1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

This is my brother's car my dad is restoring and I guess I am going to paint it.

Numbers matching car he bought in the late 80's to replace his 73 LT/Z28 which was bought new at Stott Chevrolet in Tryon NC. - Quain Stott is a current IHRA pro mod guy. (Stott also sponsored Jim Little's ZL1 powered 70 Camaro formerly owned by our own Kim Howie)

anyway here are some pics...

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/48...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/46...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/48...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/26...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/49...500x500Q85.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Most would kill to start with a car this SOLID...

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/49...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/48...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/49...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/26...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/48...500x500Q85.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Nice solid dry car. Congrats to your bro. Keep us posted!

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Some details...

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/40...500x500Q85.jpg

G marking on Rear end.
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/25...500x500Q85.jpg

Z28 only front A-arm bump stop.

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/46...500x500Q85.jpg


NOS front tie rods and center link I picked up YEARS AGO for nothing...

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/49...500x500Q85.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Nice! Gotta love that red oxide, dipped primer and non rusty metal. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

I think he is going to go your route Steve, have the kids do the paint marks.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

I think the same G was found on another 73 F body. I dont know if it was a real real low miles Camaro or a Trans Am. It would be interesting to see if that letter varied based on what was in the rear.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Any more updates on the 1973 RS/LT-Z/28 4speed? These have always been one of my favorites.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Neat car James.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...6.2012_027.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...6.2012_025.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...7.2012_191.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...7.2012_194.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...7.2012_189.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...7.2012_195.jpg

The car was VERY solid however two blocked drains caused rust through on the rear of front drivers fender below the lower trim and a half dollar sized hole in the pass rear quarter which turned out to be very thin about 6 inches out so my dad replaced the pass lower rear quarter and trunk drop off. I fabbed a patch for one the fender and welded up holes from an old slide hammer pulling party on the pass door but that is about the extent of the metal work required.

It's been mostly just the grunt work, stripping, light blasting, prepping the sheet metal, priming, and blocking...
The car is in full prime now and I am going to block it with 320 to make sure it is flat, seam seal it, one coat of epoxy sealer and then base clear.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

My brother was fortunate in picking this one up, his first 73 Z28 was totalled in a freak accident. t-boned while in a parking lot at my brothers work put the pass door almost to the console. My brother was in working, he freaked out and all this while my parents were in Hershey for the fall AACA meet.

This is actually a better car being a Born with Engine 4 spd RS LT Z28.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] neat story!

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

The day we brought the first one home, this was the car bought new from Stott Chevrolet I found it in 1986-1987 paid $450 ORIGINAL PAINT...
original engine had been replaced with a 75 model 350 and missing the Z28 wheels.

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...61251592_o.jpg

After we stripped and painted the car... not too much else other than exhaust, Z28 wheels and tires.

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...87254209_o.jpg

Right after the car was painted, the LT trim breaking the black and blue wasn't even installed.

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...63908337_o.jpg

AFTER the CARNAGE!!!!

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...51031442_o.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Enough about the old one... back to the current Gold over Parchment car...

This is what it looked like when we bought the Gold car in 1989-1990 paid 5 times what we did for the first one!
Saw it at the Charlotte NC Fall show at the fairgrounds and ended up buying it the next week.

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...15951262_o.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

In my honest opinion those 1970 to 1973 Camaro's look way better as an RS model.

To me thats going to be an upgrade over the blue one you used to have.
Good luck with the resto. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

By the way who owned that RS Z28 1969 car pictured in the back ground or who has it now?

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Yes the Gold car is an upgrade RS numbers 4 spd, D80. The blue was a non matching auto without spoilers, but a better color IMHO.
I kinda like the no stripe look that came when ordering the LT. It is much stealthier, especially since the side markings just say Camaro 350.

The 69 belongs to a friend, yes he still has it.
His father had a wrecking yard with nothing but 55-57 Chevrolets, 67-73 Camaro's and 64-72 Chevelles. He also sold and stocked GM sheetmetal for the early cars in the 80's-90's. We would pay $125 for NOS 67-69 Fenders, $175 for 67-69 Quarters and $75 for 2nd Gen fenders all in the GM boxes...
Wish I had a time machine that was the size of a COSCO ship.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...6.2012_092.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...6.2012_099.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Excellent car to restore and it looks like you are making some very good progress! I happen to be very partial to these cars and am (very slowly) trying to finish the frame off on my own 73 RS/LT Z/28 4 speed with A/C - Silver with Black interior.

