COMMENTS - 72 GT Resto Thread

[newman27]

Thanks for starting this thread Keith. I'm really excited about this project. As Keith mentioned, I'm looking to restore my car mostly to have as a daily driver that I can also be proud of. There will be a few places here and there where I won't want to spend the extra money for cosmetic changes because making it a show car isn't my primary objective. I'm willing to put money into the "heavy hitters" that really make a noticeable difference in the overall appearance and mechanical reliability of the car. I can always go back at a later date and do additional upgrades. This is the first car I ever purchased and it means a lot to me after 20 years of ownership. I'm confident that with Keith's knowledge of the Opel GT that I will get what I'm looking for and I hope others will benefit from following along.

[baz]

we are always happy to see an opel restored no matter how its done and will support this all the way , wont we folks

do we get a teaser of what colour its going to be or any clues as to whats going to be done ?

[tomking]

It will be followed with much interest from this community I am sure.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by newman27 Thanks for starting this thread Keith. I'm really excited about this project. As Keith mentioned, I'm looking to restore my car mostly to have as a daily driver that I can also be proud of. There will be a few places here and there where I won't want to spend the extra money for cosmetic changes because making it a show car isn't my primary objective. I'm willing to put money into the "heavy hitters" that really make a noticeable difference in the overall appearance and mechanical reliability of the car. I can always go back at a later date and do additional upgrades. This is the first car I ever purchased and it means a lot to me after 20 years of ownership. I'm confident that with Keith's knowledge of the Opel GT that I will get what I'm looking for and I hope others will benefit from following along.

Newman;
Just because you're having Keith do the resto work on your GT, in NO WAY excuses you from attending the GA Opeler Meets

[Mike Preble]

Thanks Keith for sharing this restoration with us. I know this is extra work to put this information down on the computer with pictures and narration but it shows us your dedication to your workmanship and to the Opel community. Matthew, as you know, we are only human and you are throwing yourself out there into the cyberworld for both criticisim and praise for your decisions. I, myself, will be awaiting each installment with eager anticipation to see how it progresses.

No hints, please. I hate reading a book where I know the plot, already. That is the beauty of turning each page.

Mike

[wrangler]

I'm looking forward to following the progress of this project as well! I'd also love to see a video diary of the transformation as well... like an hour episode from Discovery's "American Hot Rod", though that could be a bit time consuming to produce. Not sure about other site members, but I know that I would be willing to purchase a copy if you should decide to do so. If there is enough interest, you might even be able to help offset some of the remod costs (or pay for a post-remod wrap party! lol). Just a thought...
Brett

[Agent.NUB]

Originally Posted by wrangler I'm looking forward to following the progress of this project as well! I'd also love to see a video diary of the transformation as well... like an hour episode from Discovery's "American Hot Rod", though that could be a bit time consuming to produce. Not sure about other site members, but I know that I would be willing to purchase a copy if you should decide to do so. If there is enough interest, you might even be able to help offset some of the remod costs (or pay for a post-remod wrap party! lol). Just a thought... Brett

id be down for a copy. itd be cool to see how you did a lot of the work for those of us newbie DIY nutcases like myself

[BQS4]

Keith;
Since it's been mentioned, it does sound like a cool idea, making a video of the resto. I have my own VHS-C cam that could be used to capture it all, then have it edited down to something more useable, then changed over to DVD. They could then be sold and some of the profits go to keeping this wonderful site going. What do y'all think?
Gene

[wrangler]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Keith; then changed over to DVD. They could then be sold and some of the profits go to keeping this wonderful site going. What do y'all think? Gene

Like I said, put me down for one. Am thinking $20 including postage? Heck, get enough raw footage, might even be able to sell it to Disc or Speed channel... no wait... then THEY'D have the rights to it and it would cost double...lol

[newman27]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Newman; Just because you're having Keith do the resto work on your GT, in NO WAY excuses you from attending the GA Opeler Meets

Understood . I really do want to make the next event in the Atlanta area. I couldn't make the Stone Mountain get together late last year due to other commitments. I won't have my car for a while obviously but would love to meet everyone.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by wrangler I'm looking forward to following the progress of this project as well! I'd also love to see a video diary of the transformation as well... like an hour episode from Discovery's "American Hot Rod", though that could be a bit time consuming to produce. Not sure about other site members, but I know that I would be willing to purchase a copy if you should decide to do so. If there is enough interest, you might even be able to help offset some of the remod costs (or pay for a post-remod wrap party! lol). Just a thought... Brett

It's a great idea and I would love to do this. However, it really would be up to Keith and the folks at Mid-Southern Restoration. Since I am in Atlanta and they're in Tennessee, I don't have quick access to the car to do the filming. So, the burden of the extra effort to film the progress (on top of taking photos) would fall on them and not me.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by newman27 Understood . I really do want to make the next event in the Atlanta area. I couldn't make the Stone Mountain get together late last year due to other commitments. I won't have my car for a while obviously but would love to meet everyone.

