Thanks guys - I appreciate your opinions.
My brief is to restore a SS hatchback and not to build an A9X tribute - absolutely no issues with those that have - none at all.
The decision to go flared or not was largely made by my purchasing a car with cut guards - a decision made on my behalf by the previous owner and to be absolutely honest, I was always aspired to own a flared Palais white hatchback such was my love affair with them following an article I read in my grandfather's Wheels Magazine ('Long Live the Supercar' was the title) in the late 70's - the one that compared an A9X against a HG 350 GTS Monaro when discussing the subject of 'modern day' muscle cars versus old ones - I was all but 10 years old but it made such a significant impression on me that 30+ years later I find myself restoring a Torana hatchback. Remember it was only very, very recently I learned a few of the cues to discern an A9X from an SS and so to me prior to late 2010 - a hatchback was a hatchback. Heck I didn't even know only an A9X had flairs let alone the wheel, paint, exterior combinations that differentiate it from an SS to look at!
Regardless, I bought this SS hatchback that was originally green, and despite my leaning towards Palais white initially and after some cajoling from RedSlur I decided to go with the original Mint Julep colour. Having seen your pic Sting I am questioning this decision a little...
Alas, I have warmed and warmed to the idea of restoring it to what it once was, an SS - despite the flairs, spoilers and bonnet scoop - I guess I am guilty of wanting the best of both worlds - so be it. Notwithstanding the A9X body kit, I want it to be an SS all the way - I love painted bumpers as opposed to chrome ones and God only knows the cost of chroming bumpers nowadays requires mortgaging one's children in any case.
So, despite your clearly well informed and best intentions in dissuading me otherwise, I think I will retain the black coloured bum and I am happy to wear the jibes that follow. Sort of like my VE Commodore SSV - I got the 'track stripes' from factory and have withstood many a terse comment as to the same - in the end, it is what floats my boat.
Again, I genuinely appreciate your opinions and efforts in telling me the same, but think I will blaze my own trail on this one regardless - if it looks odd, weird, or uncool as it has been termed then be it on my head - not like I wasn't forewarned is it!
Back to my car's restoration; The speed filing and re-priming commenced yesterday with the driver's door and front guard being completed - here is a pic of the door upon being removed following speed filing and then given its last coats of primer. Got to love paint when it is still wet - Dave has done fantastic work on my car - full credit to him and him alone;
And so again, if anyone has some pics of a genuine SS scheme sans bumper that shows what happens with the rear black-out for;
a. the area behind the rear bumper - does the line continue straight down from the tail-lights to the 3" wide blackout running parallel to the bottom of the rear quarter?
b. is the base of the beaver (below the rego plate) painted in black or body colour (I think it is)?
c. how does the paint scheme go at the top of the rear beaver/apron that is covered by the hatch when closed?
I'd very much appreciate the same as I want to get this right for a SS scheme.
Finally, to Sting; what are the wheel widths (front and rear) in that pic you posted? I love it - just what I want to achieve - oh having to save up for new Hotwires will so be worth it!
Cheers, TB
Edited by Tyre biter, 10 August 2011 - 08:17 PM.
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