Any interest in a "correct" deck lid Posi Decal?

[Don_Lightfoot]

This started over on Team Chevelle and got my investigation side thinking. Rick Pauley (RixLS6) has provided numerous pictures of his original decal. There are currently two reproductions available, one with a date and one without. The two “font styles” used on the reproductions are not anywhere near correct – see pictures below. Granted, you would have to be fairly close to see the differences. In addition to the fonts, the overall size of the repro is not correct, nor the margins on the four sides to the printed area.

I have been making some various decals for a number of years and thought I would take a whack at this one. The two fonts used on the original are by no means common and are not available anywhere for free, obviously due to copyright issues with the original publishers. The costs to download the fonts are $24.75 for one and $279.00 for the other. Licenses for the fonts are included in those prices. Not at all practical if making a single decal for yourself.

Rick and I are thinking of going together to cover the font costs, but would like to get an idea from fellow enthusiasts as to the interest in a “correct” decal. The current reproductions cost about $3 plus shipping. We are thinking of maybe $5 plus mailing for ours. I don’t know for sure just what models and years this decal was used, but I think it would be very widespread. If we could recover enough to pay for our up-front costs then it would be a worthwhile exercise and provide an additional item as an option to a non proper repro piece. If enough get sold to give us a little beer money then that would be good also.

We are posting this to get some kind of feedback as to the benefit of such a product. Please feel free to comment. Thank you.

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149883.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149884.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149885.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149886.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149887.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149888.jpg

[Bill Rose]

Don/Rick...I'm always interested in more accurate repro products. It seems to me, that when quality products are available, they will always be in demand. With all the poor quality parts out there, I for one will always look to purchase parts, even if they cost a bit more.

[X66 714]

I would be interested also...Thanks, Joe

[mockingbird812]

Uhh, somebody has already cracked this nut (to perfection) ..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif I'll let him chime in if'n he wants to. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Salvatore]

If its correct for a 69 Z/28, I am in too.

[Mr. Chevy]

I would buy a few of them from you guys...

Rich

[Nova Research Project]

Don,

It is always good to see interest in more accurate reproductions.

I have been researching various Nova decals and labels for awhile. One thing is the font you purchase is probably not exact for each letter. I have noticed this on many labels. Inconsistent letter styles within original fonts sets. So you may need more than one or two fonts.

I have already started working on a Nova version of the posi card. I have taken a different direction. Rather that spend the money on fonts that are not 100%, I have been spending the time creating each letter exactly.

I can help out if you need. Maybe make it a yenko.net deal where some of the proceeds make it back to the site?

However you go, good luck and have fun!

Greg

[bluel78]

I will take 3 when you are finished. Dustin

[Geoff Padgett]

I would sure like to have one of those for my LS-6 car as well, but i have early built car ( mid Jan 70 ) and dont know if at all if it would make a differance. count me please, can e-mail me here to take me up on it. Thanks, Geoff.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

I would take two,one for the 70 Nova and another for a spare.

[KevinW]

I would be interested in two please http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I had the older repro which is a lot closer than the current repros. I was going to scan it and try to fix it, but it is a lot of work, but for $10 bucks, easy decision! thanks

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
Uhh, somebody has already cracked this nut (to perfection) ..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif I'll let him chime in if'n he wants to. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

.....and his paper is even close to exact and without adhesive on the back so they can be installed just like an original with contact cement.

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
I would sure like to have one of those for my LS-6 car as well....

[/ QUOTE ]

Geoff, I have one extra one and will include it with your proportioning valve which is now completely rebuilt and restored just waiting for you.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Shortly after I started this thread I received an email from a guy I know who mentioned somebody had already done a very good reproduction. This was also confirmed in an early post here. One of the persons involved in that has now contacted me and has offered to send me one of theirs for comparison purposes. Very nice gesture on his part. He further mentioned he does not really market his to any extent. I certainly don't want to cut his grass on this and will likely communicate further with him.

About the only thing we would be doing differently is to offer the decal in two configurations - plain paper like original where you add the glue AND one with peel off backing for ease of application. Anyway, things are on the back burner as it stands right now. Thank you to those that expressed interest, it was appreciated.

GREG - your concept certainly sounds interesting and challenging. I will likely be in touch with you to get some insight on your approach.

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
One of the persons involved in that has now contacted me and has offered to send me one of theirs for comparison purposes. Very nice gesture on his part.

[/ QUOTE ]

Theres the dead giveaway to who it is...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

If my camera download was not on the fritz I would show a picture of it on here. EXACTLY perfect in every detail.

[Xplantdad]

Ohhh...I know, I know! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[wheelhop]

count me in for 2 for whomever is marketing them.

