Sometimes i think???
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,568
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From: Enterprise Oregon
Sometimes i think???
Sometimes i think i'm the only one NOT building their vette back to show room stock Origional ect??-I know i'm not alone am i??-i want the best braking highest hp small block curve grabber i can build on my budget-same as i did my 55 sedan--Just wondering --Glenn 
Semper-Fi
Semper-Fi
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Joined: Sep 2005
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I have the same problem...I bought a "#matching" '67 L79 vert, and while I love it, I can't help but want to IMPROVE it from stock. So here is my general plan:
Keep all stock parts, and only replace old stuff with parts I can BOLT on.
So far I've purchased a complete upgraded suspention package (fiberglass leaf, heavy springs, offset trailing arms), upgraded brakes, wheels, and some roller rockers.
But what about the stereo? And A/C would be nice, and while it's pretty quick, man I have a few bucks in my pocket BEGGING me to make it faster!
Sometimes I think I should'nt have purchased a #matching, and just went nuts on a clean C2...Hmmm
Keep all stock parts, and only replace old stuff with parts I can BOLT on.
So far I've purchased a complete upgraded suspention package (fiberglass leaf, heavy springs, offset trailing arms), upgraded brakes, wheels, and some roller rockers.
But what about the stereo? And A/C would be nice, and while it's pretty quick, man I have a few bucks in my pocket BEGGING me to make it faster!
Sometimes I think I should'nt have purchased a #matching, and just went nuts on a clean C2...Hmmm
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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You're not the only one. I put a 383 stroker in my otherwise stock appearing red 61. Boy, what a 100 cubic inch increase does for torque!! I like stock appearing Vettes with some modern tweaking for performance. It's your car, have fun with it!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 130
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From: Halethorpe MD
You are not alone. Its just that the purists tend to speak the loudest. I've never gone up to someone with a perfectly restored car and told them that it was stupid for them to restore it. But how many of us with incorrect cars have a story about someone telling us that it was stupid to do this or that to our cars. My 17" wheels seem to really upset a lot of people.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
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From: Wheaton IL
While I respect the purest and am amazed my the attention to detail, it isn't for me. Too much stress. I like correct appearing things and generally buy the same casting number or functional equivalent if available. If I had to worry about bolt head markings, correct surface finish, and shade of black I wouldn't be interested -- at all.
If 0 is a tubbed drag race car with a custom built frame and a blower sticking through the hood and 10 is a 100 point NCRS restoration, I think I'd give myself a 7
Brian
If 0 is a tubbed drag race car with a custom built frame and a blower sticking through the hood and 10 is a 100 point NCRS restoration, I think I'd give myself a 7
Brian
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 4
From: Richmond VA
Originally Posted by Glenn's 58 vette
Sometimes i think i'm the only one NOT building their vette back to show room stock Origional ect??-I know i'm not alone am i??-i want the best braking highest hp small block curve grabber i can build on my budget-same as i did my 55 sedan--Just wondering --Glenn Semper-Fi
Semper-Fi
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 573
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Hi Glenn,
I know what you mean. I got turned on to this site a year and a half ago when I bought my vette and learned a ton through the site. I do find that the stuff I am doing (fairly radical - see my gallery) doesn't get much traction. I get more affinity through other hot rodders or customizers than through the vette hobby.
Good luck and keep us up to date.
I know what you mean. I got turned on to this site a year and a half ago when I bought my vette and learned a ton through the site. I do find that the stuff I am doing (fairly radical - see my gallery) doesn't get much traction. I get more affinity through other hot rodders or customizers than through the vette hobby.
Good luck and keep us up to date.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,632
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From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I like factory look the best==================BUT NOT the factory performance (unless, of course, its a hard core upgraded L88). My 56 has MOST of its original factory parts (the other few are nice repos). It has larger, wider tires (but not gigonda fats), a SB400 with a modified FI unit that LOOKS very much like a 57 unit, Muncie and later 3.08 posi rear. ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of these parts are bolt-on without modification to the chassis, body or interior. It runs SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than a 265 or 283. The most common, and most irritating, comments that I get is about my car being a 56 and having FI because FI didn't come out until 57.
So, I just ask 'em if they are going over to the guy with the 32 Ford and criticize his car because it has a SB Chevy engine in it!!! Or the other guy with a 55 Chevy with a 427BB and 4sp in it!! Is this old man an a-hole? ===================ONLY IF THEY INVITE IT!!!!!!
Glenn, you're just fine!
So, I just ask 'em if they are going over to the guy with the 32 Ford and criticize his car because it has a SB Chevy engine in it!!! Or the other guy with a 55 Chevy with a 427BB and 4sp in it!! Is this old man an a-hole? ===================ONLY IF THEY INVITE IT!!!!!!
Glenn, you're just fine!
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 405
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From: Long Island NY
Your not alone
I went with a non-matching number car.. so I could worry less, drive more and pay a lot less up front( i know up front that it may not go up as much as a matching car but it will not lose any value the more i drive it either) ..I'm sure if the original build 1960 crew at GM saw my horizon blue with a dewitts radiator,electic fan in front of flex fan, 1962 327engine , with a hurst short throw 4 speed, thrush mufflers, aluminium flywheel ,edelbrock c4b intake and matching 600 cfm edelbrock carb... they would smile and think it looks and preforms well under the craggar ss wheels with the bf goodrich radial t/a tires pulling the 4.11 1959 rear...(it's sort of a hot rod hybrid 
)
I would note for the record that the edlebrock c4b matches the edelbrock preformer 600 cfm carb very well so there is a match
The base coat also matches the clear coat well
)I would note for the record that the edlebrock c4b matches the edelbrock preformer 600 cfm carb very well
so there is a match The base coat also matches the clear coat well
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
Gotta do it the way you want...
I know how you feel. But once you learn that you do not have the original stuff in your car...well, it will never be "original" no matter how many "matching numbers" you install! 
I could put a 63' rear in my 63' but guess what...That's not original!
My 63's interior and exterior is stock (minus the side flag emblems and leather). I have a 1967 rear diff. A 1973 Truck motor. In fact the only drive component original to the car on the frame is the trans (M-21 CR).
I rebuilt the 67' diff, and the original trans, but I'm gonna put a stroker in it! With the possible exception of the few "survivor" cars out there, there really are no strickly speaking, "original" cars. At some point parts and components have been replaced with non GM parts cause they just don't make them any more.
I would be leary of any one who said all the parts on my car are original to the car.
There are more of us in this boat than care to admit it.
I could put a 63' rear in my 63' but guess what...That's not original!My 63's interior and exterior is stock (minus the side flag emblems and leather). I have a 1967 rear diff. A 1973 Truck motor. In fact the only drive component original to the car on the frame is the trans (M-21 CR).
I rebuilt the 67' diff, and the original trans, but I'm gonna put a stroker in it! With the possible exception of the few "survivor" cars out there, there really are no strickly speaking, "original" cars. At some point parts and components have been replaced with non GM parts cause they just don't make them any more.
I would be leary of any one who said all the parts on my car are original to the car.
There are more of us in this boat than care to admit it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,568
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From: Enterprise Oregon
thanks everyone--i sold a numbers matching 69 vette with low milage to a forum member so i could buy this project to do my way --just didn't have the heart to do it to the 69 vette maybe my folks dropped me on my head (hopefully while exiting a chevy) 
cannot wait to get to drive it one day tho! --again thanks--glenn
cannot wait to get to drive it one day tho! --again thanks--glenn