[coolgoat455]

Hey everyone!
I've been out of the hobby for about 18 years. Wow, have things changed. We use to have to custom make parts and adaptors for the mods on a milling machine. Well, now theirs a kit for just about everything. Wild!

So I uncovered this car a few months ago and started it right up ( after a carb rebuild and new pump and tank).

After 20 years I'm finally ready for paint but my painter retired.
Got a 70 Lemans Sport Convt I'll post pics and more of the story soon

Does anyone know of a good paint shop in South Florida? I'm at loss. All I've found over the last 30 days are crash and dent hack shops staffed by crack heads. I'm obviously looking in the wrong places.

All the folks I use to know seem to have moved north or closed their shops.

This biz has changed drastically from the last time I worked on this car.

Any advice is welcome

Thanks! and it's good to be back!!!

[Cammer-6]

how far are you willing to travel?

[1966geeto]

I live in Tampa and ran into the same problem I now have a car that's been in 2 body shops and still not correct the last one came highly reccomended and has been in buis for 45 yrs found out the guy working on my car was a coke head so pissed I now have the car back home and the body back off to fix his f ups the paint is another story stay away from CRAIGSLIST and back hole shops ck out the booth and cleanliness of the shop expect to pay for a good job allot more for any type of show quality good luck lots of research.

[Gator67]

Steve Dietz in Stuart did my 67. He does fantastic work.

[MCronkGTO]

+1 for Steve Dietz. I own the 67 Grand Prix he had years ago and it still looks great. He specializes in Pontiac's and knows them well. There are several others on this board who have had cars done by him.

Mark Cronk

[coolgoat455]

Hey, wow, quick responses Thanks!
I'll look up Steve Dietz in Stuart.

I had the front sheet metal off but I guess I need to rehang it all just to be able to trailer it around for paint estimates. It's also the best way to know what's missing, again.

Years ago I put together a suspension set up with help from Ken Kroche at HO over the phone and lots and lots of test fit parts from the local upick. It worked great. Handled like an new ZR1 vette but shook out your teeth doing it. Well after I dug out the car and drove it in the parking lot I decided to look into these kits and modern options. I went with the Wilwood disks and the Rideteck arms, spindle and coilovers. I haven’t driven it yet but I it looks like it all fits. I have to solve the strange steering problem though. I think I had changed out the box for a fast ration buick GN box that wouldn’t let me turn left. Maybe I’ll send out the original box to rebuild it and put it back on.
But the biggest and most important thing to do is get it painted so I won’t sit unused and in pieces for another 20 years.
So with your help the paint shop hunt begins!

[coolgoat455]

How far to drive to find a good shop? Well, since its going to be the family weekend driver and not a trophy car I think my limit would be Orlando and Tampa. I'm in Miami. If I had to drop off parts or cash I could still drive up and back the same day. I don't know how I'd feel with it being any further away. I took it to my work shop just recently. Its been sleeping on the other side of the block wall were I rest my head for the last 20 years and knowing its not there already has me nervous. At least I spend my work day next to it.

Yes its weird, I know.

[Cammer-6]

looks great
might want to get some of that metallic blue paint before its phased out

[coolgoat455]

If you are referring to the block paint I'll order some soon, just in case it becomes unavailable.

Funny thing about the engine color. It's actually the original color. Its something like alpine green or something. We thought someone repainted it green when we first opened the hood but when we disassembled the engine we discovered it was original.

Charley Kabbaby did the first and only rebuild in the early '90 and was also surprised but he confirmed that it had never been apart and there was no other color on the block heads. Even when it came back from the boil tank that green was the only tone on it. We took some photos. I'll look for them when I get a chance 'cause there was no .jpg or flash drives then just film.

It’s a bit of a mystery that I figured would never be solved.
If anyone has any idea please chime in. I’d love to solve the 20 year mystery.

[coolgoat455]

does anyone have contact info for Steve Dietz. seems the phone number on the floridapontiac web site is out.

[Gator67]

I haven't heard from Steve in a while, I hope everything's OK.

[MD79TA]

Florida Pontiac
772-221-1774

steve@floridapontiac.com

[Gator67]

also try steveopolus@yahoo.com

[coolgoat455]

I've had no luck yet. I left steve a couple of messages but no luck either.

Does anyone know of a good shop in south florida?

[PONTIACHOMESLICE]

Give us a try at daytonamusclecar.com. We're in Port Orange ,just south of Daytona. We can also provide free pick up and delivery. Plenty of happy customers.List of current Pontiacs under restoration are . 2 1965 gto tripower verts, 65 gto vert 4sp, 69 t/a 4sp, 70 formula, 66 gto tripower 4sp, 70 t/a.

[mcarb80682]

its so hard to find someone in south florida. People down here will take your cash and leave you in the air. Their this place near dania beach called ravenwood really good , but they do complete restro but its expensive. I decided to do my own. in south florida people are just used to changing fenders and painting , they just want to fix crashed cars, new ones. Its good to see other pontiac fans like me around here. I thought i was alone. He's right about the crack heads

[Marty76]

I use to work at Ravenswood Auto Body in Dania Fl. They are a high end Body shop. One of the best in the area. There was no compromise with material's, part's or Insurance company's. The shop was kept clean and organized. It's family owned and they are honest people to deal with. We did collision and lots of Custom work on Truck's and Bikes. They live the phrase "Pre accident condition". The stuff I learned there is invaluable to me.

Excellent shop.

[1966geeto]

It would be nice if there were members with paint knowledge to do some basic videos on how to's I know it's allot to ask but so much misinformation out there.

[Bobbord67]

Originally Posted by Gator67

I haven't heard from Steve in a while, I hope everything's OK.

After a long pause, I finally hot my 67 vert into a shop for paint.
Steve Dietz at Florida Pontiac did the initial metal work.
We just discovered he put a 66 Dash in which does not fit the 67 dash config.
He welded both lower 1/4 panel extensions 1/4" too short so the fender moldings do not fit.
So if anyone finds him, let me know.

[MUSLCAH]

A 10 year old thread ...dug up