A good car for fine point restoration

[Great Lakes Greg]

Greetings, My first post here having migrated over from ******** for something new and to get away from "what kind of oil should I use".
I have just purchased a rust free Special Coupe that was last registered in 1961. It is a time capsule with about 90% of it's original parts intact. If not for an ugly blue repaint, I would register it in original class in Dearborn next year. I did well in Touring Class with a sedan, and have the bug to do a fine point car. Here is what I don't have. Deep pockets. Can a reasonably good restorer like myself get a MARC of Excellence doing all of the work myself and using all original parts? I have seen Marks roadster, and it is a truly stunning work of art. I will never achieve that. I don't think the factory could ever achieve that. From what I have read here recently, and discussed with two other fine point guys, the judging is ruthless. I think I can do this, but I really don't have the resources to hunt down 89 year old wiring harnesses and the like. I know some of your answers already, and one of them is from Henry himself; "If you think you can or think you can't, you are probably right".
I am looking for something a little more in depth. I would also be open to anybody traveling through the Jackson, Michigan area to stop by and see what I have to work with. Thanks for your input.

[Jim Mason]

Take a look at Gary Karr' s Tudor. it's here in fine point and on my site. He did the work himself.
Take your time. be meticulous. Go for the experience and the fun, let the points fall where they may. Can't find original wiring at a price you can afford. So what. make the repop look as close to original as you can and move on.
Judge in the nationals when able. you will learn a ton. Then judge your car. you'll know what you will score (plus or minus) before the show
Mostly have fun.

[Mark Maron]

10000% yes you can. Dallas Meet, Bill Rauscher spent a total of 16,500 and did 100% himself and scored 430 and a MOE. Let me also say the judging is not at all “ruthless”. We judge based on the 2016 judging standards. It seems like your going into this on the negative to start and this is not the way to approach it. An 89 year old wire harness why? No reason for it at all. We now give approx 2/10th of a deduction on a high quaility reproduction harness. So the best you can with repos and read the standards, you buy hardware store nuts and bolts they are scored appropriately, but work your nuts and bolts to appear original and it’s a whole new thing. Go at this with a positive attitude and it will turn out incredible. My roadster, don’t compare what your going to do with my car and in fact don’t compare any car to what your doing. Your striving for a MOE 425 points and very very achievable. Regarding the place that asks about what kind of oil. If you joined the E28 and fine point restoration you wouldn’t get that but a lot of advice as you will here also. Welcome to the VFF. NOW GO FOR IT and jump in. Dont rush and bite the elephant one small step at a time. .......and remember we are here to help and I’m a phone call away Greg. mark

[Jim Mason]

Where is the e28 fine point on the other site?

[DaWizard]

Hey great Lakes Greg, WELCOME to the VFF!!

You really should start by posting a few pictures of the "ugly blue repaint" so we can get a feel for what you have to work with, but If you are half the restorer you think you are, you will probably be able to pull it off with patience and perseverance.

Nothing is impossible.

[Mitch]

Greg Welcome to the VFF!!

I remember meeting you and your wife at Gettysburg. It's good to see you posting here and checking the place out. You are well ahead of the game being that the car is 90% original. As it is with any judging competition you have to keep an open mind and realize that if points were deducted there is probably a reason for it. I can honestly say that guys like Mark Maron and Jim Brand who I see heading the judging teams are on your side. I think the tide is turning from the way things were, to the way things are now if you get my drift. We would sure like to see some extensive pictures of your new addition. These guys can give you a plan of attack if you wish to pursue that MOE.

[Gary Karr]

Welcome aboard Greg! I too say go for it. I certainly am not a wealthy guy who can farm out my restorations. My feeling is that if someone else can do it, so can I. Go slowly, one step at a time and work on each part as if that is the one piece that the judges will focus on. It sounds like you're steps ahead with a pretty original unmolested Special Coupe. Document and take pictures of it as you go so you know how it all goes back together. There are a lot of us here that can help with advice and original parts. Good luck with it. I look forward to judging it at a future MARC national meet.

[BAAP]

Several Years ago a local guy to me, named Hunter Fanny Restored a 28 special or sport coupe, i cannot remember. I believe he did the body work, paint and upholstery himself. 1st time around he scored in the 480's i believe than he fixed the couple of issues he had and he did even better. Just take your time, and ask lots of questions of people.

[Mark Maron]

Wonderful person Hunter and did a beautiful job

[Gary Karr]

And, Hunter received his Henry Award on his Special Coupe. It is a beautiful car.

[Jim Mason]

Determine your goal. Determine what expenditures, including time, money, and work, you are willing to tolerate. Develop a plan within those parameters. Take action following your plan. Satisfaction is reaching your goal. Happiness is being satisfied in what you've got.

[BNCHIEF]

The bottom line to all of this is it should be fun do not make it a job you hate, it is a journey just like life.

[JDupuis]

Welcome to the VFF.
I remember you from the other site...I enjoy my time here sooo...much, I haven't even gone to the other site for at least 8 months. . Thanks for joining here. . Jeff

[Hunter]

Great Lakes Greg,

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier. Yes - you can do it all yourself. The key to success is to take your time and do every single part to the best of your ability. If you are not happy with the result on a part or assembly, do it again. Never say "good enough" unless it truly is good enough and move on. Rely totally on the Restoration Standards and Judging Guidelines and not opinions.

I learned to paint by taking an auto painting class at night from a local community college. Started with small parts and progressed to the body.

It took me 12 years to complete my Special Coupe, but I was working a pretty demanding job with travel and, with my wife, raising our son. I never put the car in front of my family. It was the first car I ever restored.

People who have built fine point cars truly want to help you. They get a huge thrill from watching others achieving their goal. No way could I have done mine without the advice and counsel from the legends of the fine point world - Marco, Gary Karr, Rock Hill Will, Doc Kalinka, Doug Clayton, Jim Brand and many, many others.

Attend the National Meets, sit in on the Judging Standards Committee Meetings, and volunteer to help with the judging. You will be amazed at ho much you can learn in a short amount of time.

I wish you the best of luck - Hunter

[DaWizard]

Hey Hunter, WELCOME to the VFF!!

[JDupuis]

Welcome to the VFF!
You are member 1999. Thank you for joining.
And please keep contributing to this great forum!

[Mitch]

Welcome Hunter
It’s good to see you here

[Jm29henry]

If you get a chance take a look at the newest model a news, there’s a beautiful cabriolet,that’s won a Henry award,I believe that the man did all of the work himself. Also he did the interior with a lebaron Bonnie kit .

[JDupuis]

Hey Joe! Great to see your name on the Forum.
Been missing you! . Jeff

[Mitch]

If you get a chance take a look at the newest model a news, there’s a beautiful cabriolet,that’s won a Henry award,I believe that the man did all of the work himself. Also he did the interior with a lebaron Bonnie kit .

This one? Norm is an active member here
https://www.vintagefordforum.com/for...ery-own-norman
and this

https://www.vintagefordforum.com/forum/model-a/138575-norm-and-the-model-a-news