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I need some advice on what I should do. I have a 74 with a numbers matching 454, 4 speed, stingray convertible. The clock reads 29k miles and my dad is the original owner. I bought it from him long ago. And since have gotten an amazing c5 z06 that we love.
The idea here is to do a frame off restoration. However I don't love the poly bumpers. I strongly prefer the chrome style.
Am I making a mistake by converting this last year stingray to chrome bumpers?
Should I be selling this one and replacing with the true desired year. Or should I just go for it an make this thing what I want it to be, (I'm sure I will be murdering the value it holds) that's not a huge concern however. As I will plan to keep it forever. As well as my c5. I think they make a super set.
Here's a few pics
Here's a fully restored 74
And here's a 69, this is what I'm after. I found a company that makes the conversion parts to make mine look like this. That will cost approx 4k
I want to hear it all. The good, the bad and the gugly. Bring it on. Give me real opions on this matter.
Hi R4,
Yes, you'll be making a mistake.
A 74 bb convertible certainly deserves to be restored!
If you want to have a 68-72 car buy one and restore it.
"Forever" is a long time to live with the realization you made a mistake.
Regards,
Alan
You must realize when you ask this type a question you will receive a number of responses. Alan is in the purist group as well as many others including myself. Others will be in the modify group. You are not worried about money so go and get a chrome bumper car and leave Dad's alone. Just sayin!
RVZIO
Has anybody seen the conversation parts in person. I am curious as to how good the quality is.
What do you all think my 74 may be worth as it sits? I am good friends with a master tech at chevy. And he restores vettes on the side. He says I'll spend evert bit of 30k restoring the 74 to factory. Is that accurate?
And how much do you all think it may be worth fully restored to factory spec?
If you have to ask if the investment will equal the value of the car when you are done you are making a mistake, in my opinion. I don't know many people that do these things to MAKE money. If I owned a true numbers matching, one owner big block car, I would leave it as is and sell it. I am sure it's worth more now than when your dad bought it. I bet that would make him laugh at HIS investment paying off. Then I would take that money, and my dad, and go looking for a chrome bumper car. I would think that the journey with your dad for your next car would be just as much fun as the car itself. Just my opinion of course, and I am sure you're going to get a lot more, but not many saying to switch the bumpers. Good luck.
If you have to ask if the investment will equal the value of the car when you are done you are making a mistake, in my opinion. I don't know many people that do these things to MAKE money. If I owned a true numbers matching, one owner big block car, I would leave it as is and sell it. I am sure it's worth more now than when your dad bought it. I bet that would make him laugh at HIS investment paying off. Then I would take that money, and my dad, and go looking for a chrome bumper car. I would think that the journey with your dad for your next car would be just as much fun as the car itself. Just my opinion of course, and I am sure you're going to get a lot more, but not many saying to switch the bumpers. Good luck.
I kinda agree with kanvasman. Probably worth more with the front end completed and a good buff and leave it. They are also correct with spending 30k to restore it to brand new. I am in the middle of one of those 30K restores with my 69. You can look in the car for sale section and get a feel for the price category. That's a tough one, I mean 12 - 18k how's that. Who know's!
Hi R4,
Yes, you'll be making a mistake.
A 74 bb convertible certainly deserves to be restored!
If you want to have a 68-72 car buy one and restore it.
"Forever" is a long time to live with the realization you made a mistake.
Regards,
Alan
with Alan. I'm not a purist by any stretch. I don't own a correct or stock anything but in this case a numbers match last year big block, 4 speed, 2 owner, and a convertible to boot needs to be restored or sell it and let someone restore it.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Convert it and keep it. Its not a super special year but it is a super special car in that it was your Dads. You're not destroying it and anything you do could be reversed. You'll be happy, especially if you're spending your money to make the car yours. It'll be something you can pass along. Good luck.
Its not a valuable collector car so its not going to be worth the $30 K you spend either way..I would sell it AS IS, put that money toward the car you want. just my opinion
This input is helping alot. I have spent a few hours last nite looking at the conversion parts. The back looks pretty convincing. But the front on the other hand looks a bit funny. Theres alot of gap between the bumper and headlights. It dosent exactly look right. So I feel like the conversion is not exactly the same ad having the real thing.
I like the Suttle upgrades some of you have showed me. I could see restoring this one. With the following upgrades.
After market wheels and tires. Full suspension, big brake kit front and rear. And to beef up the internals of the 454. To pull out atleast 400hp but no more than 500hp. And other than that. Put every thing else back to oem.
The chrome bumpers really draw my attention. If I could pull off a good enough sale on the 74, I'd be into replacing it with a 68 69.. I also looked at some of them for sale. And I have to think I'd be quite a bit off on the cost differential between the two.
This input is helping alot. I have spent a few hours last nite looking at the conversion parts. The back looks pretty convincing. But the front on the other hand looks a bit funny. Theres alot of gap between the bumper and headlights. It dosent exactly look right. So I feel like the conversion is not exactly the same ad having the real thing.
I like the Suttle upgrades some of you have showed me. I could see restoring this one. With the following upgrades.
After market wheels and tires. Full suspension, big brake kit front and rear. And to beef up the internals of the 454. To pull out atleast 400hp but no more than 500hp. And other than that. Put every thing else back to oem.
The chrome bumpers really draw my attention. If I could pull off a good enough sale on the 74, I'd be into replacing it with a 68 69.. I also looked at some of them for sale. And I have to think I'd be quite a bit off on the cost differential between the two.
Well it sounds like all of us got you thinking. It's easy to stray from the originality portion. The mods you mention, may not be that cost effective if in the end you still want a chrome bumper car. Good luck with your decision's.
RVZIO
need some advise
with Alan. I'm not a purist by any stretch. I don't own a correct or stock anything but in this case a numbers match last year big block, 4 speed, 2 owner, and a convertible to boot needs to be restored or sell it and let someone restore it.
