Newbie needing opinions

Hello all,

I recently stumbled across this forum,and you guys have a wealth of information.
I'm restoring my 65 Mustang and trying to decide what color to paint it. I really like the original color...which is a Ford code K (32377) Silversmoke Gray Metallic. My other choice was to go with a chromallusion type paint. Then I had the idea of trying to combine the two....(chromallusion ghost flames on original...or some color combo)

It would be great to hear some opinions! I would also like to know...those of you with graphics(flames etc.)
Did you get bored with them?

If I decide to go with a full chromallusion paint job. How many pints to paint my car? I've read 6 pints...is that correct?

Thanks Guys! :)

Jazz,

Price of that chromillusion kinda take your breath away?

Six pints might do it, as long as you use an HVLP gun, don't waste any, have the recommended base coat, and don't forget, it still needs clear on top of it. Go to your local auto paint supply jobber who carries DuPont, they can give you the instruction sheets for application.

Richard, good to see the meds are working.;) Is redundancy one of the side effects?:LOL:

I have never gotten tired of the flames on my ride... I think as long as you match the paint scheme with the style of car you are building you will probably be happy with whatever decision you make...

Dave Brisco

Thanks for the insight guys!

Richard,the body will be kept original,the engine is the original 289 with extras.

....and yes,the price of that paint did take my breath away!

Does anyone else have trouble with this forum?

I've been trying to post a new topic and get a error message. So your not the only one.

If I were you I would not do any graphics unless the cars is hot rodded but maybe a simple racing stripe would look good aslo for the paint I would paint it what ever color you like best

my 2.5 cents worth

When you guys say"Hot Rodded," what do you mean exactly?:HMMM:

Just trying to get up to speed with your lingo...:cool:

Jazz, you have no idea what kind of can of worms your question could open, especially when you insert the word "exactly". But I'll give it a shot.

By "hot rodded" most people would mean doing some sort of performance modification, both in hardware and appearance. By hardware, I mean engine and drive train modifications, extending even to suspension. By appearance we would mean mild body modification, upholstery change, and paint items.

Where the rub comes in is when individual interpretation of terms is applied. As surprising as it may seem, since we're all subject to human nature, there is often a lack of consensus on terminology. Many would say your car is too new to be a hot rod. They would say that hot rods are almost entirely the province of the pre-WWII era. And that many of the way too sophisticated cars, meaning "perfect" paint, flashy leather upholstery, lots of billet, and independent suspensions, are too "fancy" to be hot rods. Hot rods are meant to be "edgy". Not sure I agree with that entirely, but that's one point of view.

Then there's the term "street rod". This was coined in the early '70's by the then new National Street Rod Assn. Their objective was to elevate the perception of the "hot rod" to something more "mainstream". They put a cutoff date of 1948 in their definition, so, for example, a '50 Ford couldn't be correctly referred to as a street rod by their definition. However, as so often happens, with the passage of time the original intent of terms becomes distorted by frequent misuse to the point where today we might see an '80's Citation with alloy wheels being referred to as a "street rod" in some circles!:whacked:

Then there's the term "street machine". This came about as a term used by folks sensitive to the historical usage of the above terms, but wanting some way to define, say, their '55 Chev with similar modifications as done to a street rod. So, generally, any modified car after 1948 would fall into this catagory.

Of course it can't be that simple, as we humans continue to strive to call attention to our "individuality". So more terms have been created. Let's say you took your Mustang, gave it a high quality repaint in the factory color, redid the upholstery with a factory style covering, but lowered it, put on Torque Thrust II's, and dropped in a 351W with a T-85. You've basically restored it, but with some easily reversible modifications. This would be called a "restification", combining the terms restored and modification.

There are many more terms: muscle car, custom, custom rod, rat rod, gow job, beater, pro street, pro touring, ricer, etc. each making an effort to split hairs and refine the catagorization of a particular style of car.

You asked for the defination of a term that has a lot of different meanings to a lot of diffrent people.

In general the term refers to a car that has had several modifications made to enhance it's preformance usually in areas of acceleration and/or top speed.

As form follows function, there are usually visual clues when the car has been modified. Wide tires and wheels (usually with the back of the car sitting slightly higher than the front), dual exhaust, hood scoop or a blower sticking through the hood, traction bars etc etc. In a lot of cases a unique paint job (graphics. flames, racing stripes or whatever the mind can imagine) is applied, something that shouts "look at me" :toocool:

BUT changes don't necessarly have to be visual from the outside of the car. A modified hi-preformance drive train under stock sheet metal with conservative tires and stock wheels and a plain paint job is still a hotrodded car (a sleeper).

