[gto4evr]

Originally Posted by PaulatFast

I only see overspray on one of those releases in your pic? I've never seen an original with paint on it. As far as the GTOAA Judging goes, no paint on the power release.

Paul, if they expect no paint on the power latch for judging, then what about the bolts that hold the latch in? (as in, if the latch wasn't there at time of paint, then should there just be natural bolts holding it since those wouldn't have been there during the paint process?

It does seem strange they'd paint it with the standard latch then remove later for the power. So what would happen to the unused painted latch, get put back on another car and go down the line for a second color over it? Doesn't seem reasonable that they would do that. I've been adding this option to all my cars for years and usually get them off a swap meet table so no pedigree proof but I can say the three currently in my possession don't have any overspray on them. Rust yes, paint no!

[Andretti]

I tend to agree, the factory installed the latch one time only, knowing of course if it'll be power or manual. To do otherwise would create a strange work process and be a waste of manpower.

[PaulatFast]

Not trying to apply logic here. Simply stating the facts as I have seen them. You guys do what you want.

[My442]

I worked on the line at GM Framingham in 1972.

My job was on the body line: installing door hinges, doors, trunk lids, etc.

The standard latch was installed in all the cars for adjustment purposes. I know because I did it...

The interior options were done much later in the soft trim area, and these options were added then.

[g68mike]

Back when I did judging at GTOAA we would deduct points for cars with unpainted door latch screws, trunk lid bolts, and unpainted trunk latches (meaning latches that were installed after lid being painted). I know there are alot of new judges the last 3 or 4 years and everything is always changing. You can have 2 different judges and they both have different opinions on what is correct. Thats the problem. Everyone has a opinion. You can provide oringal parts or pictures of your car before it was restored and the judges still try to dispute it. These cars are 40+ years old and less and less survivors are around to use for documentation. I always used this as a guidline for my judging, original low mileage survivors that have not been taken apart. I have had access to large rare car collections which also helped.
I believe the power latch in question was only used from 1967 to 1971. After that I believe they switched to the 2 piece design. Meaning that the latch was in the trunk lid, and then the solenoid could be added after which was used from 1972 on into the 80's.

[PaulatFast]

Originally Posted by My442

I worked on the line at GM Framingham in 1972.

My job was on the body line: installing door hinges, doors, trunk lids, etc.

The standard latch was installed in all the cars for adjustment purposes. I know because I did it...

The interior options were done much later in the soft trim area, and these options were added then.

Period. Discussion over. There's the facts straight from the source. At least at the plant where 442 worked. Thank you for posting.

The informaton we have on these cars keeps getting better. Not worse. All current GTOAA Judges that I know communicate very well and talk frequently, even when Judging. As a matter of fact the Judging sheets are scrutnized to ensure they are consistant accross the board.

As far as I'm concerned, Power latches shouldn't be painted. I respect others opinions on the subject. It is something I will be watching more closely when I come accross original cars.

[g68mike]

I agree. The only thing is 442 started working when they used a different latch, with the solenoid on the outside of the lid, not inside the lid the assembly in question. I guess the question is why would the half dozen I showed in pics all with original paint be painted identically?

[gtohurstjudge]

After reading all these posts, the only logical conclusion is that they
were done both ways......painted and unpainted.......either way could be considered
correct.

[gto4evr]

Originally Posted by PaulatFast

Period. Discussion over. There's the facts straight from the source. At least at the plant where 442 worked. Thank you for posting.

The informaton we have on these cars keeps getting better. Not worse. All current GTOAA Judges that I know communicate very well and talk frequently, even when Judging. As a matter of fact the Judging sheets are scrutnized to ensure they are consistant accross the board.

As far as I'm concerned, Power latches shouldn't be painted. I respect others opinions on the subject. It is something I will be watching more closely when I come accross original cars.

okay, I accepted that, but as to my original question -- what are you expecting when you have a correctly UNpainted power latch in the car for the bolt finishes? Painted with scratches meaning they re-used the original bolts that got painted when the standard latch went down the line or unpainted bolts to go with the unpainted latch?

[PaulatFast]

I have the same question.

My442? A little more light needs shed over here!

[g68mike]

Well I dont think GM was selling cars with scratched up trunk lids on the inside. You can see the latches that I and NYtrainer posted had the factory installed latches painted and the bolts were painted. If they were installed by the dealer or owner afterwards they would have reused the original bolts. The NOS trunk release kits I have seen for sale did not include bolts.