New to the forum and to the pagoda world

[EarlypagodaMX]

Hello everybody, after more than a decade chasing a pagoda, and after starting to Asume that they were probably out of my reach, I finally bought mine,  an early 1963 in need of TLC.

I'm new to my car but willing to learn and to contribute to the pagoda community.

[JamesL]

Welcome and wow. How early???

[EarlypagodaMX]

Very early. The 233 ever built

[DaveB]

And looks very nice!
Except the white belly.. 

[EarlypagodaMX]

You are right.  Some time ago this car was painted White. Originally was black with white hard top

[Benz Dr.]

I think he's talking about the rocker panel covers that are below the lower body side molding - that should be painted dark gray or a satin black color. Oddly, the only thing black on the car is the rims and they would have been white when new. I would leave the black walls out to give it a bit of contrast. Overall, it looks like something solid to start with which makes the job a whole lot lighter.