At the risk of acquiring "the Wrath of Bill" on this subject, I'll add one more post. No one is arguing the superiority of today's technollogically advanced paint products over lacquer and modern products are probably the right thing to use for 99% of all builders. Lacquer is not durable. It is soft, it will stain, it will chip and needs constant maintenance such as waxing and polishing. When applying, it requires sanding between coats (since it will not flow well), spraying metallics properly requires some practice and good technique. Because of the wet sanding between coats, you may well mask the car 3,4,or even 5 times before the job is done. You need to know a little about lacquer thinners, additives, etc. No production shop like Bill's who does over 1,000 cars a year would want to touch it due to the high labor costs and time involved for application and tieing up the shop. And, basically everything he says is 100% correct. However, if you want the look and feel of lacquer, there is one absolutely sure way to get it. Spray it. You may or may not be able to find someone that can make a catalized product provide "the look". If it looks right after the job, great. If it doesn't, good luck on the repaint. I am currently making an aluminum hood, doors and decklid for the ERA. When done, I will re-shoot the entire car with lacquer (changing color just for the fun of it). I would not do this if it were enamel or a hardened two stage product. Lacquer is a great "hobbyist" paint choice. Want to change colors? Set aside two or three weekends and respray, sand, and polish, polish, polish. When I was in my teens I would respray my original AC every three or four months. Just like getting a new car. I have sprayed a LOT of lacquer (probably 100 to 150 cars). In support of Bill, as soon as I finish the Cobra, I'll be spraying my Lotus Esprit. That will be done with House of Kolor catalized products for "the wet look" although I will still be using HOK clear lacquer for the top coat. So in the end, I'm certainly not saying you "must" use lacquer to get "the look". I'm simply saying that if you want the 1960s look of lacquer, and are willing to put up with some of lacquer's shortfalls, there is one sure way to get it. Spray it.
