Hi All, 5s444 is finally ready to go to the paint shop for the Lemans stripes and the side stripes. I have found in the 2019 edition of the 1965 registry the diagram on page 20 showing how the stripes taper. However, the diagram is not as clear as I would like. Is there a better diagram on the Forum, or at the SAAC website somewhere as I have searched and couldn't find any diagram. Since the page 20 diagram is pretty clear on the overhead sketch, my questions are about the dimensions on the lower grill support, stone guard, and valance... As well as the rear taillight panel and valance. Any help with a better diagram or specifics would be appreciated, as I want to get this right the first time. Thanks, and with my recent retirement, this project is well underway. Mark
IIRC, this is what my painter used to paint my car. Maybe others can validate these dimensions or provide a better diagram.
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/245-190425171154.jpeg)
Quote from: doublemyv on April 19, 2025, 02:22:45 PMHi All, 5s444 is finally ready to go to the paint shop for the Lemans stripes and the side stripes. I have found in the 2019 edition of the 1965 registry the diagram on page 20 showing how the stripes taper. However, the diagram is not as clear as I would like. Is there a better diagram on the Forum, or at the SAAC website somewhere as I have searched and couldn't find any diagram. Since the page 20 diagram is pretty clear on the overhead sketch, my questions are about the dimensions on the lower grill support, stone guard, and valance... As well as the rear taillight panel and valance. Any help with a better diagram or specifics would be appreciated, as I want to get this right the first time. Thanks, and with my recent retirement, this project is well underway. Mark
Mark,
That diagram shows the front of the hood and valance are 9-1/4" so I assume everything in between is also 9-1/4". There's a mistake in the diagram, the lower right car is shown from the front but should be from the rear as those measurements are from the rear. The 2019 1966 Registry diagram also has this same error but all the other Registries I have show it correctly.
Dave
Thanks guys, After much research, I think we have the definitive answer, and the diagrams in the 1997 Shelby American World Registry were helpful. I did notice that the diagram in the later registry had the error in showing the front of the car twice. So, here's my next question: How much weight (lead shot ankle weight bags)
should I add to the inside of each door to simulate the completed door assembly weight ? The window regulator, and glass, windwing, handles, and door card probably weigh more than I think. Maybe 15 pounds ??? Anyone have a recommendation ? I can add that weight so that the side stripes are consistent from the front fender, through the bottom of the door, and onto the bottom of the rear quarter panel. Thanks, Mark
Quote from: doublemyv on May 07, 2025, 12:39:55 PM.....I can add that weight so that the side stripes are consistent from the front fender, through the bottom of the door, and onto the bottom of the rear quarter panel. Thanks, Mark
Don't paint the side stripes until the doors and installed and adjusted for the last time.
Quote from: doublemyv on May 07, 2025, 12:39:55 PMThanks guys, After much research, I think we have the definitive answer, and the diagrams in the 1997 Shelby American World Registry were helpful. I did notice that the diagram in the later registry had the error in showing the front of the car twice. So, here's my next question: How much weight (lead shot ankle weight bags)
should I add to the inside of each door to simulate the completed door assembly weight ? The window regulator, and glass, windwing, handles, and door card probably weigh more than I think. Maybe 15 pounds ??? Anyone have a recommendation ? I can add that weight so that the side stripes are consistent from the front fender, through the bottom of the door, and onto the bottom of the rear quarter panel. Thanks, Mark
My recommendation is to wait until the car is all but completely done before painting the side stripes . Guessing on how much weight to add to the doors and then adjusting them etc. is a recipe for disaster. If painting the stripes on a completed car was the way Shelby American did it then why mess with was success.
Waiting will also give you the opportunity, if you choose, to restore this detail by following how Shelby did it with the oversprays and other little details that you won't get typically painted before the car is fully assembled. Of course most painters will see this as being "messy" or some other negative remark but your likely not buildign a World of Wheels car in the end. Same thing for the Lemans stripes ;)
Just a thought if your going to fully restore the car
The door guts weight about 40-45lbs, but it would be wise to follow other's advice to wait and do the side stripes last (lemans and side). That's how SA did it originally.
Quote from: J_Speegle on May 07, 2025, 05:24:22 PMWaiting will also give you the opportunity, if you choose, to restore this detail by following how Shelby did it with the oversprays and other little details that you won't get typically painted before the car is fully assembled. Of course most painters will see this as being "messy" or some other negative remark but your likely not buildign a World of Wheels car in the end. Same thing for the Lemans stripes ;)
Just a thought if your going to fully restore the car
That's such good advice and something I wouldn't have thought to do.
I'll definitely hold off until assembly is complete when the time comes
Thanks
Thanks everyone, great advice from all the experts. When Jeff Speegle saw this car prior to paint, he was invaluable with the details of sound deadener, red oxide, black, Wimbledon White, oversprays in certain areas, and much more.
I realize that you are all correct to wait, but since the car's exterior is built, gapped, and my contact at the bodyshop that does the painting for me is ready to retire, I'm compelled to get the side & Lemans stripes done by this shop sooner than later.
I intend to pay special attention to Jeff's guidance on the oversprays and details, and not attempt to over restore the car. Check out the photos of the progress so far and let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Mark
Looking good Mark. The goal is to make the car look and feel IMO like a new one and not a life size model of the car. If that takes place they tend to look like carbon copies of each other. Kind of like capturing magic in a bottle but it can and has been done by some.
You've gone to a lot of effort and its great to see that you're following through with the plan.
Well, we just unmasked the car 6/12/25 after spraying the Guardsman Blue on the Lemans stripes and the door stripes. It all turned out the way I planned. My goal was to replicate the way 'ol Shel painted the cars at the LA Airport. We assembled the car complete with the plastic license plate mounting screw receptacles on each end, measured about 1000 times, laid out miles of tape, removed miles of tape and re-laid tape to what looked right even if it didn't measure exactly right to the 1/16", and painted to have the stripes, and various oversprays on to weatherstripping, inside the hood scoop, behind the bumpers/stone guard/grill support, etc. etc. etc. It all came out as a correct/imperfect replica of the way the stripes were done in 1965 down to the hard edge of the stripes on top of the wimbledon white, and nothing is buried in layers of clear coat that could be cut & buffed to a glass finish. We will let this cure, and do a light cleanup of the whole car in the next 30 days at the body shop, and then proceed on the rest of the build. Finally, there's light at the end of the tunnel on this restoration. Mark