Off to the Sandblaster

[markandson]

All the chrome is going to stay chrome, I love chrome. All the chrome is also being re-done. Plus I am added a few chrome things to the engine compartment. I still have the door handles and the front bumper to do. I was going to cheat and not do the handles, but I just can't do it, it all has to be as perfect as I can get it.

[markandson]

The sandblasting revealed holes in the roof, due to rust. This was my really good CA. GT that I got from OPELS Unreachable...yeah right . Yesterday and today the body shop cut the roof off and is replacing it with a roof that I obtained from another member. Pics to follow.

[markandson]

Roof skin off and self etching primer applied. The way they did it the structural part of the car was not touched so no way the door fitment will be a problem in the future. They are going to check the fitment of the front and rear glass this coming week.

[markandson]

More progress, the front is primed and sprayed with guide coat for final sanding. The rest of the pictures sort of speak for themselves. Spoke to the artistic guy who does the air brushing yesterday too. I am thinking of a sort of "fogged" blitz on the hood that would morph into a single wide stripe down the middle of the roof to the rear, which would be black with gold under it. Any opinions? Also, can anyone tell me if there is supposed to be vertical lines in the body at the front and/or rear of the rocker panel at the door opening.

[jlthunder]

Can't answer your questions directly but look at this thread

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/introdu...lian-here.html

post # 11, first picture

It is an original GT, never repainted, side view.

[namba209 (R.I.P.)]

Also, can anyone tell me if there is supposed to be vertical lines in the body at the front and/or rear of the rocker panel at the door opening.

I just took a close look at Willit? and there is a vertical splice line where you indicated, but I can only see it on the front of the driver's side. I'm guessing production line tolerances and the body shop decided it would be too much bondo to cover it up and smooth it out on Willit?

[markandson]

Went to the body shop on Friday. Doors were being final fit, they had to cut the left side rear quarter loose from the door jamb because the gap between the door and the body wasn't perfect. These guys are unbelieveable, I know I have to wait for my cars, but they are better than factory when I finally get them back. Front and rear glass and pop out glass is all temporarily in to make sure they fit properly. Next week the light buckets will be test fit AGAIN, to make sure nothing changed since they were in several months ago. Hood is being test fit also. I am still looking for a good solution to pass wiring from the door jambs into the doors for my electric windows and mirrors.
I would like to make it look factory installed if possible. Very difficult if you look at how the surfaces relate during the opening of the door.

[markandson]

Well she's finally GOLD. Some additional detail work will be done to make my GT unique, but it should be complete as far as paint goes within the next few days. Now the challenge will be getting it all back together without a scratch and also in time to drive it to Carlisle 2008. It's too bad the computer does not do the paint job justice. What you are looking at is 3 coats of silver base coat, 6 coats of Pagen Gold candy, and 3 coats of clear. The car will be totally sanded one more time, some highlights added, and then cleared once or twice more. The back panel is black with a gold fleck in it, the picture does not show it, and the color is much lighter than it looks on my monitor.

[jordan]

WOW! That is VERY gold Jeff. Looks like a great paint job.....now you can't use bodywork as an excuse for not having it ready for Carlilse.

[newman27]

Congrats on reaching such a major milestone! It sounds like you are getting a great paint job done there!

Matt

[jvandyke]

That's a great color. There was talk a while back about GT colors and I mentioned I thought that burnt orange/gold color that is popular today would look good on a GT and darn it does too!! Can't wait to see it at Carlisle.

[namba209 (R.I.P.)]

Now that is a fantastic looking paint job. Great color choice and you've got some great painters there.

[tomking]

Jeff that is going to be one very distinct GT!

[markandson]

Jeff that is going to be one very distinct GT!

I guess the Cops are going to pick me out pretty easily, it's not as copper looking in the flesh, if I can get a better picture I will post it. The paint "flips" from every angle, so when you walk around the car it changes from yellow to gold to bronze, you're just going to have to see it in person to appreciate the paint. The wheels, the Rx7 mirrors and what ever I do for detail will be the same black with gold fleck as the tail is. The detail work will be decided today, I am having a real tough time deciding exactly what to do. A standard stripe down the middle just seems to ordinary for what I am trying to create, but you never know. The guy I am working with paints flames that look like real fire, but I think even that may be a little too corny. I am searching for a classy look, just don't know what to do.

[BQS4]

A standard stripe down the middle just seems to ordinary for what I am trying to create, but you never know. The guy I am working with paints flames that look like real fire, but I think even that may be a little too corny. I am searching for a classy look, just don't know what to do.

Why not copy the "GT/J" stripes down the side, but, "ghost" them in so they won't be the center of attention, but, it'll give a little detail that will get noticed. Your paint guy sould know what ghosting is, painting something just a little lighter than the main color.

[PROPEL]

So what color are you going to paint those wheels???

Just kidding. That paint looks great! I like gold... time for it to make a comeback.

[Paul]

So what color are you going to paint those wheels???

Now those are the MOST aerodynamic tires I've ever seen

[opelnut_1]

Bet they will work good in the deep snow as well

[jlthunder]

Bet they will work good in the deep snow as well

Dang! you beat me to it!!

[RallyBob]

Well she's finally GOLD.

Well, at least now you can justify how much you've spent on the car to your wife.

'But honey, of course it's expensive, it's gold...'