Hi All,

I've had a strange (and possibly blasphemous) thought running through my mind for the past few weeks. I feel that GM got the '68-69 Corvette right in terms of the 4 gills and fenders without mud flaps. However, I think GM did it better in terms of the rectangular exhaust bezels in '70-72, as well as the beautiful cast metal grille and markers.

What I want to do is cut off the mud flaps from the fenders (to change the shape to the 69 shape) and fibreglass in the 4 gills. Note that I'd put a patch piece in with the 4 gills rather than replace the fenders with earlier unit, so that if someone wanted to return the car to '71 spec one day it just take a dremel and some grinding to allow the egg crates to go back in. I'd leave the factory rectangular exhausts and the '71 grille.

What do you guys think? I've had the suggestion to just buy a '69 Corvette, but then I figure that it's even more blasphemous to fit a '71 grille and exhausts to a '69 than the other way around. Plus I live in Australia - these cars are rare here (you might pay over 60 grand for an okay driver '69).

Am I crazy for wanting to make the car I want it to be, and the way I wish GM had?

 

No not crazy, start slicing. It won't affect value at this point.

BTW, those radio dj's are in some big trouble. I say f-it if ya can't take a joke

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad the spirit of hotrodding isn't dead.

As for those DJs, well, I don't think that anyone who was in a good place would kill themselves over a joke. It was either the last straw that broke the camel's back, or the British media and/or the hospital system were bullying her over it...

 

You own it, do with it what you wish. If it was a matching numbers, rare car, then it might be advisable to care for it and keep it original, but your car sounds like a perfect candidate for improving the way you like it. Good on ya!

Pete

 

Agree, do as you like. As you previously stated, you're probably ahead on the car with the good purchase price; and having lived in Adelaide for 2 years,and seen what these cars command, I would imagine if and when the time comes to sell........you'll still be laughing all the way to the bank.

 

Enjoy, mod it. You say you like to hot rod it?

Say no more.

 

It's your car, you can do what you want with it. However, I wouldn't. Here's why:

1. It is a lot of work. The flares will cut off easily but getting the new fender lips to match up right will be more work than you can imagine.

2. It will be very expensive.
a. You will have to repaint the car. Here that is $5000 to $10,000, depending.
b. Chopping up fenders and trying to match will take a tremendous amount of man-hours. It is far more efficient to take the whole fender panel off and bond on a '68-'69 panel. Of course, those aren't cheap either.

3. You will have to live with it forever, or sell really cheap. Customs are neat but they are customized for you. You don't always find someone who shares your view when it comes time to sell the car.

4. Time-wise, this could take months that you will miss out on driving.

5. It is not easily reversible by you if you change your mind or by the next owner.


If it were me, I'd find a '68 or '69 to buy instead. The grill would be a bolt in item and cutting square exhaust ports in back isn't a major chore, especially compared to what you have planned for your '71.

You won't kill the value (even NOM cars have value) or the ability to even sell (who will want to buy a '71 modified to look like a '69?) when it comes time to sell. We have a lot of cars like that over here, although they are typically older ones modified to look like newer ones, like the rubber bumper front on a '68-'72. It isn't cheap or quick to reverse it for the next owner and that limits who wants it drastically.

I don't want to squash ideas of hot rodding. Just giving out practical side of what you have to expect.

 

Greetings from Long Branch NJ,Americas first seashore resort and 7 time US summer capital....I say go for it if you or your bodyman knows how to work with 'glass if not you will think about it forever ....sure it may not be easy and you may not make all of the mods you want to make....you won't be the first to personalize your ride and get feedback on the mods you have made....don't forget if you go ahead with your ideas we need pictures.
Lee

 

If it were me, I'd find a '68 or '69 to buy instead.




I agree, if that's the look you want, I'd sell and buy one.

 

Theres a reason those flairs were put on by the factory,think about it for a minute,they are worth keeping on . I too think the 68 69 are the best looking ,but if they had flairs like the older ones,your paint would not get messed all up by road rash.

 

Why would you go out and get another car. He got this one cheap and probably knows whats involved with doing the mods. To sell his and get another would probably cost more and take more time out of his driving a corvette. He would have to sell his and then find one he could afford and buy it. That dosen't happen overnight. I also would not classify the car as a custom if he does those mods. I changed the motors in my car is it now considered a custom. Also chopping the fenders to do the mod is not that all time consuming. I've done it.

To the OP knock your self out and have a good time getting the car to the way that makes you happy.

 

Hey, you can't use words like blasphemous on here. Now everyone is leaving the forum to go to their thesaurus.

I'm with most. Do with it what you feel will make it the Vette you want and enjoy. I had a similar situation only mine was half and half. I have a 69 but the PO for whatever reason, after it was involved in a love tap in the front put a 70-72 front clip on it. I toyed with putting flares on the rear because I like the look myself. After much thought, I just ended up putting a 69 clip back on it. Point being, do it your own way. As far as thinking about another owner wanting to bring it back to a 71 style egg crate vs the 69 gills, don't even think about it. That will be that persons problem to figure out.

Terry

 

Thank you everyone for your advice and insights. I guess that I've got a lot to think about.

 

Is it right hand drive?

I hate those egg crates. They would be the first thing to go.

 

You say that you have a non #car, this will mean "low" $ if you will sell. But it will be even lower $ if you make a 71 to a 69

If I was you, then I would buy a 69

 

They really aren't my cup of tea, so to speak. The 4 gills, or the later slot vents are much better looking.


You've kinda right, however this car is in Australia. The originality thing isn't as big a deal here (we're still obsessed with blowers and flames...). The car would probably get 50 grand as is.

With regards to buying a 1969 Corvette, I do agree that it would be cheaper to go that way overall. Unfortunately, the Australia thing kicks me again - there are zero complianced, legal-to-drive big block 1969 Corvettes for sale anywhere in the country.

 

I say cut that sucker up, if that will make you happy. Owning a car you are not happy with sux! Good luck with her, no matter which way you go.

 

There have been a lot of people who have added the flared 70 wheel openings, to 68-69 Corvettes just for this reason. I can't say that I've ever met someone, who went the other way with the wheel openings.

When the 68-69's were new and daily drivers, the paint on the fenders got destroyed almost immediately.

If you want to go for the 68-69 side louvers and wheel openings, I'd buy all new side fenders. It would be far easier and cheaper that way. The body seem and bonding strips are in the exact same location, for all 68-82 Corvettes. Just remove your old fenders at the stock seems, and install the earlier ones in their place.

To do this, you'd want to use the 68-69 side marker lamps too, as the 70 up ones won't fit in the 68-69 lamp openings.

 

You`ve heard the old saying........
"Anybody can restore a car......
but it takes a real man to cut one up!"

 

1. It is the same here in Denamrk, but I am sure that it will change as time goes by. Maybe not as in USA, but I am sure that a "# number" car will sell for bigger $ in the future.

2. Why not buy a std. 350/300 and make it into a BB car?
BB 1969 Corvettes are also very high in prices here in Denmark, but a std. 350/300 is "cheap", so you will have money to spend :-)

Regards,
John