shaving, smoothing, flush mounting

[XLexusTech]

Hi I can apreciate that everyone has their own tastes. However For my own edification I was wondering somthing.
What is the big motivation around all of the flush mounting windows shaving drip rails and removing/smotthing door handles?

Why I ask is it seems to me the reason I enjoy muscle cars is for thier nostagic look. The body lines Chrome and shape are what make them distincly early Mustle.

To remove many of those charistics seems weird to me.

Just wondering..

[subtlez28]

For me it is a less is more deal. I love the overall shape and lines of muscle cars, but the needles nameplates and trim do nothing for me.

I shaved all the brand and model names as well as the door ding guard stuff off my Buick. I think it looks much better.

I do the same for my late model stuff. On modern cars and especially trucks all the name stickers and guard strips take away from the lines.

To be honest I don't know why they put it on at all. Name recognition I assume (so even non car people know what make/model it is). Look at concept cars. They don't have all the extra badging.

And as for flush mounting glass, It seems to me the glass trim (and most trim) is to hide sloppy build tolerances. So if you are taking the time on a project, why not make the hole for the glass fit the glass, rather than fill the gap with chrome trim.

Just my 2 cents. I'm interested to hear what others think.

[BA.]

I've taken off every emblem on my Camaro, some trim pieces, and flushed the glass.

I think the older cars are awesome because of their body lines, and creases, scoops, spoilers, wings, etc. To my eye, most trim and emblems take away from great body lines.
There is some trim that accentuates a line or effect though, I can appreciate that.

[Steve1968LS2]

They do it to make old cars look more modern...

I personally like the brightwork and trim..

[rogue]

the exact same thing that street rodders did to hot rods

[Martin71RS]

I shaved my doors, smoothed bumpers and did some other bodywork to make it smoother.....

I do still have the hood emblem and windo mouldings.

I just like the way it looks

[Vegas69]

There is a fine line that needs to be walked. I personally like a mixture of new and old. I hate to see all the nostalgia go to the wayside. I still like the door handles, mirrors, bumpers, etc. I'm not sold on the flush mount kits. It changes the proportions of the body. If the build flows anything can work. I like your car Martin but it looks to naked for my taste. However that is what makes pro-touring great. Build it exactly how you want it!

[awesometool]

There is a fine line that needs to be walked. I personally like a mixture of new and old. I hate to see all the nostalgia go to the wayside. I still like the door handles, mirrors, bumpers, etc. I'm not sold on the flush mount kits. It changes the proportions of the body. If the build flows anything can work. I like your car Martin but it looks to naked for my taste. However that is what makes pro-touring great. Build it exactly how you want it!

I have to go with vegas69 on this one. It was as tough choice on my build. I went half way no rs upper door molding, drip molding, lower door molding, camaro logo, ss emblems. To much made it look busy. To little made it look plain. I'm still stuck on stock or not driver side mirrior.

[Steve1968LS2]

I will also say that if you shave your door handles you can say "goodbye" to ever passing tech for a road course or drag strip... Just something to consider.

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

Personally I think the cars are very nice either way. If the Popular Musclce cars didnt have the awsome lines and features they have, they would have fallen victim to all the other car designs we dont see much of anymore. THE CRUSHER

But, it is nice to be different. How many Car Shows are events do we go to that all the cars look the same. Look down that line of Camaro's, Chevelle', etc, if you switch the wheels and tires you now have mulitple cars that look the same. Does a Pro-Touring Guy feel good about having a car that can be mixed in with the rest? I think not, we can see that in all the project threads on here. Pro-Touring is a great movement, it isnt just about hidden drivetrain and suspension, it is about innovation, new ideas, and keeping your car from being a Cookie Cutter build.

There is another great thing about Pro-Touring.com. People share there ideas and views, and most are respectful to the Car Owner/builder (99.9 Percent) There is a vast knowledge of success and failure on here, and everyone is eager to share which ever one they have to offer to help or keep someone from making the same mistake. I have visited other forums for different car makes (I have many different makes and models), but this site is the most social of them all..

Just my two cents.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Thats why i have one of each..

my car Vengeance is shaved, smoothed, and fitted.. very modern

and then i have another 67 that is pretty much stock aside from the wheels.. lots of nostalgicness going on there..

it just depends on what you want out of this hobby..

i want and love em ALL.. like women... but i cant commit.

[JRouche]

I shaved my door handles, drip rails, emblems and molding. I kept the bumpers chrome and have some nice shiny wheels. Oh, and the arm rail at the top of the door, you know, where you hang yer arm during a putt through town. A lil old and a lil new. Think it looks good, still in primer lol so maybe more old than new. JR

[cluxford]

I'm shaving rails, handles (although going flush modern handles), flush glass, no chrome molding, but billet everything and chrome bars (fronta nd rear). I'm even shaving the side markers on my 68.

I like 32 fords, 55 chev's...etc.

Basically I like the "smooth" look of a car, lots of smoothed metal and great curves.

I love cars not shaved just as much, but for me a I prefer this look.

Even my interior is getting the smooth treatment. No switches or anything will be on show, only a steering wheel and 2 gauges. Not even a shifter to be seen !!!!

[Ron L]

I personally don't like the practice of filling and eliminating gaps in the bodywork. It makes the car look like a kit car without panel separation lines, as if it's one large piece of fiberglass. Like that one early Mustang where the headlight buckets and apron were all welded straight to the fenders. WTH? Then there's the issue of repairing it in case of an accident.

[mrfixit58]

If everybody had the same taste there would be only one make of car and all of them would be the same color.

For me, I bought a plain Jane six-banger 68 Camaro with few options with more bondo and rust than good metal. I could restore back to factory perfect and it wouldn't be worth what I could get for a half-ass SS clone.

Even if i built it as an SS clone, it would still be a 40 year old car with all it's flaws.

So, I decided to try something different and go pro-touring and smooth the body lines and add a couple of custom touches. I'm doing the work myself and learning a ton and having a ball in the process.

I've done the restoration "thing" a couple of times and, to me, there was no challenge in that anymore. But, to each, his own.

[camaro2nv]

Some like hair down there and so like it SMOOOOTH,lol.
I like a sleek look.

[mrfixit58]

Some like hair down there and so like it SMOOOOTH,lol.
I like a sleek look.

This is why we call our cars "she"!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

and thinking like that is why your wife hates your car..

hahahah!