Restore Or Modify?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chester Arkansas
Restore Or Modify?
Alright everyone i need help.Here is my delima.I have a 1975 t-top with the original engine and 4 speed trans.The car runs and drives.Paint and interior are ruff.Suspension is worn every thing seams to be original there also.Will this car ever be valuable enough to warrant a full resto?Or should i build the car i really want.Or maybe sale this car and buy another that does not have matching numbers.Any thoughts? HELP!
BTEAGUE
BTEAGUE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 1
From: mesa,az
when i wanted a vette to chop to peices for a hotrod i setteled on a 75. in my mind it is never going to be some kind of collectable. don't mean it's not a nice car just that it will never have a large prictag attached. to little power, to many made, not exactly from the golden age of automobiles. .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Build what you want, just keep the parts you remove. The cost for a complete restore, even if you do all the work, will cost more than it will be worth. But who knows what the future will bring, C3's may go nuts in price. It's you car, build it to suit your needs now. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
I agree. Too many made to be truly collectible. Pull the original running gear and stash for future "just in case" and build the car you want and ENJOY IT!!!!!!!!! I would suggest that car will be far more enjoyable with uptodate running gear, suspension, brakes AND POWER!
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eagle WI
Originally Posted by BTEAGUE
Alright everyone i need help.Here is my delima.I have a 1975 t-top with the original engine and 4 speed trans.The car runs and drives.Paint and interior are ruff.Suspension is worn every thing seams to be original there also.Will this car ever be valuable enough to warrant a full resto?Or should i build the car i really want.Or maybe sale this car and buy another that does not have matching numbers.Any thoughts? HELP!
BTEAGUE
BTEAGUE
If the car you really want is a '75 t-top with updated engine/trans/susp., etc - then build what you've already got. You can set all the "matching number" parts aside in case you change your mind and go back to stock later. If you want something else, then sell it now & put your time and $$$ into what it is you really want.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Do like I did. 
Restore the suspension, interior, etc. to original but pull that 165 HP anchor out and put in as much crate engine as you can afford. You could spend $5,000 on a killer engine and end up with more power than an otherwise similar $30,000 chrome bumper car. Just have fun with it. 
Restore the suspension, interior, etc. to original but pull that 165 HP anchor out and put in as much crate engine as you can afford. You could spend $5,000 on a killer engine and end up with more power than an otherwise similar $30,000 chrome bumper car. Just have fun with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Definitely modify to make it the beast of your dreams. I'd personally pay more for a tear killing vette, than a stock restored vette, unless it was a rare one. Being that it's a '75, no point in that at all.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Build It
If I had the decision, i would set the original parts in storage and build to suit my desire! But its your decission. It only cost time and money to do either/or. Have fun and good luck.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Northville MI
I have a 75 Convertable with 35K original miles all stock; I plan to mod the car, not crazy but have fun with it! Cam/heads/exhaust, but I will keep the original block and trans. Would love a crate engine and moth ball the original but I'm running out of garage!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
Build it the way you want it!!
I have a 71 LT1 Vert which I have had since 1974, It is numbers matching and if restored original could be worth big bucks. I fretted over this for a long time and decided to build it the way my son and I wanted it because it would stay in the family. Me and my son are doing a frame off, I am saving all of the original parts. Upgraded the suspension with VB&P parts and QA1 adjustable coil overs/shocks, had a 500 HP stroker built for it., bagged the OEM motor. The way I look at this is that this is what I would have done 30years ago if I had the money. So better enjoy while I can. Heres a pic of the body going back on
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
My '72 convertible was an old show car for some 25 years sitting in garages, shown in mid atlantic region...custom...but I bought it from second owner and then made a hotrod out of it...
sold off all the stock crap including engine and tranny, grill pieces, the works....don't need it anymore, and the experiences are about old cars, all the guys who wanted one as a kid either now HAVE one, or are not caring...so one way or another the prices for these perfect restos are going to crash just as they did for '30's Fords.....UNLESS they are an updated hotrod....
yeh, some old farts like a 4 dr '57 chebby, but what's the resale?? near zilch compared to what they spent....
so have fun, do a hotrod....
GENE
sold off all the stock crap including engine and tranny, grill pieces, the works....don't need it anymore, and the experiences are about old cars, all the guys who wanted one as a kid either now HAVE one, or are not caring...so one way or another the prices for these perfect restos are going to crash just as they did for '30's Fords.....UNLESS they are an updated hotrod....
yeh, some old farts like a 4 dr '57 chebby, but what's the resale?? near zilch compared to what they spent....
so have fun, do a hotrod....
GENE
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
if your leaning to ncrs number matching,just like it came from GM your not gona get any support here. this forum is a unique assemblage of true performance enthusiasts! whether you build it from the inside out(always preferred cause paint is so expensive so save it for last and dont screw it up) or not, if your not going to keep it stock, dont save stuff. you willNEVER go back. the labor alone makes it unrealistic. what i do is change stuff and post it here at 40% of ecklers. i get rid of it and turn on a fellow member to a great deal. but be smart. if your not gona race the car frequently, dont go so radical that if your daily driver goes into the shop you cant use the vette for a full week without major inconveniences. make a schedule and a budget and keep us posted on your progress.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by Glass Act
Build what you want, just keep the parts you remove. The cost for a complete restore, even if you do all the work, will cost more than it will be worth. But who knows what the future will bring, C3's may go nuts in price. It's you car, build it to suit your needs now.
if people knew that 67s would do what they have done 20 years ago, there would be more saved parts. Rod it, but save stuff for the future.
