It's your car, make it yours. 
forget originality?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
forget originality?
My 71 has original 454, white paint, brown sadle interior, but the complete frame and trans have been changed to 4-speed. Since the frame/trans are not original anymore, does that just ruin it all and I shouldnt care anymore and can change the paint and interior colors with out feeling bad about it? I most likely will keep the car for a very long time if not forever, so the value aspect is not too important. I'm doing everything myself so its not like I am going to have a fortune invested it the car either. So how about a vote, stay white and brown/sadle? or go bridge hampton blue and black deluxe? BTW the car will be getting painted and seats,carpet,door panels replaced regardless. So color change cost and effort would only be dyeing the rest of the interior.
Last edited by 71coupe454; Feb 16, 2009 at 02:48 PM.
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
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,248
From: Westminster Maryland
I'm as strong a believer in 'keep it original as almost anyone. BUT it's your car and you should ENJOY it your way!!!
My 71 had 69 side-exhaust and a Holley on it in 71 and it still does...because that's the way I like it.
Regards,
Alan
My 71 had 69 side-exhaust and a Holley on it in 71 and it still does...because that's the way I like it.
Regards,
Alan
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,972
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Of course you can do anything you like. The fact remains that changing the color/interior is significantly reducing the value of the car. Your post sounds like you have made up your mind and you are wanting people to agree with you. CF is definitely the place for that, but don't pretend the value does not take a serious hit. Tranny change or not, a numbers matching big block car has more value than a run of the mill SB, and the car will lose about the cost of a paint job and another interior change when you are done.
Do whatever makes you happy, but don't kid yourself that it doesn't matter. Also, keep in mind many of us have told ourselves many, many times that "I'll be keeping this car." Not usually how it turns out.
Do whatever makes you happy, but don't kid yourself that it doesn't matter. Also, keep in mind many of us have told ourselves many, many times that "I'll be keeping this car." Not usually how it turns out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 865
Likes: 53
forget
I'm in the same boat . It's either original , and thats ALL original , or it's not . If it isn't original , and it would take a lot to make it original , you might as well make it as you like it . Thats what I'm doing . Nothing crazy ,
but different color , headers , manifold , carb . I just got a 14" steering wheel , I love it .
but different color , headers , manifold , carb . I just got a 14" steering wheel , I love it .
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
I think that we all have to do what makes up happy with our cars. For me it would depend on how original it already was. I would never modify a BB chrome bumper that was all original or mostly orgiinal, but if the mod's had already been started, what the heck. Make that car into the car that puts a smile on your face to own and drive.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
I think that we all have to do what makes up happy with our cars. For me it would depend on how original it already was. I would never modify a BB chrome bumper that was all original or mostly orgiinal, but if the mod's had already been started, what the heck. Make that car into the car that puts a smile on your face to own and drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 776
Likes: 96
From: Plymouth MN
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Unmodified
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.... if you are going to hang onto it for a while, the next guy will want to repaint it anyways. so paint it the color you like & let the next guy repaint it to original. but if you wanted to hedge your bet, blue with saddle would look nice
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
you say you won't sell it, but you eventually will, and then you will regret changing the color etc.... it will effect resaleability, it costs alot of money to paint a vette, painting it the wrong color is usually money down the drain when it comes time to sell...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If it originally has an automatic tranny in it, then there have been substantial changes already and worrying about the color is really a waste of time. Make it like you want it. (personally, i don't care for the black interior with BH blue exterior; IMO, it's better with blue interior, too!) Have fun! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Vettebuyer, you are probally pretty close with a lot of that..lol but really I was thinking that with the whole frame and trans gone that it would for sure exclude everybody/anybody that wants original from ever buying it and paying anything for it. So do you really think that paint/interior hurts it just as bad even with something so major already against it? This all kinda sucks because I was going to keep it automatic and all original. But I didnt know any better and didnt catch the crossmember difference when I bought it. The guy told me that the frame was stripped/painted/rebuilt, but he left out that it was another frame that they did all that to. He was in a bad spot and desperate I guess. He paid more in the last year to the shop it was in than what I paid him for car. And yes when your trying to talk yourself into something it helps when you have others to cheer you on.. thanks evrybody.. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
If you could truely get 100 grand for your car, I would tell you leave it alone. Since most can't, then go for it. You can always change it back and 90% of the big buck cars have been repainted anyway.
I changed mine from beige to black and I know I could sell it easier now being black than when it was beige.
I like your new color more than your original
I changed mine from beige to black and I know I could sell it easier now being black than when it was beige.
I like your new color more than your original
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
i look at it this way,
its my car. i can do with it as i please. if i ever decide to sell. then someone who wants it the way it sits will give me what i am asking for it numbers matching or not, correct paint or not.
id rather drive my NOM than trailer a ncrs correct anyday
its my car. i can do with it as i please. if i ever decide to sell. then someone who wants it the way it sits will give me what i am asking for it numbers matching or not, correct paint or not.
id rather drive my NOM than trailer a ncrs correct anyday
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
This is a personal opinion mind you, but i don't think C-3's were really tailor made for #'s matching because many tend to be a little underpowered (not cool), etc. I do think they are perfectly suited to be a great jumping off point to customize your ideal look and drivetrain. I'd go with what you like all the way. As an added bonus you plan to keep the car so resale value doesn't seem to be a priority. Besides, unless like 50% of them get blown up I don't think the #'s matching C-3's are going to go way up in value anytime soon. And since you are already behind the 8-ball on the original drivetrain...
Again, just my opinion... enjoy your car!
I think the blue with the black is a sweet combo btw
Again, just my opinion... enjoy your car!
I think the blue with the black is a sweet combo btw
Last edited by Dantana; Feb 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL