I bought my '72 vert/hardtop in '95......it was an old show car, and so had a grand paint job on it....but nothing lasts forever paint I guessing at 5-8 y/o when I bought it.....but the move to Florida did take it's toll, garage kept or not....and a couple of accidents not my fault didn't help either.....

and so it being an old show car, the thing was in good condition on the rust/body front....but it was needing some love....

interior, tilt steering column/wheel, redid console, dash, installed p/windows, put on '89 vette wheels, 50 series tires, DPFI roller engine, alum heads, serp drive, rack steering, HBoost brakes, electric fans, alum rad/heater core, custom headlights, grill, scoops, flares were on the car from p/owner, auto over drive in place of the 4 speed muncie, LT1 injection with HEI in back the way GOD intended, all electric wiper operation, cruise added, door locks shaved, BB bulge added to hood, it's florida now, so sold the hardtop years ago it just hung from the garage ceiling, car got painted GREEN with sharks swimming the black side scoops, relays in headlights, driver seating modified, seat lowered, floor/firewall pushed forward under the steering column, and glassed in, pedals pushed forward so my knees off the wheel now...., C4 blower for better airflow, green dash lights, white gauges,

It was born in '72, I turned 73 not long ago, so I am FINALLY older than my CAR!!!

See pix on link below.....

 

Hey....just box up all the original parts that you remove and store them. Then freshen up anything you desire. WIN/WIN!

 

So what...do you think you are better or smarter than them? I have suggested before that maybe the forum should be segregated into two distinct camps...those that like the cars the way GM built them (either truly original or restored as original) and those that, for whatever reason, would rather use them as a blank canvas to satisfy their burning desire to express themselves. I certainly am not concerned about what you or anybody else does with their car. If I have any adverse thoughts about something that I see...I just keep my opinion to myself.

Rodney King's (RIP) question "Why can't we just all get along" didn't seem to work very well either.

 

It is very unfortunate that posters feel the need to let everyone know that they think there opinions are the right ones.

I dare anyone to try to find a old post by me that says factory original cars are "better" than customs or that you can only derive more pleasure from driving a car more than looking at one in a garage.

Go look at the recent "NCRS History" thread. Its starting up there too. And its always from the same posters. They like to point out other people's "mistakes" but don't take responsibility for what they say and do. Because they are always right......

I like to think I've been very polite, I try to be. Well, I guess I need to change and see how that goes.

 

Fresh is a key word, especially if you are riding chicks around!!!! Can't have a rank car, even if it is a Survivor!

 

Most "true" Survivor cars don't carry 'chicks' around...because they either don't function properly (from the long-ago worn out suspension/brake/steering/drivetrain components or because they just don't function at all. I mean, can you imagine ANY 40 year-old car...with ALL of its original parts...still being functional??? {unless it has been a 'museum piece' for almost all of its life}

 

I cant seem to find that ncrs history thread where i did post my "opinion" that it was to bash the ncrs, not cool, and im a modder saying that,

I believe its human nature to toss out our opinions in a situation like a car forum, and i believe most people believe their opinion is at the very least "good" or good to them,

What i can do without is the type cat who posts his "opinion" giving permission for the reader to deviate from it and do as they please only to post a boring ten page rant why they are right and the person is stupid, when a person doesnt follow their opinion to the letter and does do it their own way.

We are all car crafters into the same make and model,
I support the fellow who wants a museum piece or whatever floats his boat. and can only hope he offers me that same respect in return.

 

Hello Bats,
The thread has been removed.

Nobody should jam there opinion down anyone's throat.

Faster Rat has a great car, with or without the original carpet. Wether he chooses to restore more parts or keep other parts original his car is STILL a extremely nice example of what the cars essentially looked like when GM made and rolled them out in 69. And more importantly, its his to do what he wants with it and enjoy it as he sees fit.

And customs are just fine as that's what people did with them during the 70s and are just as important to the history of Corvettes as what they looked like off the assembly line.

You know I like customs, I like the Motion cars, Mako kits and especially Lemans inspired road race modifications to 69s. It depends on the car. A car that's already been modified and no longer has an original drive train is a perfect canvas to have some fun. But to me, a car that has stayed mostly original and correct for the last 50 years should remain that way. But I certainly would not go to a custom Vette thread and start preaching to the posters who like that stuff that they are mistaken. It would be rude and inconsiderate.

Unfortunately we can (as I had) get caught up in the drama and have the instigators draw us into an altercation. I will do my best to not let that happen again.

As for this thread, I am also at a crossroads about my carpet in my roadster.

