I agree, sometimes at a show (when I used to attend) I always felt kind of embarrased when people would point out that I did not have the original engine, or those were not the right tires and wheels. I got sick of hearing it

However, I also do not drive my car as often as I would like. No, it's not "original", but the paint is great looking and I am afraid of stone chips, crazy drivers with cell phones and all the other knuckle heads that want to race or tailgate me when I do take her for a joy ride. I just can't seem to enjoy the car anymore.

I love the car, but being on a budget, two kids (13 & 16) a house payment and all the other bills, I often think about just selling the vette! I am paying the bank each month to enjoy the view of my car sitting in the garage. It's no ones fault, but I just don't seem to have time to enjoy it anymore

I can say that if not for this forum, I probably would have sold the car this summer; you guy's are the greatest! Thanks for letting me rant

Tod

 

It's really all about liking cars and enjoying meeting and talking with other people who like Corvettes also.

 

I for one appreciate all the great information I get from here and the NCRS judging guides.. Now, that being said mine is and will always be a driver. I try and drive it every chance I get.. Especially when I go to our religious services and give the little kids a ride.. They just love that!!! I'm also in the process of restoring it and I don't know if I'll be doing a body off, but everything will be as correct as I can.. I will probably be stamping my 180 block just because I'm ****.. (VIN #S110501 for those who care.. ) Once it's all done, I will still be driving it everywhere I can...

Now for those who like Duntov's Grandpa had that little black book of fellow enthusiasts, I'd be willing to take that info and put it in a file like excel or word for people to print and carry around with them... If you want to start a new thread or just send me your info to jcra@optonline.net let me know...

/joe

 

There are thoughts and reasons for both sides of this issue, neighter side is right or wrong and I recoginize this, so I do my own thing. I call my car Restified (restored/modified). I did a body off in the late eighties but added the touches I liked, clear coat /base coat paint, leather in place of factory vinyl, headers, nice cam and all the things I wanted when I was in high school but couldn't afford. In all the years of driving and showing my car I've only had one encounter with someone who took exception to my car not being factory correct, his reaction didn't bother me in the least, I'am happy with my car and to me thats all that counts.
Russ

 

I Top-Flighted mine last year, validated the work I did on it, and that's the end of its judging career; some guys do it five or six times, but once is enough for me - now I just drive it and enjoy it, and continue to maintain it in top shape. It's really not about the cars - it's about the people the cars bring together with a common interest, regardless which "category" the cars fall into.

 

Restified (restored/modified)

 

Whatever way anyone looks at these cars...
I know mine will end up completely brand new and in many ways better than show room and more durable and reliable as well.

There will be more attention to detail than the General ever considered putting into his assembly line product. And the fun part is I will have had my fingers on every nut, bolt, screw, rod, and gear in this machine.

It will also be driven like the General had intended... Wear that sucker out and get another one!

 

Well I hate to say this, but if your afraid to drive the car and you don't enjoy it, then I would think its time for it to go... I was in your shoes a long time ago while trying to do a ground up on a 63 SWC (in the 80;s no less.. parts were scarce) and then my son was born.. Car had to go... For the $$$ you'll get for your car, you could do something with your family, like a trip to Europe, Disney World or whatever. I would image that would give you more joy then looking at your car in the garage and payments every month.

BUT... If you do decide to keep it, then have fun and ENJOY it WITH your family!!!

I'm not passing judgement on you, it's just what I would do from one friend to another..

/joe

 

I agree with the concept that a "Driver" is as much a verb as a noun. To me a driver is just that. A car that is used, driven and enjoyed. It could be a full custom, NCRS Top Flight, or a mix and match as my 65. There are many who enjoy just owning a Corvette and many like me who enjoy driving it. No problems with either. I would only say those who are not driving are missing a great deal of fun!!!

Tom

 

Hey Joe, speaking of driving, this Sunday is the 2nd annual CF L.I. fall foliage cruise. If you haven't taken your car apart yet, how about joining us? Your car was the star last year being the only C2. This year there's supposed to be a few more (including mine) and a C1 also. Now this it what "drivers" are all about. / Charlie

 

======================================== ==========

Boy, do I agree with that. I think the NCRS crowd is bad for the hobby. Everytime they make a running Corvette into a nick-knak they make it just a bit more impossible for a young guy to get into the hobby. Now my 64 Conv. is matching numbers but I still get the stupid comments about non original radials ; would they be mad if they knew it has non-original air in the tires.

In general the NCRS guys have appointed themselves as the "Corvette police" and thats a shame. The AACA is being destroyed by the checkbook restorers who are willing to spend $75K on a $40K car to win a $5 trophy. When I talk to these guys invariably they know less about cars than my baby Granddaughter but they do know the auction results.

Happy Trails to all who take their cars down the road.

 

I'm leaving for business 2morrow... If I would've know I woulda planned to leave on Monday, but it's to late to change now... Rats... Keep me in mind for next year or the next one..

Not sure if I'm gonna body off it tho.. I keep going back and forth.. I'll talk to you when I get back..

 

livin
NCRS or NOT.

