Original or modded?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: North Little Rock Arkansas
Original or modded?
Lets take a Poll.
Do you keep your vette all original as much as possible because you are interested in its value, or do you modd it out with new engine, exhaust,stereo system,different rims etc...?
Do you keep your vette all original as much as possible because you are interested in its value, or do you modd it out with new engine, exhaust,stereo system,different rims etc...?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 32,519
Likes: 1
From: central America
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have kept my car original on the outside (for now), and modded up underneath to an extent. When I rebuilt the engine, I used the original block, heads, crank and rods. I did swap a different intake on, so that looks different then the standard orange cast manifold. I'm twisted between doing what I want to the car, and restoring the car to what it was originally. since I want to go fast and have more power, the car is going more towards modded, and less original (have you ever really driven hard on bias-ply tires? not for the weak at heart.) I fall inbetween. I try to keep all the drivetrain and motor stuff original, and mod out all the rest of the stuff that's easier to store in a garge.
trw
trw
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
My car was lacking all original partsanyway so I am one for modding in a tasteful way. I like to think of them as enhancements. Very little will change with the outwards appearance (except rims, a paint job and maybe updated gauges / cluster and stereo). Performance will all be updated over time.
Original beauty plus enhancements is basically what I am going for.
Shane
Original beauty plus enhancements is basically what I am going for.
Shane
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
i've modded mine to the way i see fit.. keeping the wheels and exterior stock (except the spinner center caps) but the nterior and engine are not stock...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
When you say original, are you speaking of having the original alt/starter etc. all rebuilt when the time comes instead of just replacing them 
While I admire an original C3, mine was far from it when I bought it so I keep the mods moving forward
While I admire an original C3, mine was far from it when I bought it so I keep the mods moving forward
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
THere was another thread on this not long ago.
I like mine basically original looking-add wheels, tires, stereo, but no wild graphics, flares, scoops, etc. Then add modern driveline TPI, LT1, or LS1 and an OD transmission of some sort. Stuff that makes the car more driveable, but is removable without heavy mods to the shell.
I like mine basically original looking-add wheels, tires, stereo, but no wild graphics, flares, scoops, etc. Then add modern driveline TPI, LT1, or LS1 and an OD transmission of some sort. Stuff that makes the car more driveable, but is removable without heavy mods to the shell.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 646
From: manalapan new jersey
i think it all depends on the model/year of the car i think if you have a 68-72 matching #'s it will be foolish to customize it due to the value of those vettes but if u got 74-82 non matching #'s then is a different story
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Modded like crazy!
My goal is to keep it looking as stock as possible while making the car as modern as possible.
See my signiture for what I have done.
Yes I am am happy with the result, but if had it to do all over again, I'd keep it totally stock and then buy a used C5 for something fast that handles good.
my '68 has lost something special becuase of all the mods. When I drive it now I lose that magical feeling of being transported back to 1968. Now it's just an old car trying to be new. If it were totally stock much less would be expected of it, the joy would be in cruising, not going fast.
Another thing I regret is that most after market parts are crap! If it doesn't say GM on it you are almost guaranted that it won't fit right, and won't last long.
By the time I'm done with my car I'll have almost as much money into as it would have cost to buy a restored L-88
But after spending that much money all I have is none matching '68 BB vert worth a fraction of what I put into it.
good thing I don't plan on selling it
~Jay
My goal is to keep it looking as stock as possible while making the car as modern as possible.
See my signiture for what I have done.
Yes I am am happy with the result, but if had it to do all over again, I'd keep it totally stock and then buy a used C5 for something fast that handles good.
my '68 has lost something special becuase of all the mods. When I drive it now I lose that magical feeling of being transported back to 1968. Now it's just an old car trying to be new. If it were totally stock much less would be expected of it, the joy would be in cruising, not going fast.
Another thing I regret is that most after market parts are crap! If it doesn't say GM on it you are almost guaranted that it won't fit right, and won't last long.
By the time I'm done with my car I'll have almost as much money into as it would have cost to buy a restored L-88
But after spending that much money all I have is none matching '68 BB vert worth a fraction of what I put into it.
good thing I don't plan on selling it
~Jay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
The original engine and trans were long gone by the time I got my 81, so that wasn't really a priority. Besides, whose gonna CARE if a 1981 C3 is all original? 
A nicely built 4-bolt 350, overdrive trans and a Mag Red paint job later, she's only gonna get less original as we go.
A nicely built 4-bolt 350, overdrive trans and a Mag Red paint job later, she's only gonna get less original as we go.
Last edited by Xakk; Sep 8, 2005 at 03:33 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 87
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Original for me. I just like the feel of a car that drives like the old days.
IF I wanted a hotrod, I would have gotten a C4 again. That was a fun car also.
IF I wanted a hotrod, I would have gotten a C4 again. That was a fun car also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Originally Posted by Jay M
my '68 has lost something special becuase of all the mods. When I drive it now I lose that magical feeling of being transported back to 1968. Now it's just an old car trying to be new
~Jay
~Jay
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 646
From: manalapan new jersey
Originally Posted by sb69coupe
This is precisely why I am in the "Original" camp. I get a real kick out of cruising around in a car that looks almost exactly like it did in 1969 (except for radial tires). Sure, most every modded C3 on the forum may handle, brake, and accellerate better than my lowly old 1969 L-46. Good thing that kind of stuff really doesn't matter to me. If I wanted a better handling, faster, smoother riding car I'd sell the '69 and buy a used C5 for about the same amount of cash.
