Replace or Re-Use ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 776
Likes: 96
From: Plymouth MN
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Unmodified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
C1 of the Year Finalist
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Unmodified
Replace or Re-Use ?
Hello -
I have been reading this forum for some time now, and the posts to the various threads have been very helpful in securing my 1st Corvette.
It is a numbers matching 1972 coupe. It is a bit of a fixer upper with the following options: 350/4speed/Bryar Blue Ext and Black Interior
I am the 2nd owner. The car is bone stock without modifications.
I intend to keep it stock, but was wondering if the car loses value if I replace emblems, bumpers .. etc with fresh parts .. or should I clean or re-chrome the originals ?
Thanks in advance. I look forward using my new toy !
Kevin
I have been reading this forum for some time now, and the posts to the various threads have been very helpful in securing my 1st Corvette.
It is a numbers matching 1972 coupe. It is a bit of a fixer upper with the following options: 350/4speed/Bryar Blue Ext and Black Interior
I am the 2nd owner. The car is bone stock without modifications.
I intend to keep it stock, but was wondering if the car loses value if I replace emblems, bumpers .. etc with fresh parts .. or should I clean or re-chrome the originals ?
Thanks in advance. I look forward using my new toy !
Kevin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
Replacing those parts would only have a negative impact if you replaced them with obviously cheaper parts. Basically, the chrome bumpers available today vary greatly based on the chroming process and material used. I have read many complaints about the import bumpers and other parts.
I had my bumpers rechromed by a local company who did an excellent job. I also repainted my old emblems, but you can pick up a GM set for a decent amount.
Good luck,
Dino
I had my bumpers rechromed by a local company who did an excellent job. I also repainted my old emblems, but you can pick up a GM set for a decent amount.
Good luck,
Dino
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I agree. 
Keep and/or refurbish any original parts, if you can. Bumpers can be refinished/rechromed and might cost the same money as aftermarket replacements...but they will also be original and look NEW! Emblems can be repainted to look as good [or better than, with my method] as new. Even seat covers...if not damaged or worn through...can be brought back to almost-new status, if you do the work carefully and know what you're doing. If you have specific 'repairs' you want to do, ask for the DIY approach here on the Forum. You will get a number of different methods to choose from; most will work just fine {some better than others}.
Keep and/or refurbish any original parts, if you can. Bumpers can be refinished/rechromed and might cost the same money as aftermarket replacements...but they will also be original and look NEW! Emblems can be repainted to look as good [or better than, with my method] as new. Even seat covers...if not damaged or worn through...can be brought back to almost-new status, if you do the work carefully and know what you're doing. If you have specific 'repairs' you want to do, ask for the DIY approach here on the Forum. You will get a number of different methods to choose from; most will work just fine {some better than others}.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
What you need to do is decide what you want your car to be rather than what its investment value is.
A highly original car's value is dependent on its condition. If it is rough it is not worth nearly as much as a restored car. If it is near perfect it can be very valuable. A lot of value depends on what options the car has.
A restored car can be valuable based on the quality of the restoration but the cost of restoration can eat up a good portion of that value. If you restore a car to show standards driving it will reduce its value. Most of these cars become trailer queens.
A car that is restored to driver quality is worth far less. They are made safe to drive and are driven for enjoyment.
I would recommend that before you touch the car you read a whole lot and figure what you want to do with the car.
You can drive it and enjoy it.
You can restore it and make it a show car.
You can save it as a time capsule.
You can customize it to what you want it to be.
There is no answer that anyone can give that is right for you.
My preference-Drive it like you stole it!!!!
A highly original car's value is dependent on its condition. If it is rough it is not worth nearly as much as a restored car. If it is near perfect it can be very valuable. A lot of value depends on what options the car has.
A restored car can be valuable based on the quality of the restoration but the cost of restoration can eat up a good portion of that value. If you restore a car to show standards driving it will reduce its value. Most of these cars become trailer queens.
A car that is restored to driver quality is worth far less. They are made safe to drive and are driven for enjoyment.
I would recommend that before you touch the car you read a whole lot and figure what you want to do with the car.
You can drive it and enjoy it.
You can restore it and make it a show car.
You can save it as a time capsule.
You can customize it to what you want it to be.
There is no answer that anyone can give that is right for you.
My preference-Drive it like you stole it!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: HAMILTON,MA.USA
Hello -
I have been reading this forum for some time now, and the posts to the various threads have been very helpful in securing my 1st Corvette.
It is a numbers matching 1972 coupe. It is a bit of a fixer upper with the following options: 350/4speed/Bryar Blue Ext and Black Interior
I am the 2nd owner. The car is bone stock without modifications.
I intend to keep it stock, but was wondering if the car loses value if I replace emblems, bumpers .. etc with fresh parts .. or should I clean or re-chrome the originals ?
Thanks in advance. I look forward using my new toy !
Kevin
I have been reading this forum for some time now, and the posts to the various threads have been very helpful in securing my 1st Corvette.
It is a numbers matching 1972 coupe. It is a bit of a fixer upper with the following options: 350/4speed/Bryar Blue Ext and Black Interior
I am the 2nd owner. The car is bone stock without modifications.
I intend to keep it stock, but was wondering if the car loses value if I replace emblems, bumpers .. etc with fresh parts .. or should I clean or re-chrome the originals ?
Thanks in advance. I look forward using my new toy !
Kevin
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,357
Likes: 5,242
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
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Most of the repro bumpers are junk. I would have your original bumpers rechromed by a quality shop. Good repro emblems like Paragon sells are the way to go if yours are old, faded and pitted.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
with everyone in keeping it original but it always boils down to $$$. Certainly everyone has their own limits that they have to work with. Also there is a big difference between a DD and a trailer queen and to each their own. My 79 is certainly not much of a collector year and I've gone the route of moding it for performance, dependability and DD.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak MI
Nice color, fix it and drive it.
I don't much believe in using the old fasteners, or buying the expensive ones with the correct markings.
I have also upgaded some stuff like new sway bar, adj strut rods etc. I don't know if it will decrease the value but the original stuff was ancient and useless. If some NCRS **** buys it they can spend the big bucks to put the right bolts on it.
I don't much believe in using the old fasteners, or buying the expensive ones with the correct markings.
I have also upgaded some stuff like new sway bar, adj strut rods etc. I don't know if it will decrease the value but the original stuff was ancient and useless. If some NCRS **** buys it they can spend the big bucks to put the right bolts on it.