The intrinsic value of factory paint

[ambitio]

The first question almost everyone asks when they see either of my cars: "Is it factory paint".

Whether it is code for "has the car been in an accident?" or that they don't have anything better to ask, it always gets me thinking : "What is the intrinsic value of factory paint ?" .

Over Thanksgiving weekend as my daughter and I were putting the hard top back on. Navigating our way through the many obstacles of the NYC side walk, from the house to the car, we managed to scratch it. I took the car to a body shop I know along Sawmill highway earlier today to get an estimate for the top. The car has maybe a half dozen scratches and chips all around collected over the years. The shop suggested to fix the scratches and the chips (which amounts to respraying few panels if not the entire car) and wrapping the car in transparent plastic to prevent future damage.

While I tend to agree with the latter suggestion I am wondering whether I should let them proceed with the former. After all, "what is the intrinsic value of factory paint" especially if you are not planning to sell the car?

[Frank Dreano]

On a retro T-bird ? Nothing ? The factory paint job of base coat/clear coat is a modern technology and easily reproduced if the color is properly matched. It will be undetectable for the most part. It is not like the factory lacquer paint jobs of the 60's, etc. that are hard to reproduce exactly with the proper sheen and hue. Not like the "glazed ham" finishes of todays. This paint job cost me $16,000.
IMG_0510_lil.jpg

[ambitio]

Thank you Frank - It is hard to focus on the paint job as opposed to that beautiful Vette.

The shop is asking +/- 10K for the full respray and full wrapping of the car. I suspect the original color is still available.

[AZTB]

Thank you Frank - It is hard to focus on the paint job as opposed to that beautiful Vette.

AMEN...beautiful car, Frank. WOW!
Just a couple weeks ago took my 2 oldest grandsons to a car show at Westworld in Scottsdale...explained to them the difference between a '63 split-window coupe and the Vettes that came after that (and how some '63 owners removed the split in the rear window only to regret the decision later).
And again...WOW.

[BillyL]

Personally, I would not pay $10K for a repaint on a daily driver just to correct minor scratches. I take my bird to a high end custom detailer about every two years. For about $500.00 they correct any paint knicks and door dings with OEM paint and restore a beautiful shine to the car inside and out.

[ambitio]

BillyL I tend to agree. About half of the amount is the cost of the plastic wrap. Amusing enough the mirrors are in good shape. I have a chip on the hood, scratches on the bumpers and edge of the driver door from when I bought the car, etc. Still 10K in paint will be too much.

[FUN X 3]

Frank, can I take your Vette out for a drive?

[Gobird]

I believe back in 02 I was the first to get hit on TBN in the rear right of the car, it was only two weeks old, coming back from Fla. to Pa. on R-95 by a PT Cruser. Took it to a body shop a block from where we lived in York Pa. He matched the paint prefect.

By the way, I had a 69 Vette with a paint job like that. It was Monaco Orange. Had that car for over 20 years.

1969 Orange Corvette For Sale - Bing video

[Frank Dreano]

AMEN...beautiful car, Frank. WOW!
Just a couple weeks ago took my 2 oldest grandsons to a car show at Westworld in Scottsdale...explained to them the difference between a '63 split-window coupe and the Vettes that came after that (and how some '63 owners removed the split in the rear window only to regret the decision later).
And again...WOW.

Not to hijack but the 63 only Corvette differences from later cars were in the hundreds, and, yes Popular Science even had an article on how to cut the split out to make the car look more like the later 64. The car shown above is in Bottswana now, a rich diamond mine exectuive made me a "stupid money" offer which I couldn't turn down last June.