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Red J-Code

Perkchiro

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2004
Messages
1,112
Location
Nixa, MO
So it seems the general consensus of those on this thread is that it's a colossal mistake and unforgivable sin to repaint a car a non-original color. Wow, I'm surprised. It's been my intent to not change my car so radically that it can't be changed back to original someday if a future owner desires to do so. Paint is a non-permanent item that can be updated and redone in the future. My car was originally Lime gold. Somewhere in it's past, the front end was wrecked and it was repainted candy apple red and the interior converted from ivy gold to black. It was my desire to create a car that looked like the one I owned in High School, so I stuck with the red and black colors when I repainted the car. It required new rear quarters, a new fender, headlight bucket, hood, a new door, new inner fender aprons, radiator support and grill assembly. The engine and tranny have been rebuilt and it isn't original, but it's pristine and clean. I've put many hours of my own personal time into this project and a butt load of money too. I really thought that resurrecting a junk heap of a car would be just as noble and acceptable than doing a concourse resto. It was never my intent to show the car for judging, but more for my personal enjoyment. The critical eye of some on this site is great for pointing out detail, but sometimes it goes overboard. If my car doesn't pass muster for some of you, oh well, to each his own.
Personally, I love my GT/CS!:grin:
 

luisa2552

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
330
390cs68rcode said:
please post a pic of the old CS. To me seeing the different things these cars went through is part of their history.

post it!

I agree! I want to see the pictures too!
 

luisa2552

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
330
Perkchiro said:
The critical eye of some on this site is great for pointing out detail, but sometimes it goes overboard. If my car doesn't pass muster for some of you, oh well, to each his own.
Personally, I love my GT/CS!:grin:

I certainly didn't mean to pass judgement on those who change the color of their cars. As you said, to each his(or her!) own. Our cars are ALL awesome cars, old paint, new paint, red paint, blue paint:rofl: !
 
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Mosesatm

Mosesatm

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,181
I don't think it's a mistake to repaint a car.

As we've said before, we all need to make our cars the way we want them and most people who see your car are going to be amazed by it and aren't going to car what the code on the door says.

But, if I am looking to buy a car I probably won't buy one that has been repainted the non-original color. Just one of my quirks. I'm sure I'll still drool over your car when it's finished like the rest of us will.
 

Midnight Special

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Messages
3,714
Location
Grass Valley, California
390cs68rcode said:
please post a pic of the old CS. To me seeing the different things these cars went through is part of their history.

post it!

...Welllll....OK. The first two is how it looked just before I got it. I have some much better pics somewhere that I'll have to scan. It also had a wild cam & ran best on 110 octane aviation fuel ('had a friend that was fueling planes at the local airport at the time;-). I drove it for a couple of years until I couldn't afford to & settled instead on a (slightly) more practical Mach I. The last pic is more or less how it is today in the hands of 'Something Special' Mike who is finishing a perfect restoration. He was just here & vowed progress reports...

No 'bashing' now... Remember, this was in 1978! I paid $2,100 for it & never wanted to let it go. I realize now that things do work for the better in the long run :)
 

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390cs68rcode

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Messages
2,864
Location
Houston Texas
love those first 2 pics!

just think, guys will in 20 years post pics of the riced out Hondas and fart tip mufflers and say "Man, what was I thinking!"
 

BroadwayBlue

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
Messages
2,900
Location
Hudson Valley Area, NY
luisa2552 said:
Having a J code myself (without the J engine ) I'm still curious as to how many were produced. One of these days I'm going to upgrade to a deluxe Marti but all the cash went into the resto. I don't think I've run across one like mine- J code 3 speed (now a 4) nothing but an AM radio.....

Sara,
I must've totally zoned out when I read your post the first time.
I didn't catch it until someone quoted you.

My car is the same - 3-speed J-code nothing but AM radio. Did you get the numbers you were curious about? I have a deluxe report - it's in my gallery. The deluxe will only give you most numbers based on all 68 coupes, not just CS's.
 

luisa2552

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
330
BroadwayBlue said:
My car is the same - 3-speed J-code nothing but AM radio. Did you get the numbers you were curious about? I have a deluxe report - it's in my gallery. The deluxe will only give you most numbers based on all 68 coupes, not just CS's.

Now I remember you mentioning earlier than you had a 3 speed J code. Your car had white wall tires! Mine didn't even get those:undecided . My parents had a 65 Pontiac Tempest with white wall tires. My brother and I would have to clean them with a toothbrush if we got into any trouble. The car became mine in high school when I actually enjoyed cleaning the white walls! I still laugh when I see white wall tires.:icon_lol:
Anyway, Steve posted a link on the prior page to a thread Jason started that shows 304 J codes with manual transmissions. Is it the Elite report that shows the break down even further? Color, options, 3 speed vs 4?
 

390cs68rcode

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Messages
2,864
Location
Houston Texas
Is it the Elite report that shows the break down even further? Color, options, 3 speed vs 4?

it breaks them down from engine to transmission and then it is pretty much a crap shoot after that.
 

joedls

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2005
Messages
1,980
Location
Lake Forest, CA
I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who choose to keep their cars all original, or original appearing. I, on the other hand, am a believer in doing what you want with your car. I know that if my GT/CS was still painted the original color, I probably would not have purchased it. I like the color it is now so much better. Just my opinion.
 

L8GR868

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
147
I don't make many posts, but I want to give my 2 cents. I bought my car in 1990. It was painted light blue. I knew that it was originally Lime Gold with black stripes. I know the history of the car back to the second owner. The car sat in my garage for 13 years. I rebuilt the car from the ground up. I know every inch of this car. I thought Lime Gold was ugly. Two years ago I stripped it down and repainted it Toredor red with white stripes. It looks great, gets alot of looks and does great at local car shows. I also put different wheels on it. I did nothing to alter the California Special parts but rebuilt to my apeal. However If I had to do it all over again I would have gone back to the original color. I have seen fresh Lime Gold and it looks great.

Eric
 

rvrtrash

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
3,667
Perkchiro said:
So it seems the general consensus of those on this thread is that it's a colossal mistake and unforgivable sin to repaint a car a non-original color. QUOTE]

Gotta "fess up" 'cause it just dawned on me I changed the color of one of my cars. My '69 XL convertible was special ordered from the factory with a non-standard color. When I requested info on it from Ford, they couldn't tell me what color they painted it but it looked kind of like the T-Bird color "Lilac Mist Irredescent" and I called it "Philadelphia Pimp Purple". I live out here in the sticks and there was no way I was going to repaint it "PPP". Everyone remember "Deliverance"? So I guess I have to say I prefer original unless the original color really sucks.
Steve
 

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