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I am new to the Vette world am I am quickly finding out that the whole numbers matching thing is very important and I understand why. I recently purchased a 1972 convertible four speed car because I love the way a chrome bumper C3 car looks especially a convertible!! I bought the car with he intention of putting a LS and suspension upgrades and auto X from time to time. I got a killer deal on the car its had a paint change from Elkhart green to white. The Paint is at best a ten footer but new interior rebuilt four speed and rear end runs and drives great! When I got the car I could care less if it was numbers matching but after I got it home it is even the carb is original. I know in a couple of years I will probably sale the car so not sure if I should just sale this one and look for one that might lend its self to more of what I want to do? But I got a great deal on this car and thinking that I can keep all the original stuff and do my swap. Just Not sure??
I am new to the Vette world am I am quickly finding out that the whole numbers matching thing is very important and I understand why. I recently purchased a 1972 convertible four speed car because I love the way a chrome bumper C3 car looks especially a convertible!! I bought the car with he intention of putting a LS and suspension upgrades and auto X from time to time. I got a killer deal on the car its had a paint change from Elkhart green to white. The Paint is at best a ten footer but new interior rebuilt four speed and rear end runs and drives great! When I got the car I could care less if it was numbers matching but after I got it home it is even the carb is original. I know in a couple of years I will probably sale the car so not sure if I should just sale this one and look for one that might lend its self to more of what I want to do? But I got a great deal on this car and thinking that I can keep all the original stuff and do my swap. Just Not sure??
If the engine and trans is original and you are planning to sell it in a couple of years I wouldn't go through the effort of a LS engine and suspension swap. You would get a better return on your investment by selling this car and buying one that has a non-original motor. Then you can modify as much as you want without worrying about decreasing the value of the car. A LS engine and suspension swap would likely increase the value of a non-original car.
I have a 72 with the original engine and trans but the frame needed to be replaced. Technically it isn't original anymore with a new frame but I could have passed it off as original. I chose to mothball the original engine and trans and do a LS/6-speed swap.
PLEASE don't modify a car that is nearly original! I bought a "rescue convertible" (a car that has been well-used/body has been altered).
I didn't want to buy a "numbers-matching" car because cars in that category need to be saved and brought back to original specs. They are too difficult to find as it is--you have a gem if it is as you say!
I will be able to modify my '68 convertible the way I want to--engine/transmission/cooling system/interior/paint/upholstery....
BUT........I will also redo the body by putting the correct front and rear caps back on the car.
You guys are killing me!! Haha. If I sale it I just don't know if I would be able to find another convertible that is in this good of shape for the price. But I do understand where y'all are coming from.
Well you have a fairly original big block vert with an incorrect paint color. This is probably why you got a great deal. I'm as much about keeping the collectible cars original and yours could fall into that category. But repainting it will cost 5k or more. Then to sell it and get your money out of it is a gamble. Especially if you advertise it on this site. These guys are brutal in the what's my car worth threads.
Although finding a solid car to do the mods you are talking about sounds like the better plan, in the end what you currently have may be the best car. As for keeping all the original stuff, why bother. No one is going to go to the trouble to change it back.
My .02: your car has lived it's entire life as essentially stock and unmolested. Why not leave it that way?
You can modify the next one.
Easy! It was a sled when it was new and deserves to have good power, handling and a nice interior.
To the original poster.... Figure out what you want out of your car, then do it. Do not feel like you have to preserve it for a museum, the are plenty others out there. If you want to enjoy it by driving it build it that way. If you want a museum piece don't touch it and build a showroom on your house instead.
I hear the value of resto mods are on the rise on the west coast.... A signof things to come? Perhaps.