914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

[defianty]

Well I went back to see the car several times and the colour just didn't work for me. I knew that if I was going to be happy with the car I had to make the change now or regret it later.

For those that know me will know that for a long time I was going to paint the car silver, I actually don't remember why I decided now to stay with Light Ivory, probably originality guilt trip? I'm not sure. I even posted an illustration I did of a possible livery design on a SILVER car here several months ago.

This is a picture of a US car I've admired for years. I love the clean subtle look of it. I messaged the owner recently and he confirmed the colour to be the late 75-76 914 Silver, L97A Diamond Silver Metallic.



Today when I arrived at the painters this was waiting for me for testing.



Straight away after seeing the test cards I knew I had it right this time.

Word of advice if you're not 100% sure on your colour of choice, don't paint half of your car in that colour! Oh, and don't listen to your 'friends' who call silver boring. Even if they're probably a little bit right. But, it's my car...

[chief]

Just read this on 914 World. I had to come over here just to check it was true....
It is!
So now I’ve processed it, thought about it, seen a silver one very close up (LMR’s beauty) I’m onboard.
Stephen, I tip my hat to you fella. If it ain’t right it ain’t right!

[911hillclimber]

IMHO, that silver looks very good.
Colour choice is 'follow the heart' imho, what I did 30 years ago and just 3 months ago too, same colour, no regrets, and not original to say the least.

Best of luck with the change.
Graham.

[jjeffries]

Stephen, I've been following your project and when you expressed ambivalence at the ivory, I was thinking "paint it silver!". And the silver you've chosen is one of the best. Good call. John

[defianty]

Just read this on 914 World. I had to come over here just to check it was true....
It is!
So now I’ve processed it, thought about it, seen a silver one very close up (LMR’s beauty) I’m onboard.
Stephen, I tip my hat to you fella. If it ain’t right it ain’t right!

Oh yeah it's true I have an empty bank account to prove it!

IMHO, that silver looks very good.
Colour choice is 'follow the heart' imho, what I did 30 years ago and just 3 months ago too, same colour, no regrets, and not original to say the least.

Best of luck with the change.
Graham.

Thanks Graham.

Stephen, I've been following your project and when you expressed ambivalence at the ivory, I was thinking "paint it silver!". And the silver you've chosen is one of the best. Good call. John

You should have spoken up louder John , thanks for the comment.

[rhd racer]

Like the silver Stephen, good choice (and that is from a Sepia lover, a colour I painted my Beetle about 20 years ago).

Not seen a silver GT car before, think it wears it well. The other advantage of silver is that it lends itself to contrasting graphic colours really well. Come to think of it, a half and half factory-esqe bumper treatment in black/viper or black/gulf orange would work well

Cheers
Wayne

[defianty]

With my self inflicted colour anguish over I could get back to finishing off a few other details.

I had a rummage in the loft though my parts and came across my heater controls and decided a make over was in order.



Closer inspection revealed the was certainly room for improvement.



Careful rub down with sandpaper to smooth the surface and then mask.



Reassembled after a lick of satin black.



Finishing off the red and blue details.

[Gary71]

Hope the colour works out second time around!

Nice work on the heater controls

[210bhp]

Nice work and masking on the heater control.
Do both bulbs work?

Regards
Mike

[defianty]

Nice work and masking on the heater control.
Do both bulbs work?

Regards
Mike

I need to take a closer look at my loom in that area as the heater control panel has four bulb holder positions but I only have two bulbs on the loom. It does however look as if another two bulbs have been grafted on with a bit of speaker wire, certainly not factory.

Although I'm very pleased with how the controls have turned out, both red and blue areas will be dimmer than standard due to the paint thickness. A small trade off for having it look great during daylight when I'll be spending most of the time behind the wheel.

[210bhp]

I think you hit it just right Stephen. Logical thinking. It’s turned out nice. I like the freshened up look but still retaining more than a hint of patina.

Most heater controls, along with the ashtray, never seem to have their lights working, even in multi million pound restorations which often claim a ‘nut and bolt’ restoration.

Regards
Mike

[Darren65]

Just catching up on a few pages and was about to say don't worry about Light Ivory as it's one of the best Porsche colours, rarely looks creamy and mostly looks white except when parked next to blue or grey tinted whites and then 'BANG' you change the colour! ......fair play for knowing your own mind but it would have looked fantastic either way.

Great thread, love the loom

[middlefour1]

Same colour as mine Stephen, good choice!!

[defianty]

Now I'm happy, really happy. Exactly how I wanted to feel when I saw the car in paint.













A couple of bits to sort on the exterior but by this time next week it should be complete!

[Gary71]

Great stuff! Best to bite that bullet now than regret it.