Respray costs

[johnnyj]

Hi everyone and apologies for the gap between posts.

I am finally in a position, almost a year later, to send my bog-standard UK-spec TR7 FHC off to be painted. Yippee! Found a body shop partner with whom I feel very comfortable so it is all systems go.

I need some help, however, as the re-spray has to be exactly right.To help me achieve that and guide the painters, I am looking for original BL launch photos of the '77 year UK model FHC, so that the guys can replicate it. In particular where the black paint on the sills comes to, vertically. Likewise the rear lower sill panels.

Also, and this is perhaps a bit of a debate:
- I need to know if my car had a black rear lamp panel originally;
- likewise the early black small wheel trims or the slightly later silver ones

Date of build is 22 March 1977 with date of delivery 4 April 1977. Chassis is #17857. The paint code is CAD, Flamenco.

Thanks guys and gals, hope you can help.

John

[John_C]

Is that ACG17857? If so, you have the check trim, coloured carpets, full width wheel trim model.

Black paint is on the rear light cluster panel. Sills have some sort of anti-stone chip matt black protection on them but it doesn't really matter what you use as long as the sills are black (the cars look too bulbous from the side without it) and this goes up to just above the weather strip. The front spoiler should be the same colour as the car but many people stone chip this as it does get a beating. Mine is stone chip protected but painted over which is probably the best compromise.

[johnnyj]

Thank you John, that is so useful. Now I know!

Much appreciated

John

[Beans]

The sills should be black up to a line through the sill trim mounting holes ...



Rear valance should be black up to the lower line of the rear wing. So including the recessed line just above the rear valance
Becomes clear when you paint the bottom of the car black. But I am no fan of that so I kept it orange

[John_C]

That TR7 shell looks fabulous in stripped out form Beans. The black sills really do make it look so sleak. Could be worth re-thinking the single colour perhaps. A great photo!

[Beans]

Thanks John!

... Could be worth re-thinking the single colour perhaps ...

I guess you mean painting the underside of the car black?
I have thought about it (and some 10 years ago when I restored the DHC) but I like it better this way.
But than that is of course a matter of taste, and as such very personal

[johnnyj]

Hi folks

By way of a quick update, the car has now gone off to be taken back to bare metal, re-skimmed and then painted. All that work in filling and priming the car was kind-of for nothing, but it gave me good experience. In the end nature won through, as I just couldn't stop the rust pin-holes coming up through the primer. I couldn't get the top coat done in time and was fighting a losing battle with the elements. So, we take a step back in order to go forward!

Been away around 3 weeks now. Can't wait to get it back again.

John