[Tommy]

I would like to purchase 4 of them when they are ready. 2 for now and 2 for future projects http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif.


Tommy http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[CC Rider]

I'd like two.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Thanks to a guy I know who works for a Graphic Designer I was able to get the fonts for no charge. They are extremely close to the original Rick has. Only a few letters may need to be adjusted. Rick has already provided me with some feedback in comparison to his original and perhaps he will jump in here as well.

Pictured below is a scan of the latest draft I have done (scan is larger than actual size). Colour is not finalized as yet, but it is the easiest thing to adjust. The small print at the bottom is virtually dead on. A few letters in the large print probably need some alterations – primarily A, C, G, M, and W. For example, I have already condensed horizontally the C in the word Caution bringing it more in line with the original. The C’s in the other large text have not been changed as yet.

I am not 100% sure of the spacing and alignment just yet. This will be able to be confirmed once I receive a copy of the one being sent to me by the “mystery man”. Special thanks to him.

Unfortunately the one thing I will not be able to adjust will be the underlines. There should be a little more space between the underline and the text. I do not have any software to accomplish that task.

This will not be marketed in the true sense of the word. I do not want to cut the grass of the guy in Florida who is marketing these, nor our “mystery man” who provides some to others as a gesture. It will be approached based on Greg’s earlier suggestion about a donation to SYC. If I can get it close enough to satisfy myself (perhaps others may not be satisfied – can’t win them all I guess) then I will likely sell them for about $5 including mailing to members on here (so many have already expressed interest) with $2 going to SYC. If I get them professionally printed then that price may go up a buck or two. We are still a ways away from a final draft. If SYC feel all this is inappropriate then I will basically do one for myself.

So, why am I doing this and putting so much time into it? I enjoy fiddling with this stuff and try to help the hobby in my own little way I guess. I also detest incorrect reproductions. Mine may not end up to be a perfect match, but it should be very, very close.

Fire away gang, let me know what you think. Appreciate it

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115440302.jpg

[Plowman]

I like it. Put me down for some[5 or 6].

[Rixls6]

The only thing I see in addition to moving the underlining down a bit, that needs any real adjustment, would be to shrink the white triangle in the "A"'s

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Fire away gang, let me know what you think.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[SS427]

You already know what I think as they are on four of our cars so far.

[oboym]

I will take two.

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
The only thing I see in addition to moving the underlining down a bit, that needs any real adjustment, would be to shrink the white triangle in the "A"'s

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes Rick, the "A" was one of the letters I noted for the exact reason you mention. You have good eyes pal. I've been doodling with that "A" a little bit for a couple of days and below is the sdjustment I have made. That's as close as I can get that "space".

I actually don't see a need to adjust the "C" after looking at these.

No way I will be able to adjust the underline with the software I have. It is what it is.

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115469792.jpg

[KevinW]

Don, after seeing your comparision pics, I am now wondering what I have. Here is a pic of my posi label. I bought this back in the 80s. It is a peel-off adhesive type with Brown-Bridge strip-tac words on the back. This is the one I scanned and was going to try to copy, but the background is off white and needs to be cleaned up.

The A and the C look to me as a perfect match for the originals.

http://www.fototime.com/C9EE90787BF24CF/standard.jpg

[Don_Lightfoot]

Yours appears to be dead on Kevin.

[KevinW]

Thanks Don. Maybe I will try to copy it again.

[Don_Lightfoot]

I’ve done some fine tuning on this and feel like this is as good as it’s going to get. This included the vertical alignment of the starting and ending letters for each word to the lines above and below. Spacing between the words was also customized as they are by no means uniform. Specific letters needed to be adjusted as well. All this was done in comparison to the original picture provided by Rick Pauley. Further assistance was provided from copies sent to me done by the “mystery man”. Again, I am unfortunately unable to adjust the “underline” with the software I have.

The background colour is a very light “off-White” like the original. The main large wording is about 1/16 inch wider than Rick’s original. Line spacing and margin spacing is virtually dead on to the original.

There must have been so many of these made over the years. The one on my car has obviously been on there a long time as it was there when I bought it nine years ago. The decal on my car does not have the date, fonts are all wrong, alignment is not right and the corners are rounded. I have been asked if this decal could be done without a date and that is certainly not a problem.

I can print these myself, but all I have are inkjet printers. I’m afraid the ink would just not be durable enough (EG – should you wipe a wet rag over it). I seal clear vinyl over other decals I make, but that would not look right. As a result, I will need to approach a printer to get these done the way they should be. The original “non glued” decals have a very unique paper which hopefully a printer can replicate (thanks again to the “mystery man” for a sample). Perhaps the printer can do something about the underline as well.

