I definitely like stock Corvettes. However, I still like tastefully modified versions as well. Cars that appear stock that have some undetectable performance tweaks are alot of fun to drive. Otherwise stock Corvettes that have had period correct options added are also appealing

 

My preference is stock. Even an aftermarket radio violates the car in my opinion.

corvettes are in a different class; to be kept pristine and original. A blower sticking out of the hood violates the lines of a Vette. Underhood bling, aftermarket rims and other modifications just doesnt look right to me. If changes are to be made, make them subtle. Though I cringed watching Fantomworks when they pulled an original motor from a 63 and replaced it with a 350 crate motor. They put the 327 stickers on the valve covers. That's just wrong.

Though some of the period correct mods are cool. Psychedelic paint jobs and **** carpets from the 70's make a statement. But a "foosed" out Vette is not to my liking.

 

when I restore a car I bring it back to correct factory as possible, but I do not re-create the factory slop. I really like the look of total stock.

 

I waffle back and forth between the two extremes. I bought my car purposely with an NOM so that I could modify it to my heart's content and put in a 200 4R transmission to make it more enjoyable to drive. When I fix something, I usually try to bring it back to original BUT Alan's example below is the sort of thing that I always draw the line at. I would never leave somthing rusty and unpainted because the factory didn't put a finish on a part.

 

For what it is worth....two thoughts:

1. A car can be restored hundreds of times, it is original only once.

2. When modding, one is only limited by their credit limit, this can be good and bad!

 

I like my car to appear "factory correct". But I am completely opposed to leaving bare metal fasteners/exhaust manifold/suspension hardware that will easily tarnish or rust.

When I completed by [low budget] 'restoration', I made certain that the appearance of the car would not change for MANY years, as long as I kept it clean.

There are no "factory correct" cars in existence; there are only those who attempt to replicate the factory methods of assembling/completing the car. I truly admire those who take the pains to do so {like Alan71, etc}, but for me, that would be absurd.

I also appreciate a well done modified Corvette. As long as the work done is 'done well', any configuration that another Corvette owner wants for HIS/HER car is OK with me!!

 

So at first I thought this thread was about who had the purest Corvette, but then I figured it out...

My take: Corvettes are cars. They built half a million of them. They are not all that special. 1970s technology was awful, and these cars were built extremely poorly (according to most contemporary reviews). It makes no sense to rebuild something to original when it would often cost less to make it better. I had and have absolutely no desire for a "perfectly restored" car if that means everything is as it was 40 years ago. Don't get me wrong--some things are nice, but by and large, there is a lot to improve...

 

It depends on the car for me. My 75 Vert was anything but stock when I bought it. It had a scoop sticking through the hood, a fake roll bar, jacked up in back, the wrong color, an 80-82 rear bumper, a 406 under the hood, and more. I bought the car because I don't feel guilty modifying an already modded car to my taste.

If I had bought a stock 69 big block car for instance, I would keep it that way and put anything that wasn't correct back to stock.

My idea of perfect would be to have both, but I already have to many hobbies that spread me too thin for that to happen at this time.

 

The OP poses a very subjective question because it can be answered so many ways and none would be incorrect.

Though I very much appreciate the efforts from guys like Alan, I'm also cut from the same piece of wood that tokim, dtamustang, and 3JsVette come from.

FWIW, I'd like to think that whatever the owner's intention of using the car would also have influence on how it's maintained or restored.

If it's a garage/show queen, it's not difficult to imagine the owner would be very protective of when the car is visible. You don't expect a pristine car to be driven many places at all, much less in bad weather. Keeping it low mileage and all the rest of the reasons why it looks so good.

Then there are those of us who enjoy racking up highway or cruising miles after we've laid hands on them. Whether it's raising them from the dead or an oil and filter change.

There are enough C3 museum pieces that I don't feel one iota of guilt to pound mine around an autocross course or crossing over state lines while travelling.

I developed mine to drive and racking up mileage is what my car does well. Parts and pieces will wear out from use then they will be replaced by like or improved products. The satisfaction that I get from any of those experiences is worth the money and effort to keep the car ready for the next adventure.

So in the end, it's a matter of what floats your boat? I think Vettebuyer5869 said it best:

 

A car is only original once, but once something fails or breaks, I'd replace it with a new or better part (if possible). I live in a house built in the '50's and won't want to replace the systems in it with vintage mechanical / electrical parts even though I like the look.

 

Another purist

 

I'm riding the Purist train....

Fran

 

If you want power, get a C7.

When I see mods, I see a nightmare to replace and repair. A model T was what it was. Leave it that way. Same with the vettes. I would never buy a moded vetted.I wouldn't trust the owners skills, no matter what he says.


I frecked out when I saw Boyd Cottington buy a very nice model T (or something from that era) from some farmer, then proceeded to chop it and hot rod it- blasphomy.



I'm with Alan, making it look like factory. Although I cringe, when I am replacing a brand new part that was bare steel unplated, unpainted from the factory. Or replacing aluminum rivets against steel (a corrosion nighmare). Or all those phosphate bolt and nuts that are useless for corrosion. But I do it anyways and use a lot of clear satin paint sparingly.

But on the other hand, I do like looking at mods to see what is possible with tech these days.

Steve L
73 coupe since new

 

Where I get hung up on the "purist" thing is stuff like the tires and transmission. If this stuff is coming out to get rebuilt, it just makes sense to upgrade it. Cosmetically, there isn't much difference, but functionally--wow! Cruising down the highway on bias ply tires turning 3300 RPM just isn't my idea of entertaining. And when it comes to the engine? This was supposed to be a performance car--why not make it perform better, or look better. I'm lucky enough to have a big block hood, and a nice roller big block (even if not original). But if I didn't? I wouldn't feel one bit guilty about putting on whatever hood I wanted, or dropping in whatever motor I felt like. If someone made a decent aftermarket tripower repro setup I wouldn't feel guilty about that, either.

Don't get me wrong--I can understand the purist point of view. But to me, that point of view is less about appreciating a Corvette as an automobile and more about appreciating it as a work or art or an historical curiosity. The guys with a newer Z06 or even ZR1 don't bat an eyelash about pulling and upgrading parts. Even though these are older vehicles, they are not Model T's running on wood spokes in parades. Other than safety and emissions, they are still quite modern in their performance characteristics.

What I would really like to have, in the long run, is a T56, EFI, thoroughly insulated tunnel and firewall, shoulder belts for the highway, and a set of muffler cutouts for the sidepipes. That's enough for a decent 20+ mpg car that is driveable but still has a nice bite when it needs it. 9 miles a gallon and half deaf on the highway gets old after awhile.

 

amen

 

So I guess all the chopped hot rodded Model A's and 32 Chevy's are all ruined now!?!?...if thoses guys had not hot rodded them they would all have been perfectly restored to factory and still be around right?!?! Not likely!! Sorry I want my C3 to run like a corvette. Since .gov and the insurance azzhats forced them to choked after 71, there is nothing wrong with turning them into the performers that Zora wanted them to be in the first place!

 

Also, not that I put a whole lot of stock in the TV auctions, but at Barrett or Mecum a really nicely done restomod C3 can bring more money than a stock Small Block C3.

 

you could always add a set of LT-1 aluminum valve covers for a little bling ,eng looks great though as-is

 

One of each & Problem solved

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I think it all depends on what type of car you pick up.
If you pick up one that's original top to bottom, bumper to bumper please leave it original.
If you get one that been modded do what ever your taste desire.

With that said, i like the original ones.