Clone vs Orginal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Clone vs Orginal
Are clone cars done right a better invertment then buying an orginal? Suppose you have a clone Fuelie car done with all the orginal equiment. Wount that car drive as well or maybe better then an orginal? Why then would someone spend the big money just to say they had a orginal?
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From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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It pretty much boils down to personal preference.
Ever since I was in the 8th grade in 1957, I have always wanted a FI 57 Vette. NEVER could afford one! Finally in 73, the best opportunity that came along was a 56 that was mostly there, but needed lots of work. In 73, there was no such thing as NCRS and I didn't hear about NCRS until 78. By then I had built the 56 the way I wanted it. As time went by, I added FI, big brakes, 4sp, posi, etc, etc, so that it was what I wanted. Yes, it would be nice to have a genuine 57 FI car, but today it would cost more money than I could ever come up with. And now, my 56 has all the "good" stuff that would be on a genuine 57 Airbox car--------------------at only a fraction of the price!
So, again, it's really a personal preference as to what you want---------------and can afford.
Tom Parsons
Ever since I was in the 8th grade in 1957, I have always wanted a FI 57 Vette. NEVER could afford one! Finally in 73, the best opportunity that came along was a 56 that was mostly there, but needed lots of work. In 73, there was no such thing as NCRS and I didn't hear about NCRS until 78. By then I had built the 56 the way I wanted it. As time went by, I added FI, big brakes, 4sp, posi, etc, etc, so that it was what I wanted. Yes, it would be nice to have a genuine 57 FI car, but today it would cost more money than I could ever come up with. And now, my 56 has all the "good" stuff that would be on a genuine 57 Airbox car--------------------at only a fraction of the price!
So, again, it's really a personal preference as to what you want---------------and can afford.
Tom Parsons
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Are clone cars done right a better invertment then buying an orginal? Suppose you have a clone Fuelie car done with all the orginal equiment. Wount that car drive as well or maybe better then an orginal? Why then would someone spend the big money just to say they had a orginal?
then they could drive and be proud of owning a fancy make believe Corvette DA! RIGHT 
Drifting
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From: Australia
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From: Shamong, NJ
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Franklin, TN
Clones and resto-mods done right can make a beautiful cars.
It's a nice night and now I think I'll go out and embarrass myself and drive my "fancy make believe corvette"! I'll try not to bring down the neighborhood.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
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From: Conroe Texas
Well then, I guess those of us with unoriginal cars should just junk them since, in your eyes, they're pretty worthless. I have an all original, fully restored car and a non-original driver. I'm just as proud of my "fancy make believe corvette" as I am of my original. Plus, its a lot more fun! Matching numbers don't make the car!
The L79 in my 65 is a chevy over-the-counter motor from years ago, and the car is a whole lot more fun to me to drive because the original 300 horse motor is long gone, and I don't care (so much) if the 350 horse engine in it now, goes T.U.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
It pretty much boils down to personal preference.
Ever since I was in the 8th grade in 1957, I have always wanted a FI 57 Vette. NEVER could afford one! Finally in 73, the best opportunity that came along was a 56 that was mostly there, but needed lots of work. In 73, there was no such thing as NCRS and I didn't hear about NCRS until 78. By then I had built the 56 the way I wanted it. As time went by, I added FI, big brakes, 4sp, posi, etc, etc, so that it was what I wanted. Yes, it would be nice to have a genuine 57 FI car, but today it would cost more money than I could ever come up with. And now, my 56 has all the "good" stuff that would be on a genuine 57 Airbox car--------------------at only a fraction of the price!
So, again, it's really a personal preference as to what you want---------------and can afford.