When you get around to restoring the frame hose clamps (like the green one you showed a picture of), here's some info that may be helpful. After a fair amount of searching, I ran across some paint that matched the color of my original hose clamps exactly - Rustoleum American Accents - Summer Squash and Seaside Green. These paints were purchased at Orchard Hardware Supply a few years ago, so they may or may not still be available.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...lippaints1.jpg

Here's a couple pics of my project (hopefully I get this to work correctly) to give you some inspiration on yours (and maybe prompt me to get off my butt and make some more progress on mine). <span style="font-weight: bold">Keep up the good work!</span>

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...fuellines1.jpg

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...undertrunk.jpg

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...fffromback.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Charles, good going! Those belly shots looks great.

I'm sure James will use them as inspiration

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

No doubt, thanks for the color matches on the clips.
The belly pan shots look awesome.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

When color matching clips, primers, inspection marks etc I use a set of PANTONE color chips as a standard. Pantone Matching books are available worldwide as the printing/graphic arts industry uses them religiously. If you have ever picked out colors for a business card at a commercial printer... you've used it.

The RED-BROWN primer...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...rs%2520047.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...rs%2520056.jpg

New sub frame bushings and cushions, Double checking everything for panel alignment....

After I get my alignments I mic the shim packs and write the figure down on a copy of the assembly manual page that has fender attachments.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...0206131745.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...0206131748.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x...206131747a.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...206131746a.jpg

I'm waiting on the NOS urethane nose to check everything then we are going to give her some color...

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

sweet! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

For a guy who is a &quot;first-gen-addict&quot; you sure are passionate about 2nd gens. Great work James. Looking good. I like your attention to detail. Dennis Cumby turned me on to Pantone chips when I was looking for the correct color on my Ansen scattershield form my '70 Nova. Good stuff! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For a guy who is a &quot;first-gen-addict&quot; you sure are passionate about 2nd gens. Great work James. Looking good. I like your attention to detail. Dennis Cumby turned me on to Pantone chips when I was looking for the correct color on my Ansen scattershield form my '70 Nova. Good stuff! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] </div></div>

It takes a NICE 2nd gen to get me interested as we drove/raced/wrecked these in high school and parted out real Z's nicer than the 6 cyl cars guys start with now.

Was going through parts and found a bunch of trim rings...
We also picked up a set of embossed bowtie NOS center caps.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3...07%2520015.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...07%2520011.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Going through boxes of parts that have been collected over the years...

NOS Bowtie Center caps --2 Different styles-
I have 5 raised logo lighter blue centers &amp; 4 of the Dark Blue Flat centers.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...sed_1later.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T..._flatright.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7...go_1989box.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V...go_1984box.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...raisedleft.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...logodetail.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...terprofile.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...ogo_detail.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F...terprofile.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z...le_detail2.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

<span style="font-weight: bold">NOS Upper Radiator Hose
Z28 and HD Cooling ONLY</span>

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...15%2520409.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

JACKPOT!
NOS RS Nose

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T...0215131543.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...25281%2529.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

WHOA... James, please keep the pics coming!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: firstgenaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JACKPOT!
NOS RS Nose

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T...0215131543.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...25281%2529.jpg </div></div>

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

More Progress...
The ruddybrown primer to mimic the bath which the car shells were dipped in prior to color coats.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/100_3355.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z...o/100_3348.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/100_3347.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W...o/100_3362.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--...o/100_3363.JPG
Seam sealing the floors and other hidden places

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...o/100_3371.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P...o/100_3372.JPG

Black Flowcoat primer for the remainder of the body panels.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...o/100_3377.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--...o/100_3374.JPG

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

My brother is the best.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Great update, coming along nicely! Gold over parchment will be KILLER! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gold over parchment will be KILLER! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]</div></div>

x2! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

CODE 60 oversprays...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...o/100_3558.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/100_3561.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...o/100_3617.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z...o/100_3618.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...o/100_3620.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/100_3550.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o...o/100B3530.JPG

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

As a former 73 Z28 owner (bought new and kept it for 27 yrs) I am looking forward to subsequent updates [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

Excellent progress! I'm enjoying the action photos...

On my '73, the rear fenderwells were a little tricky to figure out the painting sequence. First layer was primer, then body color of course (which got completely covered over on my car), then a blackout layer from the lower rocker blackout paint, then the undercoating. It took a long time to slowly strip the car to see how they did mine.

My interior had minumal overspray, so I tried to copy what they did.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-p1010012.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics..._wheelwell.jpg



Keep up the good work! Charlie (hope I got this picture thing working right)

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

The silver is gorgeous...

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

The color match on the original Light Copper Metallic has been a bear.
After getting it pretty close I got some metallic tints and spent a few hours with a gram scale getting the proportions VERY close.
What do you guys think?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L...0_Sprayout.jpg

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

That looks pretty much spot on; nice job and you must have the patience of a saint.

Re: 1973 RS/LT/Z28 4spd - Gold/Parchment Restoration
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That looks pretty much spot on; nice job and you must have the patience of a saint. </div></div>

I have been asking for patience for many years... maybe I have finally achieved some level of it.