What To Do
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
What To Do
Talking with my wife tonight, she suggested that I finish our 1968 C3 convertible back to original. I am in the process of a frame off and she really wants a C2. She feels that if I restore the car back to original we would be able to sell it for an amount that would allow us to buy a C2 that needs work. Hummmm. I really want to make it my own. It is a numbers matching car with a 327/350HP, M21, 370 Dif. All the little pieces are there. It really could be brought back to original. But probably better than factory. The tag says it was Corvette Bronze with Dark Orange interior, not my favorite combo. I would like to keep the original motor and replace it with a 383, Motion paint scheme (Dark Blue/White stripe), L-88 hood and black interior. I guess the question is, is she on track with this line of thinking. Does this make sense? Will a restored car to factory spec bring more on resale than a better than factory car. Please provide your opinions, I can take it.
Last edited by twinpack; Oct 22, 2010 at 09:53 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 10
From: Richmond Va
Here are my thoughts: If you are restoring it to sell it, take it back original. If you plan on keeping the car, then make it what you want. Put the motor on a stand and drop in your stroker and drive it like you stole it. I'm in a similar spot. I found a 69 cvt from the original owner. Numbers matching, factory side pipes etc. I am going to keep the car forever, but the factory color is Monaco Orange. I can't handle the color. If I was going to sell it one day, then yes, it would be orange. But, I'm in the middle of a tear down. My motor is going on a stand and a 383 will go in its place. Good luck. Not a bad spot to be in either. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
I like Your thinking keep the orig. motor aside. I think once Your done and You are driving it You wont want a C2 not sure about Your wife though? One thing that You may want to consider, which has got Me stumped for colour. If You keep the black top and paint the car dark blue, the white motion stripe will look out of place. Thats the combo I originally wanted to do until one day I put the top up and put white paper to see what it looks like. To Me it was bad and everyone I asked disliked it also. I have since been considering gloss black with a dark metalic gold motion stripe. Anyhow thats just My opinion. I think if You do the true #'s matching You will run the cost through the roof and You could just go out and buy a C2 driver instead.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
If your car's 100% matching, I'd say keep it stock as possible and sell it for the best money to finance a C2 project. Kind of killing two bird's at once, as your wife's also into the hobby and since you're wanting to do a car just for you, an all original C2 really isn't a priority, and should reflect in the purchase price. You didn't mention the extent of work needed on your present C3, but should go pretty far toward's a pretty clean C2, so you don't have to do everything twice.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
If your car's 100% matching, I'd say keep it stock as possible and sell it for the best money to finance a C2 project. Kind of killing two bird's at once, as your wife's also into the hobby and since you're wanting to do a car just for you, an all original C2 really isn't a priority, and should reflect in the purchase price. You didn't mention the extent of work needed on your present C3, but should go pretty far toward's a pretty clean C2, so you don't have to do everything twice.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
I like Your thinking keep the orig. motor aside. I think once Your done and You are driving it You wont want a C2 not sure about Your wife though? One thing that You may want to consider, which has got Me stumped for colour. If You keep the black top and paint the car dark blue, the white motion stripe will look out of place. Thats the combo I originally wanted to do until one day I put the top up and put white paper to see what it looks like. To Me it was bad and everyone I asked disliked it also. I have since been considering gloss black with a dark metalic gold motion stripe. Anyhow thats just My opinion. I think if You do the true #'s matching You will run the cost through the roof and You could just go out and buy a C2 driver instead.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi tp,
Just a thought.....
I found that after doing a full blown restoration I really only had ONE of those in me.
If you do your present car justice so you can get the money for it you need to, will you be ready to start all over again with your newly bought mid-year?
Regards,
Alan
Just a thought.....
I found that after doing a full blown restoration I really only had ONE of those in me.
If you do your present car justice so you can get the money for it you need to, will you be ready to start all over again with your newly bought mid-year?
Regards,
Alan
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
Hi tp,
Just a thought.....
I found that after doing a full blown restoration I really only had ONE of those in me.
If you do your present car justice so you can get the money for it you need to, will you be ready to start all over again with your newly bought mid-year?
Regards,
Alan
Just a thought.....
I found that after doing a full blown restoration I really only had ONE of those in me.
If you do your present car justice so you can get the money for it you need to, will you be ready to start all over again with your newly bought mid-year?
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
Maybe I'm missing something.... If you plan to spend 25k to get your car ready to sell for 25k then cut your losses and sell it as is.... Take whatever you get for the 68 "as is" and add the 25k you planed to spend to finish it and start look for a C2.
Last edited by Cajun-in-tx; Oct 23, 2010 at 11:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 17
From: Newport News VA
I am the wrong person to ask. I have a view that is probably unpopular here. When I see one of these old girls with matching numbers, then I like to see them restored to where you only have bolt on parts that deviate from factory original. Also what kind of C2 did you have in mind? Because even at 40 grand it would need quite a bit of work to make it very nice. How do you see your future? Do you see yourself with a C3 or C2 in the long run. You also have to figure how much it would take to bring the 68 to the point of top dollar. Will the money you spent bring enough of a return. Would you have been better off just doing a few things to it and letting it go. Reso cost plus what you have in it bring enough of a return or save all the resto money and get what you can out of the 68 and use that plus saved resto money on a C2
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
I would love to be able to due just that. But reality is I will be spending out of pocket money over time, not going to the well for it. So on resale I would have a lump some to work with as well as the next couple of years experience.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 361
From: Monson MA
I live by this rule. I work on building points every day and when I decide to cash them in, like on a project like this, I have a high success rate. It's alway a give and take approach that works in relationships. You seem to get it.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Build the C3 the way you want and build a C2 they way you want. Remember C2 or C3 both have terrible rides for city driving but not bad when your on the highway.
Everything comes in time
Good Luck
Everything comes in time
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
The trouble with selling a custom is that you need to find someone who has the same taste as you. A custom will generally only appeal to the builder. The caveat is the kind of cars you see at Barrett Jackson but they are generally not too radical or all Pro-Touring since that is the new craze.
As a general rule, a restored to stock car will be easier to sell and will bring higher $$$.
As a general rule, a restored to stock car will be easier to sell and will bring higher $$$.
