Topic: Paint mark question for Metuchen Mach One

[DaveF]

I am in the process of restoring my 1970 R code. While I have spent a fair share of time trying to duplicate marks as they are shown on my build sheet, I was wondering if Jeff or one of the other experts could tell me some of the marks that you would expect to see on a Metuchen car like mine? I will try to attach my Marti report for more reference.

[J_Speegle]

As a word of warning or at least concern up front. If your car does not have all the right parts or not restored fully paint marks will not make a difference. Not suggesting that this applies since we've not seen the vehicle but sort of a general statement we often include in discussions about adding paint markings. Adding paint markings to incorrectly restored or just incorrect parts will only draw extra attention to this choice and IMO is just silly and can speak volumes to the viewer.

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So you have the buildsheet for your car so you have the shock, springs (front and rear), one of the transmission markings, driveshaft and possibly another half dozen markings used originally on your car. 

Guessing that your car is together and painted so some marks would be very difficult to add at this point.

Since you have a four speed I guess that you have already read the article in the library on typical paint marks used on 4 speeds.  Is that correct? Scanning over the article on general paint marks in there also if you haven't seen that one also.

Your post does not include if your car had power steering as that option makes a difference on about half a dozen markings.

Another consideration is that since some of the parts (subassemblies made not at the car plant) that made up your car would be the same as those built at the other two plants if they were ordered with the same options around the same time period. So engines, transmissions and rearend will in general share the same basic markings and sometimes get some additional ones from the specific auto assembly plant - in your example Metuchen.

A complete list of all the basic/standard paint marks is pretty long. Off of the top of my head I just came up with 50. This would include paint marks as well as paper identifiers, stamps, daubs and free hand writing.

For the low hanging and some what easy ones have you read:

- the post on the taillight housing marks?

- The 1970 axle housing markings thread?

- My posting of markings on a 70 CJ engine. Believe its located under the Cougar heading just because what they were found on for my post but they do come up in the use of 70 paint marks in the search engine on this site. Some of the markings are also shown in a thread named something like 70 head inspection markings

- 1970 tie rod marks

If your going down this route of putting paint marks on the car also pay attention to how and where they were replaced since color is only one part of reproducing the original look.

In reading different posts here please don't just apply because one marking has been documented on one example.


Well that is a start. Will try and post some marks in the days to follow. Putting together a full list takes about 6-8 hours and often there are other priorities that can pull away my attention. Just depends on the day or week 

[DaveF]

Thanks Jeff, I am applying paint marks very sparingly. I?m trying to stick with the ones that I know are correct. I know that you have posted many times, how important it is that they be authentic and not copied from other cars. Most of the ones that I have used were verified by the build sheet. The car does have power steering as well as power brakes. It?s a drag Pak so it has no air.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff, I am applying paint marks very sparingly. I?m trying to stick with the ones that I know are correct. I know that you have posted many times, how important it is that they be authentic and not copied from other cars. .............

For the purposes of restoration most classes at venues don't require paint marks but will deduct for incorrect (color, placement and type of application) details just  as can be anticipated for any other details.  The specific car with documentation of the markings is our first choice followed by those compelled to apply more on a car that may have already been restored or repaired prior to the current restoration when using not one or two similar cars but a small sampling of cars with the same options (for marks where that matters) plant (for other marks) and production period.

Where some/many get in trouble IMO is when they "borrow" markings from other years, plants, models and so on thinking no one will know the difference. Other than opening themselves up to criticism they also run a great risk that someone else with a similar car (or maybe not even close)  will just copy their poor choices because they believe that the owner know more than them.

Way too many stories and way too many examples and if you bring the subject up you can see it in their eyes when you offer that (for example) a particular inspector that they choose to use didn't work at the plant that built their car. As mentioned earlier you need to feel comfortable about how far you choose to go since you are the one that will need to explain if asked and at the same time feel comfortable with others possibly seeing and believing you knew what you were doing just like any other detail on your car if seen at a show, in an article or for sale. 

I went as far as making some small magnetic signs to place on some of my non-restored non-original cars when I take them to a show or gathering that basically states "Don't Copy Details from This Car It's Not 100% Correct" Just being honest and direct since most will only look but will not ask about details so I could explain what to ignore.

[DaveF]

Thanks. I appreciate it.