Hey and some of us NCRS dudes DON'T have WHITE HAIR and aren't OLD!!!!! Even though I do wish it were 1967!!!!! Cause I wasn't there in the FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!

oh yeah, and one day when the money tree is real ripe. I will buy a NCRS TRAILER QUEEN AND MAKE IT A NCRS DRIVING QUEEN!!!!!!!
livn
ncrs member # 40987
61 non-original DRIVER!!!!!! rain or shine-- day or night.
57 #'s matching on the way to being NCRS style original---Driver!!!!

 

RESTOFIED I like that term - I want mine to be as safe as possable -to heck if its not all stock (think disc brakes)

Another gripe i have is the guy that says "I restored it" and when you ask him a question , paint process etc - he has no idea what was done -- then you find out he just wrote the checks - "If ya did n't do the work just say so!!!!! ok off my soap box --oh and just so ya know i'm spraying mine with enamel --Glenn

 

You know I too am one of the younger crowd and to be honest I think the NCRS is a great organization as are the NCRS **** guys. They better the hobby even if you don't like em. I don't like the **** guys that come up and telling me what is wrong with my car. However it helps me better my car and I think that is a real reason as to why they do it. I don't take it as a negative or as them telling me how wrong I am. Just that they can't help that they know what is the right way it is to be done. Now a lot of times I like being the hotrodder but..I believe and you may not that the NCRS is GREAT for the hobby... We would not have the ZIP's, LIC, Volunteer, MidAmerica,Ecklers, etc of the hobby if it were not for the NCRS types that demand the correct repops of parts.. Don't jump to degreading the NCRS without first thinking about all the good the organization does. Dave..

 

Joe,
I'm sorry I am getting old and loosing track of the days . The cruise is next Sunday the 23rd not tomorrow. Hopefully that works better for you. Let me Know . / Charlie

 

I think the NCRS is good for collecting and verifying the the way the cars left the factory and the historical perspective. Thankfull for the all work they do. The hobby is so diverse that there really isn't a right or wrong and sure nothing can hurt it. They are just really nice looking cars in any condition, restoration, customization, or "original". Personnally I respect all and would be happy to own one in each catagory! My favorite is a completely unrestored original older car. Just something about it...Corvette or not.

Mine is a restored-driver-queen to bolts/screws not even seen. It's relaxing to me to get the car to the way it left the factory. Never been in a rush and don't care what any opinion is of my cars. Kind of hate when it will be done. Never put it in a show or anything but will show it to anyone and everyone wanting to look at it. Shows and judging are good as there are many catagories from what I've seen. Every time I take it out there is always rubber left somewhere and enjoy taking it out every chance I get. Sure it sits in a carpeted garag but is a restored-driver-queen. If you were on your "tires" for ~40yrs you would appreciate the carpet too

As many many years go by, and we're all long gone, the cars will all be on the same plane with each other.....still timeless cool looking regardless of what was done to them and we had fun.

Another viewpoint,
John

 

That's the one argument I refuse to accept. As evidence I offer all the makes and brands that do not have an NCRS; yet look at the quality restoration parts available for them.

Tri-Five Chevys, Camaros, Mustangs, Early Fords, Pontiacs, Mopars... all the cars.

People want quality parts throughout the hobby and there are plenty of great suppliers and manufacturers happy to provide them. DanChuck is one of the greats yet I don't see them making Corvette stuff. Trim Parts goes way beyond Corvettes.

And I won't buy the arguments that the NCRS forced them to do it because there was good stuff out there even for 30's and 40's Fords before the paint was dry on 1967 Corvettes.

People have been restoring old cars since before Corvettes were invented. Go to Pebble Beach and see the amazing cars that somehow got restored without the NCRS.

 

Makes sense to me!

 

I have nothing against the NCRS or what they try to do. Its just some people are a little close minded and have no manners when it comes to unsolicited advice. I'm not going to blame that on NCRS. Lets just call them the know it all, originality mongers regardless of their affiliation as I'm sure they are not all NCRS members. As far as being responsible for the big parts houses, well maybe yes, maybe no. I've got to believe the laws of supply and demand would have probably filled the void at some point without the NCRS, but in my eyes all they have done is make it so anyone with a checkbook can throw 10,000 repro parts at the car. Correct repro parts ? Up until recently the quality and correctness of repro part was dubious at best. In my opinion for the most part it still is. There was also something so gratifying about scoring that original part at a swap meet that is missing from just calling up XYZ Corvettes and ordering every part for your car. I think this is also contributing to the demise of the swap meet.

I don't really care anymore. I just drive my car, have fun and stay as far away from shows as possible. It's just ridiculous. You can't even park in the parking lot of a show without being accosted by one of these morons.Like I said earlier I would guess most of them aren't even NCRS members but they have had this original is the only way concept etched in their brains. I actually half-way dread seeing someone coming up to talk to me at a show. I mean I don't just go up unsolicited and tell them that restoring their car that way is a shame, and technology from the 50's and 60's sucks compared to whats available today.

Ah screw it ! Lifes to short to worry about this crap . and we've got some great Corvettes to drive. No more


From the following thread I would assume the driver, beater, non original guys are in the majority here anyway. Maybe if we are so concerned we should start our own club and trash their original cars at shows. That last sentence was a joke for the people that don't understand the smiley thing.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ero&forum_id=4