Matthew;
The first meet looks to be Feb 3rd in Milner GA, Wrench459 (Dan) is hosting it.
Gene

[opelspyder]

Well, what ends up being a problem with video, is editing out hours of boring labor procedures. On shows like American Hot Rod, they condense 1 months show into 1 hour. That is basically left for all the fights and arguements to be put in to make a show. We have pretty much dropped the idea of that. Hopefully with pictures we should be able to get out just as much. There are certain little personal touches that I plan to do on this car to make it stand a little taller IMHO. There will be little things I do to the engine bay and motor assembly that I have found to be practical ways to not only dress up the engine, but hide things such as wiring or route things neater. Nothing radical will be done to this particular restoration as far as body mods go, not even lowering or hopped up engine. It will be everyday things with slight upgrades. I may even do a segment to show powdercoating, as we will be coating several components. Wiring will be a big factor, and proper ways to wire. The neat thing is it will be on a rotisserie and once painted, see how clean it goes back together. Thats the part I can't wait for. Well hopefully we get some progress on a couple Packards this week to start on the car.
Keith

[opel kid]

He's right how can you choose the right clips to save. Or you can have a video that never ends.......

[newman27]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Matthew; The first meet looks to be Feb 3rd in Milner GA, Wrench459 (Dan) is hosting it. Gene

Gene,

The first weekend in February every year is when my wife and I rent a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN with four other couples. So, once again, I'm booked . Well, that's two strikes now. Let's hope the third try is successful...

Matt

[gtmaxx]

To interest people to keep working on their opel gt's, someone should upload a video of a fully restored opel gt.

[Gary]

Keith - Is setting up a small web cam feasible? Just leave it on, pointed toward the GT and we can tune into it anytime during the day to check on it.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by gtmaxx to interest people to keep working on their opel gt's someone should uploas a video of a fully restored opel gt.

I think that has already been discussed prior in this thread if I am understanding your post correctly, though as for myself I am quite sure a video of a fully restored opel would be quite boring as all it would be doing is remaining still...fully restored. It would kind of seem like a video in place of still shots, not alot of action or progress.

[opelspyder]

Well we have a computer at work, but in a separate office. I would sort of feel like a watched babysitter????? I promise there will be too many pictures that everyone will be tired of looking at them. Who would want to watch me all day long...... Harold Collins?????? Naaaa. I will let people know also the brand of equipment being used and some of the tools I have to my use and where to pick them up.
Keith

[Gary]

Originally Posted by opelspyder Well we have a computer at work, but in a separate office. I would sort of feel like a watched babysitter?????

True. I can see the posts now....

Poll - "How many times will opelspyder scratch his butt today?"

Post - "Come on guy's breaks over. I want to see some work" or "No, no don't do it that way..."

Yeah you're right, it would never work.

[wrangler]

Keith, I tried to send a PM but, it said that you were not accepting PMs, so I submit the following :

If you can take the time (or a helper or even wife/gf etc) to film the project, along with some candid behind the scene shots, I would gladly edit the hours of tape into a cohesive, enjoyable film. My time is free, but I know that it would take an extra person on your part to provide the raw data. If I were closer I would gladly be there to film and (in some scenes direct ...lol) but, I think you really have a great opportunity to do something awesome. Though it was 'still' pics, I recently edited 800 50th Anniversary pics for my parents down to 90 quality pics to send to each of the children. Give it another thought, and if you decide to do so, like I said, the more the better.... there is always room on the cutting room floor, but never enough 'silly' footage to keep it interesting!
Brett

[benncojr]

Keith,

I am glad you are doing this . I went thru Tenn on US 24/65 on my way from GA to Indy, I though I saw a billboard with your company on it, am I right??

[opelspyder]

No we are not quite that big yet, but getting there
Keith

[newman27]

It had been doing that to me off and on the past month. There are a couple tricks I have used to get her going again with good success. But, as you point out, it's a moot point when she's going to be in hundreds of pieces soon. Some people might ask why I would be willing to invest a good bit of money in the car. There are lots of reasons but this incident illustrates one of them perfectly. For the past 20 years this car has run for a while, then died, then run for a while, then died... In some ways, I've been "nickeled and dimed" by the car over the past two decades because I've always done just enough to get her running again. Sometimes there were several years of having her sit between repairs because of a lack of time or financial constraints. I've decided it would be best, given I plan to keep the car forever, to just invest in a restoration to get her whole again all at once. Otherwise, the on again / off again cycle will likely repeat itself over and over. In the long run, I may even be saving money doing it this way!

Matt

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by newman27 It had been doing that to me off and on the past month. There are a couple tricks I have used to get her going again with good success. But, as you point out, it's a moot point when she's going to be in hundreds of pieces soon. Some people might ask why I would be willing to invest a good bit of money in the car. There are lots of reasons but this incident illustrates one of them perfectly. For the past 20 years this car has run for a while, then died, then run for a while, then died... In some ways, I've been "nickeled and dimed" by the car over the past two decades because I've always done just enough to get her running again. Sometimes there were several years of having her sit between repairs because of a lack of time or financial constraints. I've decided it would be best, given I plan to keep the car forever, to just invest in a restoration to get her whole again all at once. Otherwise, the on again / off again cycle will likely repeat itself over and over. In the long run, I may even be saving money doing it this way! Matt

If you like this car(and it is clear that you do) then spending the money to bring it back to the shape it deserves is not wasting money but and investment in happiness and that is priceless. I am retired and on a fixed income so I know about financial constraints, but I somehow find a few extra dollars to put into my project (71 GT/J) and one of these days I will get it done and it will be worth every dollar I spent on it. The most important thing is to make forward progress, no matter how slowly, and that seperates the want-a-be's from the I-got-it's so keep up the good work and give the old girl a facelift, she will treat you like a king