A very good example of resto cost and value of a 69 Cuda

Bill Crowell said

But autoxcuda, the proof is in the pudding, isn't it? The rust-prevention measures that the manufacturers took back in the '70s didn't work very well, because so many of the cars rusted out. I think that today it is all about preservation of the car, and there are much better alternatives, even though they are shiny and not at all authentically correct because they don't look anything like factory undercoating. For example, on the Porsche 356 restoration that I am doing right now, the painter convinced me to shoot the underside with PPG Delfleet One over DP90 epoxy primer. But I already discussed that here:

PPG Delfleet opinions needed

Click to expand...

I don’t know what those cars had factory. They are pretty valuable. I’d try to visually replicate what the factory looked like.

but that doesn’t mean you can’t use new technology and materials. Can you tint that Delfleet to a factory sheen??

new cars rust too. Old ones with full undercoating tend to rust less than those without. Ive seen after power washing a under a few broken pieces of factory full undercoating on my 68 Barracuda. You can see perfect factory grey primer with exterior paint thin overspray under that undercoating. There’s my proof in the pudding.

what about the noise suppression of pebbles and rocks hitting the wheel wheel tin? Undercoating absorbs those.

also cars tend to look better with blacked out inside wheel wells. A side view shows bright paint around tire and makes for an old contrast. New cars have black wheel wells too.

Same reason auto stylist choose then and continue to put black paint or black molded plastic in black on radiator supports and wheel wells.

now back to your 356... I think think special paint is a great idea. Personally I’d see if the painter would tint it to a factory sheen. Or maybe that can be replicated with they way he applies the paint.