When I restored my one 67 in the 1980's I used GM Reconditioning black paint for the firewall, rocker and rear panel blackouts.
The gloss of that paint looks exact to my other 67 that still has the original black tail panel.
It makes sense to me there would be a limited choice (like 1) for blackouts.


Mike

 This is perfect timing. I have new rubber for my 67 vents and am at the point of replacing them along with new handles.
This is the perfect exploded view to work by.

Thanks,
Mike

  Steve's work is excellent but remember the final results depend on the base metal condition. So, if there are pits then you will see them in the finished product though they will be plated. I'm at work now so I can't post a picture but if you want to see his work let me know.

Mike

Based on that explanation how will the second batch with the different paper render images?

Thanks,
Mike

 What's the scoop about the special paper you mention?

Mike

 Thanks for that link. I see the kit also has the dash defroster vent duct seals too.
Mine are dried out and certainly need to get replaced.

Mike

 I'd sure like to know too what the materials are in item #1 & #2. Mine has completely fallen off.
As for the letter and numbers that looks to be the date and I believe the letter I was not used in this instance so J looks correct for Sept.
Your date has low lag time between being made vs. installed in your car.
My 5B NOR BB has a Harrison dated M66 (Dec 66) core. I guess BB's didn't take off in sufficient numbers to use the cores more frequently in 67 compared to the smaller block counterparts that used the standard heater core.

Mike

 Seeing the reflection of some parts is what caught my attention. I haven't seen a firewall that glossy before.

Mike

The firewall is that glossy?

Mike

Hi Phillip,

  Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. As for resizing images and the final quality, that depends on the software you use. More expensive image processing software such as Photoshop (I use CS4) have several methods available to resizing images and maintain good quality in details. They off such interpolation methods as bicubic, bicubic sharper and bilinear for image reduction and control aliasing very well (bicubic methods can be used to enlarge images too). Personally, I use bilinear for image reduction because it maintains slightly better details and sharpness but I will compare to a bicubic version to see which looks better. I process primarly with astro images so details are very important to maintain. Keep in mind that when downsizing an image, pixels are being discarded so finer detail resolution will also be reduced. You can apply mild  sharpening to the reduced image to give the perceived look of details to an extent. Microsoft Paint is a basic image processing program and offers limited reduction quality.


 That is a hell of a nice looking car!
Mike

   On a better note, according to this months (March) issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines, the next generation Camaro production will be moved from Canada to Lansing.
Per the article "This will make for the first generation Camaro built within the US borders since the Van Nuys plant closed in 1992 and all Camaros since have been built in Canada"
The article further states "Why the move? Manufacturing efficiency. Assembling the next generation Camaro at LGR consolidates rear-drive passenger car assembly with the Cadillac CTS and ATS. This will make for lower capital investments and improve production efficiencies - the Camaro is the only rear wheel drive vehicle built at Oshawa, so building it on line with other rear wheel drive cars makes operational sense."

Mike

  I have seen this question comes up a few times so I decided to create instructions to outline the basic steps necessary to rescale an image to a size acceptable to post on the CRG Discussion Forum. Using the Microsoft Paint program that is part of the Windows PC operating systems you can basic achieve image reduction without needing third party aftermarket products like Photoshop.

1.Select Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Paint

2.When the Paint interface opens select File -> Open

3.Browse to the folder containing the file, select file and click on Open.
Depending on the size of the original image it may look very large on the paint board.
You can use the right and bottom scroll tabs to move it around.

4.Make a backup of the original image file in case you have to resort to it again. Being the intent is to make a smaller version to post I typically append the word –small in the file name (example: cam-replace.jpg with be saved as cam_replace-small.jpg).
To save the image select File -> Save As and use the new name.
Once saved this will be the current file you will be working with.

5.Next is to get the current image information. Select Image -> Attributes to display the image information (shortcut is to press control e)
What you want to note is the Width, Height and Size on disk values

6.Select Cancel to close the Attributes window

7.To resize select Image -> Stretch/Skew (shortcut is to press control w)
The Stretch and Skew window opens

8.Using the information from step 5 you can adjust the image file size recommendation of 150kb or less to be within the CRG requirements by changing image scale (Horizontal/Vertical) in the Stretch section. Depending on the size of the original image you will have to experiment with the percentages. I typically strive between a size of 480 to 600 pixels wide to give a good view for details and this size typically brings the file size within the recommended size of 150kb or less. To maintain the same aspect ratio use the same percentages for Horizontal and Vertical then select OK.

9.The image size will change on the paint board. To check the new size press control e (step 5) to display the new attributes for width and height. Note: the Size on disk value will not change until the image is saved by doing a File ->Save (shortcut is to press control s). Pressing a control e after it is saved will show the new file size in bytes.

10.If the image size is still too large or too small then you can back out by pressing control z which will restore the image to the original size. If you mess up and can't restore to the original size then close the image and reopen the original. Don't forget to save a backup again as mentioned in step 4.

11.If you are satisfied with the image size (width and height) and the size (150kb or under) then you are done

 I tried uploading a PDF with pictures but the file size exceeded the limit. If you would like a PDF copy PM me and I will send you one in email.

Below are a before and after resizing examples.
Hope this helps!
Mike

 I second the 6. I imported this into Photoshop, enlarged it and converted to a negative to better see the contrast and you can see it's a lightly stamped 6.

Mike

With the highest corporate tax rate in the world and some of the toughest regulations, why would any company want to stay here?  Washington is at war with the hand that feeds them.  If a company doesn't make a profit, there is no reason for it to exist.  If we want American companies and American jobs, we have to make the US a place that companies can and will want to base manufacturing in.

I agree. The tax system needs to be revamped and loop holes closed to make the US attractive to do business in again. Too much corporate tax dodging is being done. Read up on how Microsoft and HP do it to dodge taxes while keeping jobs off shore. It will make your head spin...it sure made the Senate Subcommittee investigations take notice.

Mike

But nothing will change because corporations have a strangle hold on Washington.

Not true. No one has less influence in Washington than U.S. manufacturing companies, as our legislators and policymakers in Washington have no interest whatsoever in supporting manufacturing - they don't understand what it takes to be competitive in Manufacturing, and don't want to be drawn into a public debate that highlights their ignorance.

It's a world economy, whether you like it or not, and we're not going to get any help in the form of a Manufacturing policy from Washington. In the meantime, deal with it.

GM has sold more Buicks in China than they have in the U.S. for MANY years - this isn't "new news".

I respectfully disagree...true. I've been in the computer field for 40 years and have seen manufacturing in the US vanish and almost overnight. If people don't think there is any influence then all they have to look at HP and Microsoft who after firing many Americas and outsouring jobs overseas.what isn't off shored they constantly lobby in DC to try and increase visa limits to import more foreign worked into the US. So the H1B program which was once used to find hard to fill positions for specialized talent is now the America job replacement program. Washington knows this abuse is going on and is powerless to do anything about it. I see it at work daily. I won't even mention the oil companies influence in Washington. We all know too well about that. ALEC is another example of corporate influence in policy making. The list can get lengthy.
 But yes, I deal with it like you and everybody else. We have no choice anymore. Finding "Made in the USA" anything is like finding NOS parts. 

Mike