Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

[Randy M.]

I have a 67 small block and I am considering restoring the paint on the gas door and hood emblem flags. The paint in the flags are faded in some spots (both black and white squares) and the maroon flags also look tired and need some touch up (the attached photo has some wax that I have since cleaned up but still the faded flag can be seen). I am considering touching up the paint without removing from the car.

My dilemma is that I am torn between restoring the paint on these and just leaving them as is. The car is unrestored and has a Duntov award as well as bloomington gold, benchmark, and survivor awards, so it's a very original car. I would hate to destroy value or originality by restoring these, but I sure wish they looked better too.

Any opinions on whether I would destroy value if I restore the emblem paint in the flags?

[Jaime G.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

I have a 67 small block and I am considering restoring the paint on the gas door and hood emblem flags. The paint in the flags are faded in some spots (both black and white squares) and the maroon flags also look tired and need some touch up (the attached photo has some wax that I have since cleaned up but still the faded flag can be seen). I am considering touching up the paint without removing from the car.

My dilemma is that I am torn between restoring the paint on these and just leaving them as is. The car is unrestored and has a Duntov award as well as bloomington gold, benchmark, and survivor awards, so it's a very original car. I would hate to destroy value or originality by restoring these, but I sure wish they looked better too.

Any opinions on whether I would destroy value if I restore the emblem paint in the flags?

The lid looks great to me for an unrestored car that has won all the awards available that matter so why mess with it? Enjoy it as is!

[Loren L.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

Amen to Jaime's response.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

If it is not broke ---- Dont fix it

[Peter H.]

[Kent S.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

You've been through all the judging to achieve the awards you mentioned. Assuming you're not going to do them again, and assuming this bothers you, I'd touch them up. From the pictures it looks like you could do a minimal touch up of the black squares with a Sharpie which would improve things significantly. I don't see where the other flag needs work. It's your car and I'm only offering my opinion so do what pleases you.

[Mike M.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

take it off, put it away, get a repo and install. kill 2 birds, one stone. mike

[Harry S.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

What the good Dr. said!

[Ara G.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

A Benchmark 67? I wouldn't reach for a screwdriver under any circumstance. The door probably matches the patina of the rest of the car. Untouched cars are the high water mark and the pinnacle of these wonderful cars. Preserve, clean, protect and enjoy. Don't restore, repaint or alter their wonderful history. Just my two cents, but as a Judge I (and others) learn SO much from these untouched cars. Again, just my thoughts. ARA

[Leif A.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

I must agree with Ara and many of the rest...leave well enough alone. From the pictures, the lid looks extremely presentable for a 52 year old piece. Don't open Pandora's box. You restore the gas lid and the next thing you know the body will be coming off the frame

[Edward B.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

Perfect is the enemy of good.

[Roy S.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

The award you did not mention is the Bowtie award, if this car does not qualify for that consideration, and it has been messaged previously for the Benchmark award then all bets are off, fix whatever you wish.

As always, once you start down the path, there is no return. when you fix the flags something else will look poor then you'll fix it and before you know it, it will be a restored car. I wouldn't do anything other than clean it and preserve what is there if it were mine.

[Gary J.]

Re: Should I restore my gas door and hood emblem flags?

If you buy a new gas door lid you are going to have to paint the body color. The flags will be painted. With that being said I would leave well enough alone. If you put a new one on it is probably is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Years ago venders offered them already painted in body color but not today.