FASTZ

Value of unrestored original vs body off restored big block mid year roadster? all things such as color,hp,options and documentation being equal in todays market and looking into the future which would be better to own

SolidAxle

IMO 20-25% premium for documented original vs restored. Only original once.

1954corvair

Unrestored, you can always restore a car, but the original it can only be once.

JohnZ

They're only original once, but recognize that purely from a resale perspective, unrestored original cars appeal to a pretty small spectrum of buyers compared to the buyer segment looking for a fresh professional restoration. That's just the way it is.

Harps

From a personal perspective (my dad has 2 Survivor cars: one is a 67 BB with 30k original miles, all orig paint, interior, etc... as well as a 72 BB with 1,700 orig miles) and the conversations you can have about the original cars are endless. You can walk into the garage and see a couple of the restored cars, but everyone seems to get drawn into the original cars and the discussion is always about the nuances of those two Survivor cars.

My dad's Survivor 67 BB roadster is on the right in this pic, and the 1,700 mile 72 BB is in the back left corner:

Dan Hampton

Forget the cars, I'll take the garage!

wmf62

Dan
you take the garage, and give the cars to me; i'll build my own garage to put them in.
Bill

ctjackster

that's "Garagemahal"

and yes I'd sure like to have it too!

Harps

Well, I am really not sure about the giveaways, but you're all welcome to come by anytime and check out the original cars. I'll talk your ear off about them.

corvette67jim

I saw this '65 fuelie at Kissimmee.It was unrestored with super low mileage.I would pay a premium for it in a heartbeat

darguy

I'm not sure about resale value, and regional markets seems to be a little different, but I'd vote unrestored. I am biased, having an original unrestored '64. It's been fixed when needed, and is a little weather-beaten compared to some of the 'survivors' out there. But, I drive the car hard when I take it out - I'm not worried about scratching the paint, and it still got a 3rd flight - and that was before the previous owners' un-Bubba process has gotten underway. But I think I've always liked 'em a little rough around the edges, er... with patina...

Here's one from the Auto-X against the Porsches last year:

53 Blue Flame Brett

Can't beat original. Only replicate it...almost.

ghostrider20

I always have people point out all the inperfections on my 65 coupe. "crappy body work, what a shame" is usually the theme. My vette has never been painted and never hit. Twoard the bottom of the body, by the rocker molding you can see some faint orange peeling. Like the machine of guy painting did not bend down real far to shoot that area.

Mark

Harps

Wow, what an incredible car. Black 65' Fuelie coupe, with sidepipes. Holy smokes! That right there is one of my favorite vettes of all time.

Does anyone know the story on it?

Simply gorgeous.

Jeff Garner

Rob, Awesome garage and Corvette collection, I'll take the Blue one....... Jeff G.

Harps

Eenie...Meanie...Minie...Moe.....

Jalopy31

I personally love the character of an unrestored survivor car, and feel that most survivors have an interesting history that often doesn't come with a restored car.

I've collected antique toys (pressed steel and pedal cars) for several years, and always prefer to buy a presentable original-paint toy over a restored one - in fact, I've never bought a restored toy. In the long run, you can afford to put a little more into a nice original and still be into it for less than the cost of restoring one.

Our '64 is far from perfect, but has held up pretty well for a car that has not been painted since about 1970. It has just the right patina for me.



Todd

nitromainia

Original by 50-75 even 100% above a restored car....

Kissimee Mecum 2009 last weekend:

57 Fuel (under 10,000 orig. Mi.) All virgin....... $250,000

Resored Duntov award 57 Fuel Superb restored- $103,000


...Any Questions?

"C'mon Let the Money talk..." AC/DC

FASTZ

wow,is that original paint? the car that I may have a chance to buy does not have paint like that.It is an original 396/425hp roadster

Dave K.

Obviously a matter of opinion and whose money your spending. I have seen some cars that are so shot, they should be restored, but like many will say, they are only original once. Then there are some that are so nice, you should be shot for even thinking of restoring. You find a nice one, then ask me about price. Find an original but totally shot one and ask me about price on that on as well. JMHO