The original carpet is actually in decent shape but badly faded. Has anyone tried having them redyed? I have seen carpet redyers online for home carpets and they claim they can match any color. The original 69 carpets are just a little different then even the best replacements. Only small things but enough to make me want to save my original if possible. Mine was bright blue (now LIGHT silver blue in front of the seats).

 

Thanks ed,

Early in this thread i posted a line about ...welcome to the darkside,
In reference to the threads subject line and admitted a light hearted poke at guys who do get all worked up over non orginal or God forbid a modifacations,

But not wanting to offend i removed it just like i removed a parady ncrs not correctly restored stingray logo from my signature, because it really upset some ncrs guys, not that i dont still find it a humorous description of my car,

I actually just seek the kinship and camaraderie of the hobby, so will avoid offending when i can, i dont care what you build lets just build.

I do like mods but mostly from being very OCD and ADD, and very eccentric,
i dont like the mindset imposed restraint that it came factory like that so i must leave it like that, unless i desire to,
I feel really badly for a guy when i hear him say he hates for example the color of his car but cant paint it because it came factory that color,

My favorite are survivors. Stock or customs, time capsules, they have history, restored is a new car in a way,
But sadly some survivors are total messes and if the desire is to keep them from ruin some things must be restored,

Im with you to a vast degree, if a car is a very original example leave it that way, more so if rare at all, however, if a car is so neglected that it needs a full frame off or just some base model,
i dont care if the builder goes ncrs or full restomod and i sure dont see either as blasphemous, its just car crafting.

I really have not seen anyone buy a high dollar pristine rare optioned orginal ncrs winner and go modify it, those buyers tend to want them stock,

The modders tend to buy the unloved bastards and make silk purses out of sows ears,

So in my way of thinking everyone should be happy with that, but sadly some are still not.

 

I hope this relates to the OP thread, I think it does, and maybe this is an area others know about. I hope I don't' step on anyone.

What I would think would be most difficult with a survivor or original type car, would be maintaining it in that way and driving it. Its easier if its a museum car. The OP wants to put new carpet in the car, so it would seem now that the new carpet will stand out as being new and very obvious, although the car in the pictures looks pretty nice. I think that is why he posted this in the first place....i.e., what to do?

I propose another idea....and I found this out when I built my 73 Harley Shovelhead from ground up. My initial interest in the bike was based on old bikes. Unfortunately I created a brand new 73 Harley, and I would go to meets and see an old worn out bike and long for it, even though my bike was far superior in build.

So, there is this idea of patina that is a common buzzword. Its about aging that only occurs naturally over time when something is used. Its very unique in its appearance. Some even try to create patina by painting on wear marks, or wearing brand new parts so they match. I have seen it in the motorcycle and hot rod world. Its an interesting idea, although if done poorly is very obvious.

I am wondering if anyone has seen that or considered this in our Corvette world. I think it relates to the subject of this thread in that maybe if a person needs to buy something new for a very original car, because it is simply way too worn, or worn more than the rest of the car, is there any thought about trying to bring the visual appearance back to where the car is in appearance? If done well, it would look great.

I guess some would consider it fake, or poser, but I think it has merit. Some parts on a 40 year old car are just going to be worn out, like carpet. I am not sure what I am suggesting in regard to carpet, like how do you wear it back? But I am raising the question as an idea to talk about.

 

I relate big time, it's how my custom 66 was and in that fake poser way just how i am building my 69,
I want it in general to look like a real racer from the 70s, not some big names car rather some budget nobody,
no show queen paint job or import tuner looking stuff, and not perfect,

Mostly period correct, like the used ansens i picked up, 30 yo wheels that look it, i will take care not to clean them too much,

Sure a savvy cat will tell im fake quickly but the other 99% wont have a clue, like when guys say their car passes the 10 foot test, mine will make people wonder,

So yeah, i could see sticking some new part in an aged interior looking as out of place as a turd in a punch bowl

 

That is why my car has been gradually transformed from a barn-find survivor with only 56k miles on it into a reliable driver that has been overcome with "might as well while I'm at its."

 

Based on the last few replies, my post here will fall right in line and on theme!

Originality, outside of the chosen modifications I like, I try to find NOS GM or at least the best American made reproductions or replacement part I can find to maintain the cars! But I first will try to repair, rebuild, replace with original, rechrome the original, even if the more expensive route! The reproduction parts world causes most to buy those as the cheaper alternative! Not me! Therefore your reproduction bumper will look far better than my rechromed originals!

I will drive the crap out of them, and Keep them maintained! Or I will buy a far superior part, the best there is from the aftermarket world, for what was needing replacement!

