. There still is quite a bit of money spent on parts, but less will be done. Many people just cannot restore one like Matt did, and may want to see another idea on how to do it. Okay after all that info and FYI Do you want to see another restoration project that gets started, shown weekly like the other one, and then actually see the car get finished, instead of never hearing the outcome of it. Is this something we want to see again...or is enough, enough. The lines are open for comments. I have some differnet ideas on some install tips this time that I did not show the last time, like maybe interior install tips, routing of engine bay stuff. Let me know Keith

08-27-2007	#2 (permalink)
BobCGT Opeler Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Otisville Michigan Posts: 176 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	restoration projects I for one really looked forward to your progress reports. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to let us all peek at the great amount of work that goes on to bring one of our dear Opels back to wonderful condition. Please do,continue on with another project!

08-28-2007	#12 (permalink)
Emtee Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 56 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I could have read twice as much! I enjoy the thread and lost a bit of work time whenever the updates were posted. I'm rebuilding my GT as we speak and could have happily read more detailed info on almost everything that was done. The downside is the frustration I feel not doing things at the high level that you are! Maybe we could have a 'Mid Southern Resto' thread dedicated to your work on GTs and any other tips from other cars that might apply to GTs. Thanks for the extra effort on this project! Mike

08-28-2007	#16 (permalink)
R's opel gt 2 seats is enough Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Grandville, Michigan Posts: 32 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	restoration Well I am trying to finish a full 1972 restoration, I striped the body to a bear shell and striped the paint to bear metal. Lots of fun I really enjoyed it. With a little luck I will still be able to drive it this year. Lots of luck with the one your finishing. $ is always an issue.

08-29-2007	#18 (permalink)
broszzy Sick with Opelitus Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 143 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Thanks Keith I to would love to see your work posted here, as I'm striping a 71 gt for my first restore ever, so I will be looking @ your post for guidance from a true master of the metal. thanks for taking so much time out of your day to help us perfect our skills and keep these classic machines on the road instead of the bone yards Thanks again Broszzy

08-28-2007	#3 (permalink)
jeff denton former opel racer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: near some glaciers Posts: 2,747 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I thought the whole thing was awesome! It's great to see a GT being restored to that extent and especially to see it done right. There is an obvious question remaining, if it was ever mentioned I missed it, but please give us a ballpark figure on what this restoration cost. I'm really curious.

08-28-2007	#5 (permalink)
sbarc 5 Car garage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Western Canada Posts: 42 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I found your reports informative and very helpful. I hope to embark on the restoration of my Opel GT next year and your articles have removed many uncertainties for me. Keep 'em coming!!! Steve B

08-28-2007	#6 (permalink)
jvandyke Opeler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,788 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Are you kidding? The thread was/is awesome! I loved it! More more more!

08-28-2007	#7 (permalink)
SpringGT Opeler Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 177 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I really enjoyed your series on the restoration. It'll be interesting to see how you handle a partial restoration. Keep it up! Bob

08-28-2007	#8 (permalink)
hallgeir Viking Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 778 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I agree with what the others has already said. I`ve been following the thread with great interest, and would very much like to see one more. So please, let us all see your excellent work on another project.

08-28-2007	#9 (permalink)
tomking Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SW Missouri Posts: 1,045 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Jeff he was asked the approx cost but deferred to the customer to provide that. Why would anyone despise this documentation? It is useful and helpful and informative. yes we would want to see the next one too. Thanks.

08-28-2007	#10 (permalink)
Phoenix Just another glory rider Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Snellville, Ga Posts: 1,482 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	I like it. Actually when you were doing Matt's front suspension I was doing mine as well, and while we went in different directions it was nice to see the way that you did it. I wouldn't mind seeing how you did another, especially if it show how you might do something a little bit differently.

08-28-2007	#13 (permalink)
vikesman101 Opeler Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mn USA Posts: 97 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Keith I am following your restoration thread closely, you do great work and while I do restorations as well, I might not be quite up to your level yet. I would love to follow another one if you would like to start a new thread. I to am starting on a customer car, a 1970 GT and like your client, mine wants limited work as well. Post On! Tom

08-28-2007	#14 (permalink)
RallyBob Project 1450 supporter... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pleasant Valley, CT Posts: 6,552 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Keith, you've done a great job of documenting and building this car. Keep up the good work. It never hurts to show another car, as every car has its' own pitfalls and issues that may not exist in another project. They're all a bit unique.

08-28-2007	#15 (permalink)
2 Fast 4 U Detroit,where my home was Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maria - Hoop, The Netherlands Posts: 2,008 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Liked it very much picked up a lot of idea's, please do document the next project too and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next,

08-29-2007	#19 (permalink)
Wolfman3002 Opelin' Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 153 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	I Agree Totally! I have to agree w/ everyone else. As I am also in the process of restoring my "73 GT, and being the type A personality that I am, the more info (especially the pictures!) that I can dig up beforehand, the better prepared I feel I am to tackle the project. I especially like pictures during projects more so than before and after shots, as this is when I get to see the real work being done, and the difficulties you've faced. Your restoration thread is also great to just look back at, and see where I am in the whole process. Keep up the great work! Randy

08-29-2007	#20 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,021 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Well then I guess it is settled. I will be ordering parts for this project tonight and will have some coming from GT Source as well. When I have the Opel Meet in TN, it will give people to see the car before hand and look at the new and reproduction parts for the car. This will let them see first hand what the quality is of a certain part too. I then will begin a documentation of the car as it is going through the stages like the last one. I will talk with Gary about maybe keeping that thread clean, while people can post onto the comments thread as well. I will get it started first though here in about 2 weeks. I will have more before pictures so that I can later reference them and have a side by side shot. Again this will be a basic restoration. The body seems to only have a little rust in the fender lip of the rear. The car will not recieve sandblasting, so when I strip the paint physically I may find some issues. The rear belly pan is questionable as I see some rivit action going on there. SO WITH THAT WILL BEGIN THE NEXT RESTORATION THREAD-JUST GIVE ME 2 WEEKS! Keith

08-29-2007	#21 (permalink)
namba209 5,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 5,974 Classified Rating: 0% (0)	Keith, that is just too cool. I've enjoyed watching the restoration on the first GT, along with seeing the trials and tribulations that you had with it. Now to see a bit less needed on the next one will also be a treat. Seeing what you've done so far has made me very glad I did not undertake that process on Willit?, but, rather give it to folks that can do the job, correctly. I do know my limitations, and even after watching someone heat and shrink sheetmetal, I know I did the right thing. Man, I really enjoy watching pros do their thing.