That well-known '70s-era lowrider Gypsy Rose was all about it, bass boats and dune buggies are molded in the stuff, and it's the finishing touch on some of the tackiest acoustic ceilings around-'flake, and lots of it! Some hate it, some love it. One thing is for certain though, that glitzy stuff is reigning supreme in popularity right now!
Traditionally, the roof of a '60s-style custom is treated to the 'flake-out process. Who am I to argue with such a steadfast ritual? Could one go overboard with this? Yeah, probably. Where is that fine line? You know when you see it. When terms like the aforementioned "bass boat" come up, you know that you have probably crossed the threshold into tacky-ville!
When Rizzo spoke with me about doing an interior-themed feature, I thought it only natural to do one up utilizing this popular paint treatment. When applied to the inner reaches of a custom car, depending on the execution, it can result in an outrageously subtle effect. Take, for example, this baseline '61 Olds F-85. Technically, we have a basic two-tone layout: body in watermelon and persimmon, top in Pagan Gold 'flake. Outrageous, yet subtle?
Anyway, our aluminum V-8-equipped econobox has 14-inch Supremes on requisite thin sidewalls under the fenders. These cars came with four-lug wheels; possibly switching to Corvair spindles up front and redrilling the rear axles would allow the use of a five-lug wheel. Of course, this creation is dropped a tad. Hydros, air, or simply lowered suspension by traditional means would take care of the altitude change. A simple shave and haircut with a capped, shortened rear bumper and chromed tube grille up front round out the bodywork on this Olds. Back to the interior...use of the stock buckets and rear bench would simplify things, only needing a new trim job of sculpted tuck 'n' roll in pearl white. Black carpet gives the illusion of floating seats and makes real-world cleanliness issues a little more livable. Throw the stock gauge cluster in the trash and get creative with various headlight and taillight buckets stuffed with the vital instruments. My overly simplified scheme dictates that most all interior metal surfaces are covered with the same 'flaked-out Gold that is used on the roof. A Gennie shifter and gold wheel from Mooneyes finish things up
I don't know about you, but I kind of like sparkly acoustic ceilings.