69 L46 restoration question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Sunbury PA
69 L46 restoration question
Hello all. I joined a couple years and just recently managed to get my 69 coupe into my shop. My question is related to my upcoming restoration of the car. Currently, it is ENTIRELY disassembled. I have the body on a cradle I built from someone's drawings on this site. Great idea BTW... Anyway, the frame is bad but believe it or not, the birdcage is extremely solid with original paint inside and all. I have another frame from an automatic I will be using. I have all of the original parts.
I decoded her this past Sunday. Car is a 69 built in Sept of 68. L46 coupe. Muncie M21. 3:70 posi. F41 suspension. Factory alarm. No AC. No PB. Dark fathom green with black vinyl interior.
My plan was to build her with a 383 stroker putting out 450hp or so, updated suspension, perhaps convert all the vacuum items to electric, and maybe a kandy green that pays homage to the fathom green. I am not extremely familiar with the values of small block Corvettes. Is the car of enough value to scrap my idea and build here factory original? I am not flipping this one. She will be all mine.
Just need to know if I am screwing up something of significant value if I do it.
I decoded her this past Sunday. Car is a 69 built in Sept of 68. L46 coupe. Muncie M21. 3:70 posi. F41 suspension. Factory alarm. No AC. No PB. Dark fathom green with black vinyl interior.
My plan was to build her with a 383 stroker putting out 450hp or so, updated suspension, perhaps convert all the vacuum items to electric, and maybe a kandy green that pays homage to the fathom green. I am not extremely familiar with the values of small block Corvettes. Is the car of enough value to scrap my idea and build here factory original? I am not flipping this one. She will be all mine.
Just need to know if I am screwing up something of significant value if I do it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
Here's my two cents.
If you had a 100% accurate/correct NCRS finished 69 L-46 Conv., you would be lucky to get $35k (+/-) for it. This will cost you $50k (+/-) to accomplish.
Not sure what the cost of the resto-mod you want to make will cost, but it will most likely be worth less than an original in the end.
Your car, your money, your choice.
If you had a 100% accurate/correct NCRS finished 69 L-46 Conv., you would be lucky to get $35k (+/-) for it. This will cost you $50k (+/-) to accomplish.
Not sure what the cost of the resto-mod you want to make will cost, but it will most likely be worth less than an original in the end.
Your car, your money, your choice.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Sunbury PA
Here's my two cents.
If you had a 100% accurate/correct NCRS finished 69 L-46 Conv., you would be lucky to get $35k (+/-) for it. This will cost you $50k (+/-) to accomplish.
Not sure what the cost of the resto-mod you want to make will cost, but it will most likely be worth less than an original in the end.
Your car, your money, your choice.
If you had a 100% accurate/correct NCRS finished 69 L-46 Conv., you would be lucky to get $35k (+/-) for it. This will cost you $50k (+/-) to accomplish.
Not sure what the cost of the resto-mod you want to make will cost, but it will most likely be worth less than an original in the end.
Your car, your money, your choice.
I figured there wasn't a ton of value to the car if even if it were factory perfect. Just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Hi James,
I am a big fan of the L46, such a great small block. My opinion is that most chrome bumpers tend to hold value a bit better as original. That's a heck of a blanket statement though, and there are some great restomods out there.
If you are concerned about its future resale and its originality, you can always keep those parts and only make modifications that you can still turn back the clock.
Goodluck, I'd love to see pictures.
I am a big fan of the L46, such a great small block. My opinion is that most chrome bumpers tend to hold value a bit better as original. That's a heck of a blanket statement though, and there are some great restomods out there.
If you are concerned about its future resale and its originality, you can always keep those parts and only make modifications that you can still turn back the clock.
Goodluck, I'd love to see pictures.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi James,
I think a 69 350/350 car with the type of restoration Revi mentions would bring more than 35K, especially with some Judging Sheets as part of it's paperwork.
You DO have to be careful how much $$$ you get into it but a really well done 69, 350/350 is a desirable car.
You need to WANT!!!!! to do a knock-out restoration though to come out on top.
If you want to build a modified car you need to be just as careful how much $$$ you get into it.
From the sound of your post it seems you're leaning toward a modified car and that's o.k.!
Regards,
Alan
I think a 69 350/350 car with the type of restoration Revi mentions would bring more than 35K, especially with some Judging Sheets as part of it's paperwork.
You DO have to be careful how much $$$ you get into it but a really well done 69, 350/350 is a desirable car.
You need to WANT!!!!! to do a knock-out restoration though to come out on top.
