Paralyzed by correctness...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
I'm building my car for me, not the next guy. If it does not appreciate as much, so be it. Real estate/stock market for investments. Corvettes for driving.
If I discovered I had some valuable/rare car, I'd restore it. But my car is neither.
If I discovered I had some valuable/rare car, I'd restore it. But my car is neither.
"I'm building my car for ME!" Right on!
I specifically looked and bought a numbers matching car....cause thats what I wanted....pretty stock standard....and I intend to do a few mods..so that my driving pleasure is enhanced!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Originally Posted by CGGorman
I love Jay's philosophy about his collection. If he can't drive them and enjoy them as they were meant to be used, he doesn't have any use for them. "Amen to that", I say. The NCRS mentality is fine for creating museum show pieces, but the soul of the car is often lost in the process. Instead of a heart-pounding performance car from an era long-gone, it becomes a sculpture or a rolling picture-postcard. It's a snapshot in a book instead of an experience to share. I look at the typical NCRS trailer queen and can't but feel sad for the "life" that car leads. If it were to have a soul, it would surely feel caged and depleted...crippled by the need to maintain a facade. With a passionate DRIVER (as opposed to "owner"), a car is just another hunk of pretty-shaped metal.
We only live once. Might as well enjoy it, huh?
w/Jay that these things are meant to be used as they were intended. I think most of us here would agree. And I also think most of us belong to his "club" too. You know, the one he mentioned in passing with his comment about "Im pretty much the president of the more money than brains club". 
Now while we all don't have tons of money, more than one of us is guilty of spending lots more on an old car than perhaps we should. But hey, what fun would it be otherwise?
Oh and as to the original thread question. If you do only mods that can be reversed and keep the old parts, then you can enjoy it how you'd like now and down the road the option to return it to original is still there. Closest thing to the best of both worlds your going to get. FWIW.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Anybody see last week's episode of "Rides"? It featured Jay Leno's discovery and restoration of a 1927 Duesenberg Model X (Of 13 built, only 4 are known to remain). Can you say expensive? He opted to do a "sympathetic restoration" to it because it was in such good condition. One of the anecdotes that I've heard several times is that no matter how well done a restoration is, the car is still only original ONCE. Jay elected to leave the car's interior and paint/body in the as-found condition. It doesn't look BAD, but it also won't be confused with a typical restored car of the same era. The dents, chips, and scratches are all there to tell a story. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=1&c=y
I love Jay's philosophy about his collection. If he can't drive them and enjoy them as they were meant to be used, he doesn't have any use for them. "Amen to that", I say. The NCRS mentality is fine for creating museum show pieces, but the soul of the car is often lost in the process. Instead of a heart-pounding performance car from an era long-gone, it becomes a sculpture or a rolling picture-postcard. It's a snapshot in a book instead of an experience to share. I look at the typical NCRS trailer queen and can't but feel sad for the "life" that car leads. If it were to have a soul, it would surely feel caged and depleted...crippled by the need to maintain a facade. With a passionate DRIVER (as opposed to "owner"), a car is just another hunk of pretty-shaped metal.
We only live once. Might as well enjoy it, huh?
I love Jay's philosophy about his collection. If he can't drive them and enjoy them as they were meant to be used, he doesn't have any use for them. "Amen to that", I say. The NCRS mentality is fine for creating museum show pieces, but the soul of the car is often lost in the process. Instead of a heart-pounding performance car from an era long-gone, it becomes a sculpture or a rolling picture-postcard. It's a snapshot in a book instead of an experience to share. I look at the typical NCRS trailer queen and can't but feel sad for the "life" that car leads. If it were to have a soul, it would surely feel caged and depleted...crippled by the need to maintain a facade. With a passionate DRIVER (as opposed to "owner"), a car is just another hunk of pretty-shaped metal.
We only live once. Might as well enjoy it, huh?