I believe that M&M was referring to the visual mods.

Like most people, I can't necessarily define what a hot rod is in a 100 words or less, but I know one when I see it.

Yhea,, what they said......

hey Jazzstorm, ask Bob for a definition of Ratrod! :LOL:
Kidding kidding kidding..... :LOL:

Wel I can say fer certainty it aint a Funny car or is it?

So whats a highly modded (diff. engine, exhaust...all that)...73 Nova SS considered?

Its not a rod....I consider it a "sleeper musclecar" or just "musclecar"??

Any opinions?

Streets - No raggin on my car here either :-) YOU owned a 70 Nova is I recall....

You should know that Streets does not rag on Chevys!!!

Dave Brisco

On a numeric scale your wit is only outdone by your age :-)

No crank needed thank you.....starts just fine! You WILL respect my Nova.

Why a 'mini-musclecar'......it's not exactly small?.....It has over 500hp?.....What is the diff. between a 'mini-musclecar' and a 'musclecar'?

And yeah,...I agree with the 'teaching experience in progress" part...although that is too long to be on a vanity tag....:-)

yeah, what Streets said. Never met a ricer I didn't instantly dislike !!

Hey Jazz, I do graphic design work. Logos for car clubs, events, and paint schemes on rides. Just did one for a 2003 Kenworth W900L. (Lot of canvas there!!!)
I don't get tired of flames. I do know in my opinion they look better on some body styles than others. have you thought about "scallops" or even reversed "scallops"?
Your mustang has a LOOONG belt line. So in my opinion if you want to do the flames, make them streatch to at least the middle of the door. I think the chromapaint in a "ghost" flame with brighter tips would be sublte enough for your ride.
The Mustang you have has good looking lines. Don't have something painted on there that draws attention from those lines. Bright flames look great on high boys and such. Ghost flames and scallops look great on '40's and '50's rides. Have your car done on paper first. So you can see what it will look like BEFORE you lay the paint down.
DCON

Sheeeeeesh!! In my (unsolicited, to be sure) opinion, anything with gobs of power, provided by a big engine in a smallish car is a "Hot Rod". I built a three-wheeled vehicle (trike) with a pretty stout HO 2.8L V6 with lots of mods. It was definitely a Hot Rod in my book. 0-65 mph in one block in my small hometown. Year made doesn't matter to me. The "street rod" terminology for pre-'49 cars is okay with me, and I can even live with the "street machine" tag for my '56. But who says a car can't be a hot rod AND a street rod or street machine? I don't feel the terms are mutually exclusive. But then, I always was a problem child.:whacked:

Animal, this may seem like it but it's not really directed at you exclusively, your's is just the latest example of what happens daily here and elsewhere in cardom. And your posting a pic of one of your fine pieces of work makes my point more effective. Terminology does matter. It's how we communicate within a language. Without mutual understanding of a term, communication breaks down. The terms become useless. Let me give you an example. Looking at the picture you posted, I like your chartreuce colored rice rocket. Think I'm just some uptight guy don't you? No, just a problem child!

So did anyone figure out what a "muscle car" is in all this hoopla???:LOL:

If you were going to an officially sanctioned muscle car show and wanted to know what cars they would allow into the show here is your answer... T

A muscle car, by the strictest definition, is an intermediate sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. Most of these models were based on "regular" production vehicles. These vehicles are generally not considered muscle cars, even when equipped with large V8s. If there was a high performance version available, it gets the credit, and not the vehicle that it was based on.

Examples: Buick GS, Chevrolete Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino/Cobra, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO


Fullsize Muscle Car:

The strict definition only includes intermediate size vehicles. In reality, performance oriented intermediate size vehicles didn't appear until 1964. Before then, manufacturers took existing fullsize vehicles and added extra performance to them. Because of this, the early fullsize performance vehicles are generally considered muscle cars.

Examples: Chevrolet Impala (SS only), Ford Galaxie (with 390 + cid engines only), Dodge Coronet (R/Ts only), etc.


Pony Cars and Compact Cars:

In addition to fullsize and intermediate muscle cars, a number of smaller vehicles started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options.

Examples: Chevrolet Camaro (SS and Z28 models only), Ford Mustang (GTs and Boss only), Plymouth 'Cudas (no Barracudas), AMC Javelin, etc.


Personal Luxury Cars and Luxury Cars:

Although there were several personal luxury vehicles with performance engines and options, their heavy weight and high sticker prices went against the low cost performance definition of muscle cars. Therefore, they are not considered muscle cars.

Examples: Buick Riviera, Chrysler 300 Letter Cars, Pontiac Grand Prix, etc.


