paint or not to paint..... help!

[HERB]

For what my opinion is worth (not much! ) If you want your engine, or car to look like it was built 40 years ago and left in a barn unused for the last 15 years don't restore the linkage.  If you want your car to look like what a new Cal-Look car looked like 40 years ago, restore the linkage the way it was when it was new. It's up to you, it's your car after all. Enjoy it!The only thing to keep in mind is to make sure the linkage works properly, is safe and won't leave you stranded somewhere far from home.  If you really drive your car I would just make sure that whatever old part you use WORKS.  I personally have no patience with parts (new or old) on my car that don't work properly and ruin the experience of driving it.
Just my 2 cents.
[/quote) I think this is the best response.

[Fritter]

This is a very subjective topic!  My opinion:  Leave it original.  This way you won't have a "bellybutton" linkage like everyone else has and you'll have a story to tell every time you open the decklid. 

I have a blue 019 (kinda the same color) that I left in the original chipped paint, looks cool in my opinion.  Shows that you took the extra effort and spent the money to find original parts.

[mg]

I like patina that represents years of fast and safe track work.
But the patina on your linkage just looks like it came from years of neglect in a dirty garage.
40 years ago that would of been a very desirable linkage "as is" on a Bug In worst of show entry.
Flat strap just looks so crude.  

some old car parts I'd rather not have on my cars..
but if you get a stuck throttle   I'd check your clapped out linkage first.  
(after you cut the motor and coast to the side of the road).

[OC1967vw]

For what my opinion is worth (not much! ) If you want your engine, or car to look like it was built 40 years ago and left in a barn unused for the last 15 years don't restore the linkage.  If you want your car to look like what a new Cal-Look car looked like 40 years ago, restore the linkage the way it was when it was new. It's up to you, it's your car after all. Enjoy it!

The only thing to keep in mind is to make sure the linkage works properly, is safe and won't leave you stranded somewhere far from home.  If you really drive your car I would just make sure that whatever old part you use WORKS.  I personally have no patience with parts (new or old) on my car that don't work properly and ruin the experience of driving it.
Just my 2 cents.

Your advice is worth 50 cents. Best advice stated.

[OC1967vw]

Hammer-finish paint is still readily available from here, in a wide variety of colours, including blue (paler than shown on the website), and black and white, if you need to mix:
http://www.hammerite.co.uk/products/direct_to_rust_metal_paint_hammered_finish.jsp

Not the manufacturer of the paint GBE used for many years or same paint.

[Jeff68]

For what my opinion is worth (not much! ) If you want your engine, or car to look like it was built 40 years ago and left in a barn unused for the last 15 years don't restore the linkage.  If you want your car to look like what a new Cal-Look car looked like 40 years ago, restore the linkage the way it was when it was new. It's up to you, it's your car after all. Enjoy it!

The only thing to keep in mind is to make sure the linkage works properly, is safe and won't leave you stranded somewhere far from home.  If you really drive your car I would just make sure that whatever old part you use WORKS.  I personally have no patience with parts (new or old) on my car that don't work properly and ruin the experience of driving it.
Just my 2 cents.

Your advice is worth 50 cents. Best advice stated.

Thanks HERB, and OC1967.
You know, I appreciate all the different ways that people present or decide to restore or even unrestore air cooled VW's. It gives me more ideas and even more appreciation about where / how the Cal-Look and or Custom VW came from.  The only thing that bothers me is seeing one of our cars broken down on the side of the road, or worse, a part malfuntioning (breaking) and causing something dangerous to happen. When things like that happen it can give a negative impression of our cars and the hobby.

[Nico86]

Could look good with a 019 Screamer.

[Lee.C]

"looks cool in my opinion."


And that about sums it up - if YOU think it looks cool and it works properly then use it 

[Fastbrit]

Not the manufacturer of the paint GBE used for many years or same paint.

Funny, but I don't actually even recall saying that it was... 

[Zach Gomulka]

Well said, Jeff.
My point is that if the original type paint is no longer available and thus is impossible for the part to be made look "new", then leave it in it's original finish.
I would like to see how the paint Keith posted compares to the original.

[Fiatdude]

OK --- Just to piss most of you all off --- --- I bet there isn't a one of you with the ORGINAL PAINT on your car and here you are arguing about repainting a freaking linkage -- --

Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do

[OC1967vw]

OK --- Just to piss most of you all off --- --- I bet there isn't a one of you with the ORGINAL PAINT on your car and here you are arguing about repainting a freaking linkage -- --

Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do

You are right.

My original paint is under my color change #1 and #2.

[Rick Meredith]

UH... my car is mostly original paint.  

Only parts that have been repainted are all the fenders and one 1/4 panel.

[Zach Gomulka]

Original paint here as well

[Jon]

OK --- Just to piss most of you all off --- --- I bet there isn't a one of you with the ORGINAL PAINT on your car and here you are arguing about repainting a freaking linkage -- --

Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do

There is a difference, the cars were not made by Gene Berg.

[Fiatdude]

Ok === I'm sorry 1 person has orginal paint -- -- And you'll have to excuse me, I forgot about the divinity of Gene Berg

[2manytoys]

My Dodge 2500 has it's original paint and it still looks awesome!

In my opinion, it depends on the "Theme" or the build of the car. If the overall look it original "patina", then clean it and run it as is. If you like detail, like I do, then "restore" it. I think it is a neat piece even though I have never really been a big fan of that linkage. A part of our VW performance history for sure. Unless Gene signed it,..I say re-paint it, JMO.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,..and more importantly the owner.

$0.02 applied.

P-

[Rick Meredith]

I thought beauty was in the eye of the beer holder?? 

[Fiatdude]

Awwww -- just leave your engine stock -- -- Like I did