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Mod the heck out of it. 401Ks are for investments, Vettes are for driving. Do what you want with it. Have fun with the car, it is yours. I don't think it will kill the value. A car is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay. When it comes time to sell maybe the buyer will want some good mods.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
It's your car - do what you want to it.
Jay Leno can afford to do virtually anything he wants. He's wealthy enough to have a whole stable of cars, motorcycles, etc. being restored by professionals and never worry about the time or cost. Us everyday stiffs have to worry about stuff.....
Jay Leno can afford to do virtually anything he wants. He's wealthy enough to have a whole stable of cars, motorcycles, etc. being restored by professionals and never worry about the time or cost. Us everyday stiffs have to worry about stuff.....
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Unless your dealing with an L-88 or other rare BB or something like that the difference between a matching and non-matching numbers motor is not going to make you rich, at least not any time soon. I say don't worry about it. You could always put the motor on a stand.
In my opinion one mint codition car from each year/model of Corvette should be sent to Bowling Green and preserved for future generations so that people can see how they came off the line. Every other Vette should be driven.
Joe
In my opinion one mint codition car from each year/model of Corvette should be sent to Bowling Green and preserved for future generations so that people can see how they came off the line. Every other Vette should be driven.
Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
The stock vettes (especially the 71 in question) came with decent
power from the factory. If I had a 71 numbers matching - I
would keep it that way. The prices for original chromies are
skyrocketing. Find a better candidate to modify. Don't twist
it's soul into thinking it is happy.
power from the factory. If I had a 71 numbers matching - I
would keep it that way. The prices for original chromies are
skyrocketing. Find a better candidate to modify. Don't twist
it's soul into thinking it is happy.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
froze?
Don’t be paralyzed… enjoy the dilemma! I too have #’s matching base package '71 but with headers and I like what I paid for. A new cam & heads are in my future plus freshening up the suspension & brakes but I’ll save all the original stuff. I want it to be worth more as time goes by but I want it to be much more for me, too!
I've come to look at it this way: it’s a great car to “tweak” mechanically and this forum’s just super for suggestions and support. Tell me of any other hobby that makes you feel good and go fast that has the same lines as a C-3?
I've come to look at it this way: it’s a great car to “tweak” mechanically and this forum’s just super for suggestions and support. Tell me of any other hobby that makes you feel good and go fast that has the same lines as a C-3?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
I think they made my car correct, I like original parts, it is cool, I even like having only one side mirror, The first thing people say when they get in is where is the mirror. I like the fake grills on a 63, why because I can tell them why they are there, if you do not know, it is a good history lesson. Any car can have 18 inch wheels and non standard headers, but unless you are driving it on a smooth track at top speed, will you ever need those mods? I do not plan to sell mine either, oh yes add a few things that didn't come original, like chrome or aluminum valve covers, padded arm rest, etc. Original capabilities are more than enough for me. Keep it simple and keep it original. That is my advice, take it for what it cost you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
My cars block has zz in the numbers so i dont care about originality i even took out the original air to save weight. of course on my dads 66 when i help him we do everyhting with nos parts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120,798
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte NC
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Bangkok Dean
I would mod most everything except the body but that’s my opinion
My wife's '74 is a poster child for modaholics, but we don't plan to sell it either.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
You know what, I think that we ought to end this post this way. Do what you want with the car. Mod the heck out of it. It is YOUR car, who cares what everyone else thinks. So if you want to modify it, modify it. If you don't, well then don't. Have fun with it. I assume that you bought it to drive it and have fun with it......probably not for an investment. So treat it as such. Treat it as a big boys (or girls) toy and have some fun!!!! 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by seventyeightcorvette
You know what, I think that we ought to end this post this way. Do what you want with the car. Mod the heck out of it. It is YOUR car, who cares what everyone else thinks. So if you want to modify it, modify it. If you don't, well then don't. Have fun with it. I assume that you bought it to drive it and have fun with it......probably not for an investment. So treat it as such. Treat it as a big boys (or girls) toy and have some fun!!!!