1967 Half Cab Restoration Questions

Hello all. I am still in the midst of my 1967 Commando Half Cab restoration. (pictures forthcoming) It's getting to the end of body work and I am unsure about a couple things. The body shop guy took it upon himself to put 3 strips of metal from the center cross bar of my half cab top to the front edge, approximately where the red lines are in this photo:



He said he did this to make it more sturdy. To me it disturbs the original integrity of the half cab. I am trying to keep this Commando as original as possible and this was the original half cab on the truck. I don't like the idea that it has been altered from original... especially without asking me first. I don't see a need for supporting braces on the top and am thinking of asking him to remove them and put it back to the way it was. Any thoughts?

One other question about the cab interior floors (not the bed) - this thing will be going to paint in a month or so. This was the base model Commando with no frills - white bumpers, no carpet, etc. As far as I could tell the floors were originally just painted red like the body. To keep this thing as original as possible, what should I do with the floors? Just have them painted the same color as the body? The body shop guy said he could just paint the floors flat black and I could put mats down. Would that stray from the originality? Am I being too anal?

 

Paint the floors body color. I'd tell him to take off the supports he added on the top also. Not being anal at all IMHO, its yours and your paying the bill.

 

I see no need for braces and if your going original I'd be some pi@#@ed if some body shop decided to put them on, especially without asking. Same deal with the floor, it was originally body color and if that's what you want then that's what they should do. I see no analaty at all.

 

X2

It's YOUR Jeep. Not his.

Unless you gave the shop "free reign", what he did was without your authorization.

As far as I'm concerned, if it was mine, I would have them removed and not foot the bill for those supports.

Just my $.02. Body shops can be a minefield.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I found a picture of what he actually did to the roof:



I think it looks like crap. I sent him an e-mail telling to take them out. He hasn't responded yet.

 

as a professional body-man id say take em off and be perfectly clear with the shop what you want A FACTORY LOOKING restoration they should follow your wishes. i wouldn't change something on your(the customers) auto without prior approval.

 

IMO,making desicions like that w/o involving you first is very unprofessional. There should be trust and a clear understanding of your goals, expectations and critical hold points. The bars being one of them. Experiences like that can be very unsettling. Sounds like your guy hasn't been listening. Stick to your guns on this one. You have to live w his results. He lives w your money. Awesome progress, can't wait to see more pix.