Case in point, the following Benotto 3000 as on Classic Lightweights:
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...to3000-rb.html
I've run into this article a couple of times since last year, and I shake my head in disbelief every time I read it. I ran into it again tonight, and I can't keep it to myself any longer.
Given that no mention is made of any frame repair, one must assume this "restoration" was as a result of damage and/or nicks to the cromovelato lacquer finish atop the chrome.
"The frame was originally finished in chrome with a gold laquer finish (see image below) and it was refurbished by Atlantic Boulevard in Bury. As it would have been too expensive to replate and re-laquer they finished the frame as near as possible to the original with paint."
"Below is the frame in its original livery of gold laquer over chrome"
...and after:
Somebody tell me how someone sane could reduce a gold cromovelato Benotto 3000 to run-of-the-mill Benotto gold? For crying out loud, even if the cromovelato was nicked up, the chrome could be re-lacquered if someone wished to split hairs over paint finish perfection.
I tell you, some people with the means to do restorations shouldn't be allowed around special frames like this. This is one of the many reasons I am extremely adamant about keeping things original, even if not in top condition.
-Kurt