If you want to build a modified car you need to be just as careful how much $$$ you get into it.
From the sound of your post it seems you're leaning toward a modified car and that's o.k.!
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
I decoded her this past Sunday. Car is a 69 built in Sept of 68. L46 coupe. Muncie M21. 3:70 posi. F41 suspension. Factory alarm. No AC. No PB. Dark fathom green with black vinyl interior.
My plan was to build her with a 383 stroker putting out 450hp or so, updated suspension, perhaps convert all the vacuum items to electric, and maybe a kandy green that pays homage to the fathom green. I am not extremely familiar with the values of small block Corvettes. Is the car of enough value to scrap my idea and build here factory original? I am not flipping this one. She will be all mine.
Just need to know if I am screwing up something of significant value if I do it.
My plan was to build her with a 383 stroker putting out 450hp or so, updated suspension, perhaps convert all the vacuum items to electric, and maybe a kandy green that pays homage to the fathom green. I am not extremely familiar with the values of small block Corvettes. Is the car of enough value to scrap my idea and build here factory original? I am not flipping this one. She will be all mine.
Just need to know if I am screwing up something of significant value if I do it.
That being said, it looks as though you may have already made up your mind on the direction you'll likely take. If you want to change/add a few things to her and she's going to be your anchor car, I say go for it! Sounds like you'd be happy with the results and eventually someone would buy her, should you decide to sell. Plus, a 383 with the hp you stated will yield a lot of fun at will.
On the other hand, the fun with keeping the restoration free of mods and NCRS oriented is that you know you've got a great car with great history, an idea of what the original purchaser was thinking and a little bit of time travel all at the same time. Ambiance, if you will.
Good luck with your final decision. You'll have to post pics!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,603
Likes: 7,049
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie suggestion: Be a friend to History-----If you have all the original parts.....then keep the car original.
Or you could sell it to someone who really has the desire to restore it.
Then you should buy a car that is a good candidate for resto-moddding and "GO FOR IT".....do whatever you like to the "new project"......make it "YOURS"!!!!
The Corvette World will have another original(as close as can be accomplished) and you will have your own Dream-Car!
W I N....W I N !!!!!
Or you could sell it to someone who really has the desire to restore it.
Then you should buy a car that is a good candidate for resto-moddding and "GO FOR IT".....do whatever you like to the "new project"......make it "YOURS"!!!!
The Corvette World will have another original(as close as can be accomplished) and you will have your own Dream-Car!
W I N....W I N !!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
Rookie suggestion: Be a friend to History-----If you have all the original parts.....then keep the car original.
Or you could sell it to someone who really has the desire to restore it.
Then you should buy a car that is a good candidate for resto-moddding and "GO FOR IT".....do whatever you like to the "new project"......make it "YOURS"!!!!
The Corvette World will have another original(as close as can be accomplished) and you will have your own Dream-Car!
W I N....W I N !!!!!
Or you could sell it to someone who really has the desire to restore it.
Then you should buy a car that is a good candidate for resto-moddding and "GO FOR IT".....do whatever you like to the "new project"......make it "YOURS"!!!!
The Corvette World will have another original(as close as can be accomplished) and you will have your own Dream-Car!
W I N....W I N !!!!!
if its original leave it be if its a put together then modify the hell out of it and everyone will be happy no need in molesting the unmolested. but again your car your choice. some people like buying stock cars and modyfing them as they know mods will be done right as opposed to hoping it is. My car is far from matching #'s but it has no value to anyone but me so I do as I please to it.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
FWIW: the optional 350hp small block was Duntov's choice of best value for the money. He tried to convince GM to keep it beyond 1970.
Your car has managed to get to this point in its life mostly stock. Why not leave it that way?
Your car has managed to get to this point in its life mostly stock. Why not leave it that way?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Sunbury PA
Thank you all. Figured I'd get a wide array of opinions here. Yes, car is entirely original except the frame. Frame must be replaced.
Right now I have a body, 2 frames, and a boat load of parts. Nothing is assembled. It will be a labor of love, time, and money no matter what I end up going with. She will wear all of her original chrome and accessories. Think I may use the 383 and just keep the 350 on a stand. Just in case.
thanks again everyone. I am sure I will be posting questions, pictures, and a few swears in the near future.
Right now I have a body, 2 frames, and a boat load of parts. Nothing is assembled. It will be a labor of love, time, and money no matter what I end up going with. She will wear all of her original chrome and accessories. Think I may use the 383 and just keep the 350 on a stand. Just in case.
thanks again everyone. I am sure I will be posting questions, pictures, and a few swears in the near future.