Pa G 66

Hey guys,

My 66 convertible is pretty much all original, solid running car with great paint (about 10 years old), matching numbers, 327/300 4 spd, no extras. The years are showing in the condition of the carpet, slight wear on the drivers seat, rag top, and the engine bay looks pretty bad but everything works fine. It's a car that looks great from 10 feet and runs really well.

So the question is, should I leave this car alone or should I restore it? Something about the originality of this car is almost begging me to leave it alone and enjoy it but I do want it to be the best driver it can be and replacing some of the worn components would make it look a lot nicer. In the long run, what would make this car more desirable, collectable, valuable?

Thanks for your opinions and advice!

SonnyAK

I'd leave it as is, but fix the few little appearance items you mentioned. Using the vinyl spray dye on the carpet works great for touching up the faded areas. The other items mentioned are easy fixes, and it'd be a shame to change much else if the car is mostly original and in really good condition! I think you'll drive it more if you don't make it too perfect also!

4 Speed Dave

Enjoy the car and do small things at first and pick away at the things that bug you as you see fit.

Nowhere Man

I would fix things as needed And just drive and enjoy.

Not sure you understand what it takes to restore a corvette or not But for one it does not happen in a few months Some people it takes years.

capevettes

The real question is whether you would enjoy the car more in a restored condition or drive and enjoy it less? Sounds like a nice driver that you could spruce up a bit and enjoy driving without all the restoration headaches. I see far too many mid years that are painstakingly restored and never driven. A presentable driver is a fun car to own and enjoy.

jim lockwood

Don't worry about making it more valuable or more desirable. Waste of time.

Fix it when it breaks. Otherwise drive and enjoy it.

Fawndeuce

I was faced with a similar situation on my '67 300 roadster.
If I did all the work myself except for the paint, it would cost me about $30K to restore it. If I combined that 30 with what I paid for it (I got a good price) it would still be cheaper to go buy finished car, and I wouldn't loose my ride for at least one or two seasons.
So instead I redid the underhood area and have been fixing the other stuff as I go. I still get to drive it, and if I ever decide to sell it I'll still do fine.



Paul

ChattanoogaJSB

Spruce as needed, with as little time off the road as possible and do not restore. That's the same position I'm in with my '64 driver. I anticipate painting it down the road will be the biggest time off the road, but my paint is showing more wear than you describe.

cv67

Ill walk past 10 restored ones to get a good look at one thats more original/weathered, something about them I like. Leave it be.

Boyan

Keep it original

tbarb

Here are pictures of my 67 300hp convertible, it's a nice original car that I enjoy working on and driving. I did everything myself including paint because I am a hobbyist, IMO do little projects as time allows and enjoy your car.


I don't want mine to be a car I can't enjoy driving.

GUSTO14

I'm with those that suggest using the car as it is and fixing the things that need fixing or just plain drive you nuts. You really need to enjoy the car as it is, flaws and all for a while at least. You will certainly get to know the car and be better able to zero in on those flaws if and when you do decide to restore it.

I think many here would agree that as much as we all look forward to having a restored Corvette, it will undoubtedly change the manner in which you enjoy it once you do.

Good luck... GUSTO

rfn026

Right now a restored Corvette is worth about 20% less than an original one. In other words if you spend $50,000 restoring the car you've just dropped the value by 20%. Restoration is currently the fastest way to kill the value of your car.

Take a look at the Simione and Collier Collections. Also, Peter Mullin. None of them restore cars at this point in time. They do make them run though.

Richard Newton
Historic Racing Images

Wayne1964

How about some pics ?? I do a little each year .

65 vette dude

I was in the same boat as you when I bought my 65. After a year I got tired of the "worn out look", and I spent 2 years restoring it. It still has the original L79, tranny, and interior(except carpet), but now I get nothing but compliments on such a beautiful car, and I have won many trophies at car shows........restore it to original.

Crunch527

Another view which is similar....

I like to tinker and for me a "numbers" car with a full restoration just isn't my thing. I appreciate those that pursue that endeavor and the cars are nice but not for me. So, I went and found a nice NOM 67 vert and overhauled the drivetrain and suspension to my liking. I upgraded parts where it made sense, added side pipes and a stinger hood so I could get a 383 stroker underneath and I drive the heck out of it. It has original interior and top and I continue to tinker and will update the headlight/washer motors with the new setups and may even swap the seat for something with bolsters and headrests.

I guess it's more of a hot rod but I really enjoy the hobby and love the look of a 67 w/ stinger and side pipes.

So, if it were me I probably would fix and drive as I go...a full resto and having the car sit in a million pieces is tough for me. BTW: I planned out all the drivetrain work and did everything in two weeks. Two weeks was what it took Bairs to refurb my trailing arms and control arms. While they were out, I got the engine/trans installed and when the parts came back, I had it done in a few days.

Got the itch now to do a big block swap...I think this car thing is a sickness...

Frank

Pa G 66

Hey, I really appreciate all the thoughtful advice. The overwhelming consensus is to not do a full restoration but fix the things that need it and enjoy the ride. I can appreciate an NCRS restoration but this car seems too good as is to do that. Carpet and top replacement are a must but I think I'm going with the majority and keep her as original as I can while fixing and replacing any worn parts.

I'll put some pictures up so you'll have a better idea of what I am working with (and because I am a proud and happy with it!)

Thanks again, all!

Pa G 66

Just put some pictures on my profile. LMK what you think of her!

capevettes

Looks like a very presentable driver I think you made the right decision. I think the carpets and top is a good start and maybe a little engine compartment spruce up.

Enjoy the 66

Avispa

Just my additional $.02 worth, I made the mistake of letting one of Houston's best antique car restorers get his mitts on my red thing in 1996. Nearly 3 years later I wound up with a museum piece that I really don't enjoy driving, precisely because it's a museum piece. No complaints about the workmanship; the man did what he knew how to do superbly. But for 3 years it was "his" car. And that was the end product..."his" car.

The advice from the others in this thread is good as gold. Fix the small cosmetic stuff that bugs you. Enjoy driving the car. I'm pushing 60 and feel like I've wasted almost 25 years of my life on this thing. This is time God doesn't give back. I should have bought a better quality NOM driver back in 1990 and hotrodded the snot out of it like I wanted to all along: 509 Merlin big block and a Tremec 5 speed.