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78 Pace Car Still "Original?"
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
78 Pace Car Still "Original?"
Hey all,
I am the current steward (third owner) of a 78 Silver Anniversary Pace car (L-82, 4speed) in pretty good shape (original paint, decals in box, #s match). However, I am curious what constitutes "original", and at what point does it give up that designation? For example, I've replaced the water pump, starter, plugs, etc., and the driver's side power window switch.
Best I can tell, the rest is original.
Would appreciate any thoughts (first time poster, so be gentle).
Thx.
I am the current steward (third owner) of a 78 Silver Anniversary Pace car (L-82, 4speed) in pretty good shape (original paint, decals in box, #s match). However, I am curious what constitutes "original", and at what point does it give up that designation? For example, I've replaced the water pump, starter, plugs, etc., and the driver's side power window switch.
Best I can tell, the rest is original.
Would appreciate any thoughts (first time poster, so be gentle).
Thx.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Some people will say thats not an original car anymore. Guess if it ever had the oil filter changed it wouldnt be original anymore either. To me, if you replaced a part with an original equipment manufacturers part, the car would still be original. Parts are gonna wear out!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
Sounds like your car is "highly original".
Original in this hobby seems to be just as delivered, not restored or replaced.
It is often used to describe components as "many original parts", or "mostly original paint."
Steve
Original in this hobby seems to be just as delivered, not restored or replaced.
It is often used to describe components as "many original parts", or "mostly original paint."
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Maybe not repainted, and not re-upholstered, anything else you'd think would be normal mantanence and/or repairs to keep it functional, oil changes, belts filters tires, etc, etc ,etc. Thjey were meant to be driven and things do need to be replaced from time to time. Peace,,,Moosie 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Sounds pretty "original" to me. The date codes on the starter, etc. won't be 'correct', so if you get judged by NCRS [for originality] you might get docked a few points. I'd call it original.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Sounds original to me. Don't know how anyone could expect original plugs, wires and calipers. As said above as long as you use GM parts as long as they are available it's original. How about some pics, would love to see it.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
with the above comments relating to wear and tear and replacement parts. Unless you took a car right off the lot/assembly line and put it into a museum, it won't be "original". What's the point??As a side question, being the 3rd owner, can you be 100% certain that other parts haven't been replaced with OEM or close to parts? Remember, these cars are now 30 years old. Please don't take that as a negative comment.
The way I am dealing with my 78 is that there are certain parts that need to be replaced to make it a safe and reliable car but still using original type parts (rotors, calipers, shocks, steering, etc.) But at the same time, technology has improved things like stereos, e-fans, exhaust systems, 5 speed OD transmissions, etc. that make the car more efficient and enjoyable. It's still a 78 SA at heart, but its life span is greatly increased.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...having a couple Bloomington Gold "Survivor" cars and NCRS "Bowtie" cars myself, I'd say yours is "mostly original".
...to me, a car, as other posters before me have stated, can still be a "maintained original" car. Is it the original paint? Is the interior original? Is the engine compartment original & maintained, but not repainted or "restored"? Is the chassis original & maintained, but not repainted & "restored"?
...you can have an original car, but "maintained". At some point, it won't have it's "original" battery, oil filter, calipers, tires, belts, hoses, shocks, etc., but can still be "mostly original".
...the ONLY all original Corvettes are the ones leaving Bowling Green.
...to me, a car, as other posters before me have stated, can still be a "maintained original" car. Is it the original paint? Is the interior original? Is the engine compartment original & maintained, but not repainted or "restored"? Is the chassis original & maintained, but not repainted & "restored"?
...you can have an original car, but "maintained". At some point, it won't have it's "original" battery, oil filter, calipers, tires, belts, hoses, shocks, etc., but can still be "mostly original".
...the ONLY all original Corvettes are the ones leaving Bowling Green.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
While the verbage may have different meaning to different folks,..to me there are 2 kinds of antique / classic cars; Modified and Original. I guess that leaves room for the Museum pieces,...but for everyday use, I only see "Original",...meaning like it left the factory,..and "Modified",..meaning has been altred from the way it left the factory.
I would call your car an Original.
I would call your car an Original.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
Some people will say thats not an original car anymore. Guess if it ever had the oil filter changed it wouldnt be original anymore either. To me, if you replaced a part with an original equipment manufacturers part, the car would still be original. Parts are gonna wear out!
In short as long as they are replaced with factory correct replacements, and replaced by someone who is not bubba i would consider the car still original, or at least "mostly original" there still are those cars out there that still have the factory oil filter in them.... rare but it happens from time to time. I know a guy with a Pace Car with about 17 miles on it. He was a dealer and ordered it for himself.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Hey all,
I am the current steward (third owner) of a 78 Silver Anniversary Pace car (L-82, 4speed) in pretty good shape (original paint, decals in box, #s match). However, I am curious what constitutes "original", and at what point does it give up that designation? For example, I've replaced the water pump, starter, plugs, etc., and the driver's side power window switch. Best I can tell, the rest is original.
I am the current steward (third owner) of a 78 Silver Anniversary Pace car (L-82, 4speed) in pretty good shape (original paint, decals in box, #s match). However, I am curious what constitutes "original", and at what point does it give up that designation? For example, I've replaced the water pump, starter, plugs, etc., and the driver's side power window switch. Best I can tell, the rest is original.
Think of originality as a continuum with rolling off the floor at the high end and new paint, interior changes, chassis changes, etc at the other end. That's why owners pursue the NCRS 5-star Bowtie award or the Bloomington Gold "Survivor" award to determine the extent to which experienced, informed judges assess the degree of originality of their vehicle.
from what you described...the only items that depart from originality that would earn "deduct's would be the starter and water pump if that helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Maybe not repainted, and not re-upholstered, anything else you'd think would be normal mantanence and/or repairs to keep it functional, oil changes, belts filters tires, etc, etc ,etc. Thjey were meant to be driven and things do need to be replaced from time to time. Peace,,,Moosie
BTW had both my water pump and starter rebuilt so they are original................LT