Does repainting hurt car's value?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
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From: Schererville IN
NCRS doesn't judge 'survivor' or even use that word in any judging event. The R in NCRS stands for 'restore'. You're thinking of Bloomington.
www.ncrs.org
www.ncrs.org
Bloomington
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I appreciate all of these replies. I like having other points of view to consider. I almost hate to ask but the convertible top needs replaced too. Should I? The hardtop is OK. This is the rarest car I'll ever own. It's a one owner car. I didn't even title it yet. Another should I question,Should I title it?? I have 2 other corvettes that I drive so I don't need to drive this one.(other than driveway or around the block etc). It's funny but when I was younger I would of put chrome on the engine but I like these Orange valve covers just the way they are. I just do not want to do anything to hurt the value of the car, I am knew to having something that may actually be a collectible.(454, 4 spd) Another question is what about the front bumper. Does it hurt the value if one puts on a new truefex? Even I know that the originals were not UV resistant that's why they crumble.
Thank you guys for helping me with my questions.
Thank you guys for helping me with my questions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
As others have said - you are crossing the line between "survivor" and "restored" with every "fix".
Only you are the final arbitor. Were it me, I'd try a touch up on the chips and buff.
-W
Only you are the final arbitor. Were it me, I'd try a touch up on the chips and buff.
-W
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
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From: Savannah GA
You should definitely title it in your name, and insure it as well. Without clear title the question of actual ownership could rear its ugly head should a relative of the PO decide to pursue "his" car, or should the thing be stolen and recovered. A real "agreed value" policy through a company which specializes in "collector" vehicles will provide peace of mind every time there's a thunderstorm or bump in the night.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Even if your car's resale value does not go up that much with a shiny new paint job...just think of all the $15 trophies you will get at the local beauty contests. The ooh...ahh crowd will stop and say "the car looks brand new!" 
PS: My 43 year old paint job still looks pretty good...and I am never going to be the one to change it. The car show crowd can keep their cheap-azz trophies and I'll keep my hundreds of rock chips.
PS: My 43 year old paint job still looks pretty good...and I am never going to be the one to change it. The car show crowd can keep their cheap-azz trophies and I'll keep my hundreds of rock chips.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I appreciate all of these replies. I like having other points of view to consider. I almost hate to ask but the convertible top needs replaced too. Should I? The hardtop is OK. This is the rarest car I'll ever own. It's a one owner car. I didn't even title it yet. Another should I question,Should I title it?? I have 2 other corvettes that I drive so I don't need to drive this one.(other than driveway or around the block etc). It's funny but when I was younger I would of put chrome on the engine but I like these Orange valve covers just the way they are. I just do not want to do anything to hurt the value of the car, I am knew to having something that may actually be a collectible.(454, 4 spd) Another question is what about the front bumper. Does it hurt the value if one puts on a new truefex? Even I know that the originals were not UV resistant that's why they crumble.
Thank you guys for helping me with my questions.
Thank you guys for helping me with my questions.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
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it sounds like what you have there is not a survivor, but a kinda beat up old car that needs a little work to be a really nice car. Big difference
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If you own a true 'survivor' vehicle, there may be a handful of folks that really prize such a commodity. You may be one of them.
For all the rest of us, a new paint job on a survivor-like car is an asset, as we don't value a worn-out car, all that much.
When I see a 'survivor' car at a car show, I stop and look out of curiosity....not because I am enthralled with it. Mostly I wonder "Why would anyone leave a car like this?" I think only dyed-in-the-wool purists and some Bloomington Gold folks really appreciate a survivor car for what it is.
For all the rest of us, a new paint job on a survivor-like car is an asset, as we don't value a worn-out car, all that much.
When I see a 'survivor' car at a car show, I stop and look out of curiosity....not because I am enthralled with it. Mostly I wonder "Why would anyone leave a car like this?" I think only dyed-in-the-wool purists and some Bloomington Gold folks really appreciate a survivor car for what it is.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 13
From: New Bern NC
Thats the problem we have as Americans, we always want shiny and new, we lack the appreciation of the old. We destroy beautiful old buildings to put up a metal and glass structure. Look at our new cars today. They lack the styling and attitude that the old ones had. We lack the historic stone towns and brick buildings that make parts of Europe fun to just walk through for the simply fact we want "new".
Dont do anything to the car till you have verified if its a survivor or not. Once you make changes its too late. If its a survivor do what I want to do...buy another C3 that isnt a surviver and tinker with her. That way I have the best of both worlds, a factory original and a modded show car.
Dont do anything to the car till you have verified if its a survivor or not. Once you make changes its too late. If its a survivor do what I want to do...buy another C3 that isnt a surviver and tinker with her. That way I have the best of both worlds, a factory original and a modded show car.
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Don't do anything to the car till you have verified if its a survivor or not. Once you make changes its too late. If its a survivor do what I want to do...buy another C that isn't a surviver and tinker with her]
I appreciate everyone helping me learn about "survivor & restored" I have a lot to learn.
I hate to keep asking questions but the more you guys reply the more I think to ask. What happens when the exhaust is replaced but a "factory style kit" is put on? So it will look factory and not be modified, just a new replacement. Another dumb question is my car still has the chrome cover over the distributor but it's a little rusty. What do I do about that? Don't worry like I said I will not do anything until I know.
Last edited by superdave269; May 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Some of these "official" survivor cars still have the original exhaust systems on them. They may be mostly rust by now, but that's they way they like it. Those who do replace them try to do it exactly as the factory built it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Thats the problem we have as Americans, we always want shiny and new, we lack the appreciation of the old. We destroy beautiful old buildings to put up a metal and glass structure. Look at our new cars today. They lack the styling and attitude that the old ones had. We lack the historic stone towns and brick buildings that make parts of Europe fun to just walk through for the simply fact we want "new".
Dont do anything to the car till you have verified if its a survivor or not. Once you make changes its too late. If its a survivor do what I want to do...buy another C3 that isnt a surviver and tinker with her. That way I have the best of both worlds, a factory original and a modded show car.
Dont do anything to the car till you have verified if its a survivor or not. Once you make changes its too late. If its a survivor do what I want to do...buy another C3 that isnt a surviver and tinker with her. That way I have the best of both worlds, a factory original and a modded show car.
Also, I've been to Europe, (spent a year and a half there in the military) and those "quaint, old, stone towns" aren't as old as you think, usually.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
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From: OK
Hey Dave....if your car is original unrestored it will have laquer paint..no base coat clear coat....so, if you buff it be careful you can burn thru or even rub thru the paint pretty easily.....I would not change a dang thing on that car other than a real good cleaning inside and out.....maybe have a professional buff the paint out for you if it needs it. and fix or repair what you can and leave it stock.....it's only ORIGINAL one time..............................
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hey Dave....if your car is original unrestored it will have laquer paint..no base coat clear coat....so, if you buff it be careful you can burn thru or even rub thru the paint pretty easily.....I would not change a dang thing on that car other than a real good cleaning inside and out.....maybe have a professional buff the paint out for you if it needs it. and fix or repair what you can and leave it stock.....it's only ORIGINAL one time..............................
You are able to touch up paint, change some parts and do some repairs and still qualify as a survivor. Check the judging requirements. 454 4 speed survivor, 2nd owner are all +'s and would lean me toward leaving it. Value is in it's original condition on the right car.
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I wish I started this thread before I sent the bumpers out. They were no longer shiny but not dented, just dull. I guess I learned the by mistake, as usual.Hope everyone enjoys their Holiday today. God Bless!