Although both cars (Ron's and Alan's) are very well executed restorations, they are "over restored".
Chrysler NEVER built, painted, and finished the cars to the level of these restorations. Sans possibly a Y28, Y91, Y92 car.
Correctly, there should be over-spray, numerous obvious paint runs, massive orange peal, loose or ill fitting trim etc., etc., especially on a fleet vehicle.
I really like the car in question, it's perfect, drive and enjoy.
First up I'll take that as a complement especially from someone who hasn't seen the car in person.
Here is my over restore belly, as it sits RIGHT NOW.
The reality is I didn't want to go to the effort to paint the car with an orange peal but on the other hand it does have a pretty good ripple to the finish, my Barracuda probably has a better finish. My car will have the trim installed on the factory studs, the quarters and fender trim will not lineup with the door trim. As for the lack of overspray (under hood I assume), it will be gone the first time you service it (replace hoses, cables etc.), exhaust burn off within days. To me those are examples of over restored cars, I chose to go to the effort to detail my front end and engine compartment to look like new for an extended time.
My car is a good example of a car that will show well but would not hold up to the scrutiny of the true purest. It is being restored to be driven and look good for a long time.
Ron's car has a great paint job but already needs to be buffed out again, it looks like a car that has some miles on it, lots of towel marks from cleaning. His under hood looks like a car with 50k on it and multiple restoration errors.
The objective of these restorations is to A restore the cars, neither Ron's or mine were anywhere neer presentable when found. B to closely replicate the way it left the factory and later CHP Motor Transport and C to preserve the CHP heritage Both of our cars are far from prefect, don't let pictures fool you, it is the internet and I'm a pretty good photographer.
In my opinion my car is not over restored, if you have a rusted part it will need refinishing, paint it the correct color and put it together. No concessions have been made to alter the way the car is going together. Including purchase, engine rebuild new interior, rebuilt trans, chrome bumpers, dash pad, steering wheel... I probably have about $20-$25k TOTAL investment in this project, most "over restored" projects have more than that in just their paint.
Done with my rant back to the regularly scheduled post.
Nice car Steve, I hope you do well with it!
Alan
