I'm keeping my 78 L-82 4 speed SA stock original...one reason is I'm in Calif and they killed the rolling 30 year exemption for smod tests...the other is I've owned it 26 years and have good ducumentation plus the Vette is all there even the 8 track...so i'm looking for a pre-76 vette for a "mod" go car...that way I can have both..stock and mod..

 

Hey Ross, great to see you're abord. I haven't gotten mine back from the upholstery shop yet. My 'luck' continues. I go away from my area to find a 'big name' shop and agree to pay the extra high bucks to have a top notch shop do the work and wouldn't you know it...their upholstery guy is going thru a messy divorce and has been out of work a lot these past three weeks, so the vette isn't ready, as promised, yet. It's all good however. I saw my heart doctor Wednesday and he freaked out and I'm going into the hospital tomorrow for another heart cath.!! Will probably have to do a stint once in there. It's a b..h getting old. Don't do it if you can help it. Advise from 'grasshopper' to 'master'. I knew your vote would be for custom. and a fine one you have there! Will talk to you when I get back hopefully tomorrow night. I have a garage to keep mine away from the winds...as long as the roof stays on, and if not, well...I have Grundy Collector Car Insurance for $95,000.00 on the vette. I'ed hate to lose it, but that kind of money would ease the pain! Later, Glenn

 

I intentionally buy non matching numbers cars so that I won't feel bad when modding them
I would keep a all original car "all original"..

However, that's the reason that I'm not buying "all original" Vettes

 

Hey Rich, glad to see you're looking for something to 'chop up'
I understand how rough it is in California to do much to the cars you are suspose to own. At least the Govanator can run around in his Humvee without problems. Ain't that the way it always is?!!? By the way, need any 8 track tapes? I can make you a good deal on some. Thanks for your 2c.

 

Hey Oliver, Where do you race? At Bradenton? Those are nice times for a small block. You sure can't get those 60' times over here @ Speedworld except on the weekend they have the track preped for the World Street Car Shootout event. Very nice racevette.

 

modified.

 

I usually race at Bradenton.. Can't get the same 60' times anywhere else..... I'm actually going to try to get into 10's in summer and mid 10's in winter on engine only.. Did several mods that might get me into 10's.. but I'll only find out this Saturday (if it won't get rained out)..

BTW - I usually get 1.55 - 1.58 60' times in Bradenton.. At other tracks, my 60' times are usually 1.62 - 1.75...
I haven't raced yet with the new ignition, spacer and scoop...and had had no runs with the new intake with the timing set right...
In the pic below, I already was in the staging lanes but never got to run to try my new goodies..

 

I am interested.I'll PM you.....
thanx..
Rich

 

 

To borrow words from Steve Erwin "Its a beauty" ...... or...... "Your a fiesty little devil are'nt you"

BLVette75

 

I like them stock and when I get one thats all original I leave it that way. I have a 80 right now without the original motor and severe rust problems that I will customize. A few years back I purchased a 71 and returned that to original but that was worth it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it depends on the car you have to start with.

 

Haha, I've seen your car, and I actually like it. I dunno why, but most of the C2's that I like are modded beyond recognition (lowered, tubbed, flared, gaudy blowers), and most of the C3s 4s 5s and 6s I like look nearly stock (from the outside anyway...)

 

I think I could use a scoop like that. Photoshop Guys!

Oh and definetly stay stock.

 

When I was "lucky" enough 4 yrs ago to find my 79, it was a perfect numbers matching survivor. Problem was that it was a 79. Nuther problem is that EVERYTHING was original stock 24+yrs old, including belts, pumps, etc. If I was going to drive the thing, I had to start replacing parts. After a few months, I got the thing to where it was a very road worthy DD. Problem was that it was a 79 "smog" car that was not particularily responsive when you put the petal to the metal. So, I pulled & stored the original numbers matching engine and replaced it with a completely custom 355. I've never given it much thought. To each their own.

 

Another thing, all the "original" stuff that gets removed from my 79 is either given (most of it) or sold (some of it) to someone who is TRYING to bring another Vette back to factory correct resto. So far my original parts are helping 15-20 cars score points with the NCRS guys

 

I guess the bottom line for me is I would vote to keeping them stock with few exceptions. To me, there is nothing like walking up to a Chrome Bumper Big Block survivor and admiring how the factory built them.



www.bigdogvettes.com

 

you people are destroying perfectly fine automobiles, they were excellent the way they left the factory, nothing can be improved...just destroyed...leave them stock.


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yeah right

 

It's nice to see some honest opinions either way without the sarcasm at least from most posters.

 

On a true 100% stock survivor, I'd call it good as is to preserve the heritage. But I also have no problem with mods either, and a lot of folks on this site have shown very good taste and imagination on their mods to suit their individual wants and needs. There are a lot of very nice rides here, both stock and modified..... and a few WTHIT?

That said, I am facing the same dilema in a way right now on the newest ride that was just delivered 2 weeks ago. It is stock, all matching numbers, has all the factory bells and whistles, was been garaged and very well taken care of its entire life, not raced and is in almost perfect condition. I also have pretty much the complete paper trail on it. But it was painted as soon as it was bought new in 1973, and also had the seats done custom cloth in it at the same time. Somewhere along the line it got these wheels, a sterio system and the A/C upgraded, but otherwise it is all original. Some argue the custom paint/interior since done when brand new is original - I accept the paint as period correct paint for the waining Psychodelic Era, but I don't accept that it can be called original.

So my dilema is how far do I go with mods on it, or do I take it back to original? Mods if not would include Cragar S/S wheels and probably Goodyear W/L tires, but do I go further? Have thought about a repaint even though the 33 year old Pearl Opalescent paint and graphics on it is near perfect. Its an L48, so I have toyed with dropping a bigger engine in it too (don't need the extra power, its just nice knowing its there). But it rides like a dream, is very solid and mechanically strong as is. BTW, will just be a weekend cruiser, not for racing.

Sure is hell buying a C3 with very little to tinker with. Feel I am missing some of the fun I had with my first 5 in my younger days - all 58's and 59's (and all modified). No, I don't have any of them now.

Ladobe

 

I prefer stock, or appearing to be stock. There are some mods that I don't mind, but mostly stock.