Maybe I am lucky, the C2 Race car no carpet , my fear is my original vintage race mods breaking and finding true replacement vintage race goods! But I still have a garage full of rare finds and parts that are now vintage, bought when they weren't! My 68 C3 I found as a not well cared for mechanically and left sitting 43k car! A car stored in a garage because of a mechanical problem and not touched for 20 years! Everything has been mostly labor, keeping original parts getting things working again or cleaning things up! ! The C2 Autocross car (my third car) I went thru and got a lot of new stuff in the 90s making it a nice street rod driver with full race suspension, but I have it in storage do to the crash!

You guys that have bought or are shooting for shrines, cars to worship based on originality or perfection, knock yourself out! I do appreciate some of those. The only thing is don't push it as so special to guys that know they are reproduction parts and non-original! The two extremes being over restoration or the phony patina look with simulated over spray and stuff! Yuck!

Keep in mind that it is your car. I am not a fan of anyone (especially a so called expert) coming up and pointing out what they think are flaws! Or criticism of anything on a car that doesn't belong to them! If you want that from the community, have fun great! Ask for it, enter it for Jusging! Judges should be more respectful to participants that aren't interested in Judging! I am not a fan of the movement for a People's choice award, because that kind of gives people license to walk the event Judging , throwing out comments unwelcomed from mostly uneducated Non-Corvette people!

The last guy expert I encountered walked up and first said it was a very interesting car, but I should replace my mega rare full race probably worth a fortune magnesium center modular rims with a set of stock rims for originality and value! Gee Corvette club guy, thanks for the advice, you have no clue!

You walk up to my car and start throwing out your non-positive expertise unsolicited, I just might turn to your woman and suggest the gym, naturally for the sake of her health and longevity!

 

Faster Rat, your 69 looks fantastic!
I have so much to do on both of mine. I will be happy if mine when done they look half as nice as yours.

 

Thanks Ed. I am sure they will. All it takes is time and money. I have been lucky to have Dave Walters' guidance, shop, tools and warehouse full of parts. He has spared me from making any big mistakes.

 

Faster rat,
Pretty much the other way with your car, whicht i had not realky seen until then, old carpet would have looked like a turd in a punch bowl in that sweet jewel, i am jealous.

Tc,
I have been in that situation many times, many sadly have,
its a passtime of a certain purist type to bray about the wrong parts on some modded car, they do get super butthurt over how some other guy built tgeir own car,
No amount in your case of boasting how rare and expensive the parts are will change the mind of a die hard purist the parts are wrong and i dont really want to, i do feel sad for that type but if thats all he has so be it,

I am curious, how about posting pictures of all these cars you have, please dont high jack rats, thread start a new thread,

Tcracings cars picture thread it would be fun...

 

It was definitely time- you'll love it when you're done.

And I always enjoy looking at a nice pair too.

 

Easy there, that was just a joke...

 

I still have the picture you sent me of the side pipe cuts made to the body in the front. I am getting closer to that point on my restore so it will come in handy. Thanks again fot the pic's.
RVZIO

 

First I am glad to see an enthusiast take care of something that is beyond its life! Like putting down a dog or horse!

i seem to be your new most disliked CF member? Call outs and trying to embarrass someone especially in someone else thread isn't cool! OK since it has happened!
There are enough pictures since all of these third party picture sites seem to have stopped servicing us (photo bucket and tinypic). I did a search of my forum name (Turnbull Canyon Racing California) and just searching TCracingCA my C3 Blue (license plate 60N2SEC) backend with a C7 tire size comparison shows up (I am wayover due to update my profile on the latest and that car) , the white Formula car I am building is there, our PMO carbed 911 engine bay, but on an iPhone the pictures popping up do seem to be getting scarce! My all aluminum Bow tie engine used to show up, suspension goody posts, etc. used to show! I think if you search the full name, then more of the Corvettes show up! I only have posted old black and whites of the C2 race car in preparation for the public reveal one day! The Autocross car pops up in a few searches, and I only have one picture up showing both C3s together! The search that seemed to net the most pictures was like combining Turnbull Canyon TCracingCA images that shows some of my cars! It has me at Willow Springs raceway in the flared C2, our Slalom Truck, our BMW with the Burgandy/Candy Apple red C3 behind it, old pic of the 67 1275S Mini Cooper, the Autocross C2 parked side by side with the blue C3, a few more of the blue C3, my personal racetrack shots and My race track course map on one of the old t-shirts, etc etc etc etc and my latest engine build aluminum block- there it is!!!! The cars aren't junk, just driven hard nasty old non-show car Corvettes and our Porsches! Knock yourself out!