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At a crossroads, need some opinions!


o_rod

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Hey guys, this winter I'll be moving onto the body of the monte and I'm torn between full modification and a few personal touches...

 

Idea #1

Re use the stock side trim but paint some color other than chrome. Bumpers will go a non gloss silver/grey, delete lower rocker chrome. This is the easiest option, stays somewhat stockish, less holes to weld. Haven't seen many people do this, can experiment with 2 tone paint below moulding and won't have to repaint car...

 

Option #2

Remove all the side trim and chrome, fill and smooth it and French in side marker lights. Cut and smooth rain channel around window as well... this is obviously much more involved and far from stock. This is the look I'd love but not all that confident in my body work ability to make it 100% smooth. Seen a few guys do this and it looks phenomenal but if it doesn't go well there's no going back!

http://i.imgur.com/VlM4XP6

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Personally I'd stay with the stock trim, especially around the wheel wells. I think GM did a great job on the trim and it sets the Monte's off. I guess that could be option 3. Compared to the cost of paint, new trim (if required) seems like a no brainer. 

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I just noticed all Monte's came with the wheel well trim. Don't have that, but that's a a minor cost. I'm not a big fan of chrome myself but I'll play around with that Idea. I suppose if I go with the side trim it would be fitting to do the wheel well trim as well.

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I have also considered removing all the chrome around the wheels and along the rockers. Someone in here installed side markers off a Nova I believe. It looked very nice. I like the look of the chrome molding but I hate the idea I cant see whats going on behind it. I can see an argument for both. I guess it just comes down to what look you're going for. Mine had a strip of chrome door protector down the center, that defiantly wont be going back on. I've also thought about de-badging mine for a cleaner look. If its any reassurance I've only ever seen a couple of MC's that I hated. One was roadkill's nascarlo, what a hack job.

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Yup, the Nascarlo was a bit extreme, definitely not a model of motivation for me lol

 

You are right, I have never seen a modified Monte that I didn't like, other than the lowrider scene, but that's just not my thing.

 

If I had more confidence in my bodywork ability I'd shave and smooth it. But I really don't want it to turn out like a Nascarlo hack! I think that is going to be the limiting factor...

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Done nicely, a un-moldings car can look really nice. Smooth and simple. But all the moldings need to be removed, including the wheel opening moldings.

 

Personally, I'd still prefer all the original moldings in place.

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  • 3 weeks later...

It all comes down to taste. My overall preference is slightly modified, but only really noticeable to someone who knows the car. I had my lower trim and wheel moldings shaved, left the roof rails. There are a lot of holes to fill if you shave it - about one every foot, plus the marker lights. The stock lights are a goofy shape that got covered by trim to give it a rectangular appearance.

 

https://imgur.com/V1r8lw1

 

https://imgur.com/Qojh4f5

 

https://imgur.com/3OqiDZt

 

https://imgur.com/f0VaTZc

 

https://imgur.com/AnriMYz

 

https://imgur.com/J1yXoqb

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It all comes down to taste. My overall preference is slightly modified, but only really noticeable to someone who knows the car. I had my lower trim and wheel moldings shaved, left the roof rails. There are a lot of holes to fill if you shave it - about one every foot, plus the marker lights. The stock lights are a goofy shape that got covered by trim to give it a rectangular appearance.

 

https://imgur.com/V1r8lw1

 

https://imgur.com/Qojh4f5

 

https://imgur.com/3OqiDZt

 

https://imgur.com/f0VaTZc

 

https://imgur.com/AnriMYz

 

https://imgur.com/J1yXoqb

That's beautiful, thanks for sharing.

 

I broke a few of the clips for the side mouldings when I took them off and seen the replacements were like 100 bucks for a set, so that made my decision easier lol I'll smooth the sides and french in the side markers. I'll start there and see where that goes. My rear window trim is popping off and the window is leaking so that's going to take priority.

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i deleted all the chrome trim down the side and used Nova side marker lights and switched my door handles as well..just minor touches to make it my own car..wish i could post pics here . im gonna keep the chrome trim around the windows tho...

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i deleted all the chrome trim down the side and used Nova side marker lights and switched my door handles as well..just minor touches to make it my own car..wish i could post pics here . im gonna keep the chrome trim around the windows tho...

Any closer to paint Scott, I cant wait to see it when its done.

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That's beautiful, thanks for sharing.

 

I broke a few of the clips for the side mouldings when I took them off and seen the replacements were like 100 bucks for a set, so that made my decision easier lol I'll smooth the sides and french in the side markers. I'll start there and see where that goes. My rear window trim is popping off and the window is leaking so that's going to take priority.

 

Thanks! Can't take credit for the work, though. I didn't want to learn to paint on my Monte, so I bit the very pricey bullet. The metal work will probably be more expensive than the clips, unless you're talented enough to do it yourself. I went with how I wanted it to look and found the money.

 

Oh, a tip: for side markers, I ended up using 1997 BMW 7-series side markers. Rectangular shape, designed to be flush mounted, and have a light as well as a reflector. Every other rectangular side marker I could find was a reflector only.

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Looks like money well spent... nice idea on the side markers too!

 

My monte isn't collectible, original or a high dollar car so I don't mind taking the welder to it. I have more time to throw at it than money. It'll be a learning experience but that's what it's all about for me.

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  • 4 months later...

Steve did some custom work removing door handles, body seams (all over) on his 1971 Restoration (Long Gone but local).  But he kept the wheel opening moldings and the 10 pc molding set.  I feel both are needed.

The 10 piece set frames the car and the wheel opening moldings are needed on our cars I feel.  Without them our cars are flat at the wheel opening and have no lip.

 

I will attach Steves website.  The Custom car is under "1971 Restoration" on his site.  Many pics as to how he accomplished it all.

May be worth taking a look at his other restorations to appreciate the work he does.

 

http://www.monteman.com

 

Dan

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  • 2 months later...

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