[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Firebird 2

The 2014 Games have begun.

Day one - Gold

Cool !
Keep 'em coming.

[transam1972]

I just got done viewing the WINGS AUTO ART photos of the white SD-455..amazing!!..that is the first time I have ever viewed a series of frame off restoration photos and have seen such unbelievable workmanship!!..I can truly appreciate that level of craftsmanship/restoration now...I have always been more of the white/blue stripe cars..but after seeing a photo Rocky Rotella of HPP posted on the forum of a 71 with one of the first design smaller birds I can really dig that graphic now on the 70 to 73 body style!..I want one!..actually I think it is the white/blue bird on that body that really makes the car..the 73 to 76 bird is just more classy looking than the later designs..and a Super Duty -455 and I am certain that bird does fly!!..I am totally jealous knowing that my car can never see a restoration of that level as long as I own it...hey, someone has to leave the underbody rusty and the front engine compartment greasy so people can see a side by side before and after!!..I hope to atleast have as nice a paint job!..and the interior is such a great combo of the white deluxe and red carpet..gotta love the 70s!!..really on that car it is so damn cool!!..anyway I just want the guys who did the work to know super fantastic job, the best I have seen!..and best of luck to the owner, that's one wild & beautiful car and I appreciate the stock look as to how these cars should look..back in the day..today!!...can not wait to see photos of the next car they are doing and best of luck to the owner of that car!!

[bird72]

I guess I have mixed feelings reading this thread..... one, a great car off to a new future where it probably will not get driven much.... two, I read the melancholy between the lines of Larry's posts.... Maybe I like imperfection more than perfection, but that car looked pretty great before! Sorry if I offend, just honesty.... regardless, I hope car is future loved as Larry did, and not future commodity appreciated. Seems these cars can transcend burnin' rubber love and become stacks of gold in essence. Regardless, it is one great car , the white inside red is the best!

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by bird72

I guess I have mixed feelings reading this thread..... one, a great car off to a new future where it probably will not get driven much.... two, I read the melancholy between the lines of Larry's posts.... Maybe I like imperfection more than perfection, but that car looked pretty great before! Sorry if I offend, just honesty.... regardless, I hope car is future loved as Larry did, and not future commodity appreciated. Seems these cars can transcend burnin' rubber love and become stacks of gold in essence. Regardless, it is one great car , the white inside red is the best!

I've read this with the same thoughts you've had. The car was great just the way it was. This is the only collector hobby where re-doing something is considered the norm, antiques, paintings, other art - it's considered a crime if you restore or refinish them.

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by bird72

I guess I have mixed feelings reading this thread..... one, a great car off to a new future where it probably will not get driven much.... two, I read the melancholy between the lines of Larry's posts.... Maybe I like imperfection more than perfection, but that car looked pretty great before! Sorry if I offend, just honesty.... regardless, I hope car is future loved as Larry did, and not future commodity appreciated. Seems these cars can transcend burnin' rubber love and become stacks of gold in essence. Regardless, it is one great car , the white inside red is the best!

Yes, a great car and I had a ton of fun driving it. Sometimes I dwell on the fact that maybe I should have held on to it a little longer but then again there's that point of owning a vehicle for a long period and realize it's time to part ways and move on.
I'm certain "sellers remorse" will set in again it after seeing the car redone.

Restored to perfection or not, it's plain badazzness.

[Firebird 2]

Originally Posted by The Boss

I've read this with the same thoughts you've had. The car was great just the way it was. This is the only collector hobby where re-doing something is considered the norm, antiques, paintings, other art - it's considered a crime if you restore or refinish them.

Please keep in mind that this car has been apart and restored before so the "survivor" status is long gone. It has a number of issues (no offense Larry!!) and we felt it deserved the attention it will receive by Wing. When it's finished, the plan is to drive it....with the roof open!

[The Boss]

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it will get a perfect restoration and will be a wonderful example. Unfortunately I'm just a huge fan of cars that look like you just pulled the cover off them in your Grandfather's garage - cars that show their bruises & scars honestly. My 72 convertible will get a repaint at some point but only because the repaint it got in the 90's was the wrong shade of blue - if it wasn't for that, I'd be leaving it alone. As for a full frame off restoration, not in the cards for that one - only the cars that need major metal work for me.

[bird72]

Originally Posted by The Boss

This is the only collector hobby where re-doing something is considered the norm, antiques, paintings, other art - it's considered a crime if you restore or refinish them.

comes to mind all the 50's Les Pauls guitars worth 1/4 mil each, one would get killed for sanding one down

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Firebird 2

Please keep in mind that this car has been apart and restored before so the "survivor" status is long gone.

Correct.
There's a long story behind this and it goes way back to 1985.......... and the featured article in Musclecar Review Magazine, circa 1986.
"Collecting the 50 fastest musclecars"

[Larry Navarro]

Hey John........how 'bout an update on the progress.
Please post a couple of pics for us.
Thanks!!

[Firebird 2]

Almost there...

[njsteve]

Nice progress. Uber-clean shop too.

(But please tell them to get that hood sitting by the wall, off its "points". Those tips bend really easily.)

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Nice progress. Uber-clean shop too.

(But please tell them to get that hood sitting by the wall, off its "points". Those tips bend really easily.)

my thoughts exactly, lay it on it's side

[Firebird 2]

Originally Posted by blue71ta

my thoughts exactly, lay it on it's side

On pads...

...mini pads.

[njsteve]

Even on padding, the entire weight of the hood is concentrated on those tiny little points. No need to make extra work necessary.

Sorry for derailing the thread. Back to the progress photos please. :-)

[Firebird 2]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Even on padding, the entire weight of the hood is concentrated on those tiny little points. No need to make extra work necessary.

Sorry for derailing the thread. Back to the progress photos please. :-)

It's coming along!

[72projectbird]

Man its looking good!

[Larry Navarro]

Hey John!!!
How 'bout an update on the SD?
Any new pics on progress?
Thanks!!

[Firebird 2]

Larry

Sub-frame done, rear end done, body work done and in primer, motor should be back this month as well as the trans. All in all, going very well!!

[The Boss]

Nicely staged!