Tom Parsons
Ever since I was in the 8th grade in 1957, I have always wanted a FI 57 Vette. NEVER could afford one! Finally in 73, the best opportunity that came along was a 56 that was mostly there, but needed lots of work. In 73, there was no such thing as NCRS and I didn't hear about NCRS until 78. By then I had built the 56 the way I wanted it. As time went by, I added FI, big brakes, 4sp, posi, etc, etc, so that it was what I wanted. Yes, it would be nice to have a genuine 57 FI car, but today it would cost more money than I could ever come up with. And now, my 56 has all the "good" stuff that would be on a genuine 57 Airbox car--------------------at only a fraction of the price!
So, again, it's really a personal preference as to what you want---------------and can afford.
Tom Parsons
kinda/sorta the same story with my 62... except i was 34yo
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,104
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From: Frederick Md
I did a 55 and it was correct and a prize winner, not much fun to drive. Then came a string of roll your own straight axle cars, my motors and all with muncie 4 speeds, way more fun. The latest is a 62, Jim Meyer front and back, 383 and a killer body. Best one yet.
Here is my take on this, when someone other than me pays the bills they can call the shots until that happens they can pound sand.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
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I always wanted a '62(just personal preference). I searched for several years until I could find the best I could afford. After a total restoration, I had a beautiful Roman Red '62 (IMO)!! But, it has the wrong engine...so what!! Aside from the block who would know? Does this make my '62 "non original" probably....but it does not stop me from enjoying her and appreciating how fortunate I am to have her. And if someone is astute enough to point out the incorrect block..I'm not upset 
Le Mans Master
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From: columbus oh
Team Owner
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Army
The questions is ludicrous on the face of it. Why are clones built ?
To emulate something so original and unique it invites imitation.
Rarity is valuable...you can't make more originals....I can pump out clones of something as long as I have money and parts...
To emulate something so original and unique it invites imitation.
Rarity is valuable...you can't make more originals....I can pump out clones of something as long as I have money and parts...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
Are you sure it's a clone and not a tribute, emulation, simulation, facsimilie, re-creation, copy, imitation, replica, representation, or counterfeit?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 649
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
isn't this somewhat of an oxymoron? How do you do something wrong, but right?
I am, of course, kidding around. But, this is a good topic. Using a 1957 as an example, if you have a low horse automatic in White or Cascade Green, then converted using all of the "right" parts make it into a 283/283 Fuelie with 4-speed in "resale" red or black. THEN, is it worth more money? I say yes, even if the seller discloses the truth. JMO
Joe
I am, of course, kidding around. But, this is a good topic. Using a 1957 as an example, if you have a low horse automatic in White or Cascade Green, then converted using all of the "right" parts make it into a 283/283 Fuelie with 4-speed in "resale" red or black. THEN, is it worth more money? I say yes, even if the seller discloses the truth. JMO
Joe
Safety Car
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From: Horsham Pa
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I don't think a clone is a bad car at all, I think that with the value of a restored original or a survivor car so high, they are a good alternative, face it if you get it damaged you did not hurt it's value with a repair like you would with an original. You can be just as proud to own one as a person with a all original and you should be. I have both and I drive the wheels of the non original car. Just don't pay the high price as you would for an original, in most cases 25 to 30 % less, in some cases even higher, a retro-mod is a different story you could pay the same and more then an original but remember the choppers of the early 2000 selling for $80,000 then, now you can buy one for $10,000.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Are clone cars done right a better invertment then buying an orginal? Suppose you have a clone Fuelie car done with all the orginal equiment. Wount that car drive as well or maybe better then an orginal? Why then would someone spend the big money just to say they had a orginal?
I have a "clone" '63 FI I built myself at about a third or less than the cost of what some call "real" cars.
My car is more real than most as it still has original interior, paint, body panels, all the cosmetics and all the right parts under the hood, just like it would have left the factory.
No, it's not for sale at any price. I have it because I can now afford it. When these cars were new or even ten years old, I couldn't (or wouldn't).
I'd rather have this plug than one of those rehashed rebuilt, fluffed/buffed $100K resto cars that's no more original than all the repop cosmetics and half the body panels replaced, aftermarket interior and some kind of thick looking base/clear paint and I have mine at a third the cost!
and a