I'm getting a new scanner shortly so I can show before pics & explain what I did to my firewall and motor on a thread....
Hot Rod Corvettes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: Shoshone Idaho
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 287
From: Ocala FL
I would be surprised if anybody here would argue that an original Corvette is worth more then a modified one. As long as I've been here I haven't noticed anybody with a modded car bragging about it being worth more. But I do know there are a lot of people on here who buy their cars to enjoy, the way they want them. To each his own. Not everybody buys a Corvette as an investment. And that being said, I'm glad there are those like the NCRS members who preserve the finer cars.
Granted, they are not your ordinary custom cars, built in your typical backyard garage, but then, they are custom Corvettes, each and every one.
Usually, a modified Corvette will bring less money than an original of the same type, model, etc. But not always.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
To put my earlier comments further in scope, I must say that I like the looks of the original cars and don't want to change the outward appearance of mine but as far as engine internals and suspension mods anything goes. I have owned a bunch of old muscle cars and the one thing they all had in common is stock they all drove like cement mixers. Build quality, panel fit, welds etc were all horrendously poor! I like mine to look, perform and be assembled not the way it came but how the factory would have wanted.
Cheers
-A
Cheers
-A
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,948
Likes: 3,315
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
I think what you start with has a lot to do with which direction it goes too. My "plain jane" 71 350/270hp auto did not have the matching number engine and never would...so I "Modded" it the way I wanted it. My "plain jane" 81 4 speed had everything matching with 77,000+ original miles and was correct in every way. It is getting a complete resto with no mods
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Onley VA
I knew I was going to mod mine like a mad man, so I intentionaly looked for a base engine, auto, already non-original car. It was, except that it was more original then I intended, but due to some damage, it didn't matter.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
After driving my more or less stock Vette for 35 years I wanted to keep driving it, so I modernized it. Most old houses have toilets and running water instead of outhouses. I brought my Vette up to more modern tech standards so I could continue to drive it and have some fun! 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I remember when Corvette ownership was about the experience, not status or investment. And, I've gotten much more enjoyment out of my modified '78 SA than anyone who thinks I've ruined it's "value" (yeah, right) could have ever had by keeping its numbers matched.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Lawson Missouri
Restored vettes are great,but not all of them can be practically restored.Not all years are worth more stock.(depends on how it is done.) I love to see a restored vette at the show but I will not look at all 20 of the stockers lined up together just to see a few different options.I am drawn to the customs and like to see something new and different.If my vette was restorable though,I would have restored it.
(71BB 4spd convertable) It would have been worth something and still had some performance.Nobody wants the civic with the fartcan to give them a run in their stock 78 vette.No matter what the year or worth ,it's a vette and screams performance!Some scream for a little more Hp when the fast rice burners come around.
(71BB 4spd convertable) It would have been worth something and still had some performance.Nobody wants the civic with the fartcan to give them a run in their stock 78 vette.No matter what the year or worth ,it's a vette and screams performance!Some scream for a little more Hp when the fast rice burners come around.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Dayum, litevette, I really like the mod in that last pic!
I'm pulling a running numbers matching engine and tranny for replacement with a solid roller monster. I will be making extensive mods - complete color change, diff swap, etc. but will be making no changes that cannot be reversed, so if for some crazy reason the value of late C-3's goes crazy, I'll always be able to take mine back to where it started.
I don't think you find many mid-year or chrome bumper car owners that go as crazy with mods as a lot of the mid-70's owners do.
Bottom line, though - it's your car, your money, do it the way you want.
I'm pulling a running numbers matching engine and tranny for replacement with a solid roller monster. I will be making extensive mods - complete color change, diff swap, etc. but will be making no changes that cannot be reversed, so if for some crazy reason the value of late C-3's goes crazy, I'll always be able to take mine back to where it started.
I don't think you find many mid-year or chrome bumper car owners that go as crazy with mods as a lot of the mid-70's owners do.
Bottom line, though - it's your car, your money, do it the way you want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 9
From: Fairport NY
My investments are in stocks, mutual funds, bonds, etc.. that helps support my hobbies. So if I want $2M to retire I would need to own 40 1967 327 vettes that I couldn't drive at $50K a piece so that I could retire. Yeah right. I would never purchase a car on the speculation that I would sell it in 20 years so I could retire. For me the fun is in being creative with my vette and building to my requirements, not recreating something that was built in a factory 30-40 years. Rod
Last edited by Red73; May 4, 2007 at 08:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Hot Rod Vette's are what you do with some of your *real* investment money. If you're in this hobby to just make money....please find another hobby...you're not doing anyone any favors. Just keeps more folks from being able to enjoy a Vette to drive....not look at. These things are FUN!!
Now of course I know it's your money and you can do as you please...and don't get me wrong...I love to look at original Vette's...for a little while.....but after that...I'm off looking for something with a little flair.
But I doubt you were trying to start a war here.....what you said was absolutely true and correct......the vast majority of the time a properly restored car will bring more than a hot rod one. But as mentioned above....my heirs can worry about such things. I'll be out having fun with mine as long as I can.
I like to take them out and show folks how they earned that reputation we all enjoy...that they were the fastest thing in their day...and can do even better these days! While still looking fantastic!!
JIM
Now of course I know it's your money and you can do as you please...and don't get me wrong...I love to look at original Vette's...for a little while.....but after that...I'm off looking for something with a little flair.
But I doubt you were trying to start a war here.....what you said was absolutely true and correct......the vast majority of the time a properly restored car will bring more than a hot rod one. But as mentioned above....my heirs can worry about such things. I'll be out having fun with mine as long as I can.
I like to take them out and show folks how they earned that reputation we all enjoy...that they were the fastest thing in their day...and can do even better these days! While still looking fantastic!!
JIM
[/IMG]My 73 was almost stock,190 hp ,I just couldn't keep it that way but if I had a L-88 I might keep it stock