So, here is where we are now. Comparisons are again pictured below. Comments welcome.

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149890.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115149889.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115636641.jpg

[Steven J]

I'll take two when they are ready to go.

[ORIGLS6]

Don,
I've seen a number of variations in the weight of the fonts along the bottom. Verne Frantz's original label and Sam Griffith's original show the differences quite obvious. I even checked out a couple more at the Gibb Show this weekend.
Again I say, these things were furnished to GM over a number of years and likely came from a number of different vendors (or maybe printed in the individual assembly plants ???) so who's gonna be the "expert" to stand up and say "They should ALL be EXACTLY alike!!!" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

I'd give your version a 99% approval rating! GO FOR IT! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[m22mike]

[ QUOTE ]

so who's gonna be the "expert" to stand up and say "They should ALL be EXACTLY alike!!!" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif Very well stated Mr Cumby http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
That profound statment my apply to some other "stuff" too. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Donnie]

Don,
ill take 5. can I pay with beer cans?

[1969grb]

Mike, I think it does apply to "other stuff" !!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
Grady http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
Don,
ill take 5. can I pay with beer cans?

[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, ah - so that was you I was cursing at 7:00 AM at our Club's Chevelle Show http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Normally nobody stayed up later than me at the nightly Bench Racing Session, but I guess I wasn't out in the parking lot late enough for this one. Was that payback for me embarrassing you on stage during the awards ceremony a few years earlier http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Actually, I don't think you were there the year they did it to the car Donnie, maybe you are referring to the truck in an earlier year http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115702561.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115703345.jpg

[Xplantdad]

Too funny Don! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

People seem to have a thing with you car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
People seem to have a thing with you car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Ain't that the truth Bruce http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

DENNIS - thanks for your above comments and ongoing input http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Don,
Looks good,but the only thing i found wrong was the letter (A) in caution.The center on the (A) needs to be a little smaller if possible.

[Don_Lightfoot]

True Mark. The "A" was one of the letters I had issues with. I was going back and forth with different fonts. I forgot to put the "A" in CAUTION back to the appropriate font before I printed that draft and took that picture. I noticed it after I posted the picture on here.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Here it is Mark

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115733453.jpg

[Jonesy]

I think the periods after the words PARK and MANUAL need to be bigger. Otherwise looks great.

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the periods after the words PARK and MANUAL need to be bigger. Otherwise looks great.

[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting observation Mike, thanks. Easy fix. The other two "periods" on the original appear smaller http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[SSRSBOB]

There are some NOS posi decals floating around that came out of the Kansas City plant.

Bob

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

[ QUOTE ]
Here it is Mark
http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/115733453.jpg

[/ QUOTE ] Much better Don!!

[Don_Lightfoot]

Went to the printer this morning. Should have some samples in a couple of days.

[Barefoot Dave]

Doesn't "Pacecar Jeff" already have a perfect reproduction available?

http://broachbuster.com/id36.htm

[Don_Lightfoot]

Yes Dave, we were aware of his product (refer to my post of July 27 on page 2). Our approach is a little different in that it will be a revenue sharing project.

[Don_Lightfoot]

The printer has been dealing with some of the same font problems all week - the A's and the small print at the bottom. They got it resolved and I just reviewed the final drafts which came out as presented to them. Should have a supply next week.

[Rixls6]

That's great news Don.
Look forward to see them.

[Don_Lightfoot]

What's that saying - "One step forward and two steps back". That's what the printer is doing to me here. I don't understand why they can't get it right. They wanted it in PDF format which is what they got and I even gave them the special font files. Continuous problems with the A's and the small print at the bottom.

I'm now going to deal with a long distance friend who runs a printing shop. Time frame will be longer as he will likely need to mail me a sample to make sure all is good.

[Don_Lightfoot]

My printer friend nailed it right out of the box. No issues at all from what was provided to him. Here is a copy I just received in the mail. We plan to meet at a car event on Labour Day weekend and he will have my supply for me then. Stay tuned for information after that weekend.

http://www.pbase.com/don_lightfoot/image/116503784.jpg

[PaulK]

I could use a couple decals when you get them!
Thanks

[lzdick]

That old Chevelle has a tendency to attract 'things' late in the evening. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

http://usera.ImageCave.com/lzdick/Don Lightfoot RIP.jpg

http://usera.ImageCave.com/lzdick/yyy 139.jpg

[Don_Lightfoot]

Just won't let a guy die peacefully, will you Rich http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Don_Lightfoot]

Printed copies of the decal are now available. Go to "Parts for Sale" forum for details.