Two Seat Sports Cars:

Two seat sports cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird are not considered muscle cars due to their high price and specialty nature. The only exception is the AMC AMX as it was relatively cheap, and was based on the AMC Javalin pony car.

Examples: AMC AMX, etc.

These definitions are provided at www.musclecar.com and are a good guideline for the formal definitions of what is considered to be a muscle car...

Hope this helps...

Dave Brisco

being a customs shop owner i have to make alot of estimates, and you wont need 6 pints, chromallusion is a 1 to 1 mixture so 6 pints would get you 12 pints sprayable, at most you would need 4 pints, or 2 quarts, but if money is not an option theen i would go with a whole chromallusion car, but i dont know if you check it out, chromallusion is 722 bucks a quart! and if your on a bugdet then i would go with chromallusion flames which you would need about a pitn for depending on how much area your covering with flames, and thats a mear 356 bucks a pint, email me back if you have any other questions i can help you with
-John
Trik Ryde Customz

Jazz, I just finished a 65 Mustang coupe and I found myself asking the same questions. The answers that I came up with were simple, do what it is you want to do. If you are worried what others are going to think about the car you need to remember one thing. It is still a muscle car, and there are paint mods you can do to a muscle car to make it nifty. For instance, I decided that a GT style set of stripes down the center of my non-GT coupe would make it look hot. And it did. Look at some pictures of restored and rodded Mustangs and get some ideas. I found that a good magazine for that kind of info is Mustangs and Fords. Has lots of good info and pics.

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the input.I am taking all your ideas into consideration.

You guys are the best! :)

Whatever you call your ride, the point is, either you restore the car, or you don't. As said very well above, restoration means bringing the car back to factory specs.
For what reason? Resale value, show/competion? You found a car just like the first one you... uh... well, you know, had a good time in...... ? if that is the case, then you need to replace the paint with the original color, and process if possible.
If the car is your feel good "I like to drive this car" machine.. paint the darn thing what ever color you want...
And sometimes, I think that my flames are gettig old and borig, and just then I get a head turn and a compliment, and the thought vanishes.
The car should be what you want, to express yourself. Go ahead, try something new....
I personally don't like the color changing paint, but that is just me.....
Make it shine, enjoy the ride....
Toaster

RED

Over here in NZ many of our clubs are constantly battling with the same issue (what is a hot rod, street machine etc). It realy came to light when we started to see Australian V8 Fords, Holdens (GM) and Cyrstlers being brought into hot rod clubs. Some people thought - no way are we having Australian junk with us", and so developed a defintion that a hot rod had to be of american origin and V8. That lasted in many clubs (although US projects are so expensive to get into over here that Holdens and Australian Fords are a great way to get young ones into the hobby). Then along came the jappas (sorry dont know what you guys call them - Japanese alimunium cans??) onto the drag strip and the lke which put another straw in the barrel. Do we let them into the clubs or drag racing association. While this was happening many people were still saying "it has to be pre-WW2"

At the end of the day, I have to maintain that a hot rod is anything US and V8 that has been modified for performance and looks. That said, I am appreciative of the effort that the boys put into their Australian and Japanese cars. Alot of them are great work, but not what I would call a hot rod (I drive a V8 Holden as a daily runner).

The subcatgories are all good to describe cars, but will not satisfy everyone. As an example, over here at the moment, there is a big debate by owners of rat rods on if this is a term they want to have associated with their cars, or if they would prefer restoration rod, classic rod etc etc.

As we move through the years, things such as 50's and 60's cars are getting harder to come by, and attract the attention of the public when supped up and lowered. In my mind, the most important thing about cars is that you enjoy them. Regardless of what you call them. But it has to be a V8 - and not a rover!

I gladly accept my f100 being referred to as a "rat rod". I bought the parts, I built it, I painted it, and I DRIVE IT!!!!

I liked the name so much, my plate says ROT ROD (a rusted variation of a "rat rod".

On a more personal note...

Ricers, Bikers, Musclecar people, Tricked SUV's with 20's are all OK!!!

I'm just glad someone still plays with cars!!!

We all have our own styles and preferences, look at my profile and you will see a retro 60's rally car and a retro 60's Kustom.

I like them both and thats all that matters to me.

Welcome aboard Dude. You introduce an interesting twist to the "bastardization" that happens to terminology. Like Richard says, the web makes the world more interesting.

Now, you shouldn't be so hard on the Rover V8. After all, the tooling and original production run of those engines was good ol' early '60's USA Buick!

Thanks for all the input guys! I have decided to go with the original color. It's a silver-smoke grey.I am designing a graphic for the side,I just have to decide what color will go nicely with the original.