Had enough originality
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Had enough originality
After 13 years, I finally decided to restore the interior. I am well aware that original cars can be more valuable than restored cars, but the comfort and enjoyment of riding in a fresh, clean and beautiful interior is just too tempting.
The seats are being redone and covered with Al Knoch leather. This will also be the time to fix the dozens of little issues that have been bugging me for so long. I will also be replacing the rear wiring harness so I can eliminate the short that has been preventing me from driving at night.
When this phase is done, only the original paint, chrome bumpers and side exhaust covers will be left to ponder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Originality is over-rated......do you still have the original gasoline in the tank? If not, its not really original. SO, I say, make it like you want it. Let all that originality hoo-haw stuff for the guys who never drive their "museum" cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
Life is to short. Why be uncomfortable in such a sweet ride just to squeeze out a couple extra bucks. Resto mods have already proven that originality will be taking a back seat. Enjoy your C-3. Nice collection Faster Rat.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
[QUOTE=Gold Dragon;1595036853Nice collection Faster Rat.[/QUOTE]
I am no collector. That beautiful L68 with A/C belongs to a friend who has run out of space for his collection and I just let him store cars in my garage. I have the keys and can drive it whenever I want, but I don't. My car likes the company and I like looking at a pair of 427s in the garage.
I am no collector. That beautiful L68 with A/C belongs to a friend who has run out of space for his collection and I just let him store cars in my garage. I have the keys and can drive it whenever I want, but I don't. My car likes the company and I like looking at a pair of 427s in the garage.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Well, it is not exactly like it is a Survivor or by any means untouched. I spent the first eight years and a bunch of money rebuilding and correctly restoring everything else, mostly what is not seen from eye level.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 951
Likes: 215
From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
Sometimes, I have the feeling that half of the forum members in here are museum curators...
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
i dont know how anyone can own one of these and not drive it. Its so much fun to go out on a long cruise through winding hills. Especially if the state maintains the roads. I was going to a car show up in new hampshire and realized I was going to be on a long bumpy nasty rutted paved road that I was unfortunate enough to drive on last year but i cut out about 30 min and I was late for the show. Well the great state of New Hampshire repaved it this spring and its winding and hilly. I cant wait to get back on that stretch now
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
yes the true very original cars are desireable and costly to a shrinking group of people. not that originality is a major plus. I would of course pay a premium for originality given 2 equal condition cars. but that premium is ever shrinking also. it is just that so many cars are faked or puffed up that I would just buy the best condition car I could.
there is not much evidence that a numbers car appreciation curve is any better that the non original cars. there are exceptions for the highly desireable numbers cars with no excuses, but these are getting more rare.
buy good paint, good metal, recently rebuilt drive train, the best condition car you can find and it will hold/increase its value equally with a numbers car.
it is amazing that so many people out there have no idea of the fakes out here. 1st time corvette buyers insisting on originality or won't even look at a car if the 15th owner of the car will not guarantee the originality.. insanity...
there is not much evidence that a numbers car appreciation curve is any better that the non original cars. there are exceptions for the highly desireable numbers cars with no excuses, but these are getting more rare.
buy good paint, good metal, recently rebuilt drive train, the best condition car you can find and it will hold/increase its value equally with a numbers car.
it is amazing that so many people out there have no idea of the fakes out here. 1st time corvette buyers insisting on originality or won't even look at a car if the 15th owner of the car will not guarantee the originality.. insanity...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Now don' t get carried away Bats. I may have some repro parts on the car, some things are missing, the engine is bored, massaged and running a Comp cam..but there is nothing that cannot be "un-done."
My car is somewhat rare and desirable, well documented with it's born-with drive train, but it is not a good candidate for modification. You Bats, may well be the Prince of Darkness, but you ain't my father. Love reading your posts.
My car is somewhat rare and desirable, well documented with it's born-with drive train, but it is not a good candidate for modification. You Bats, may well be the Prince of Darkness, but you ain't my father. Love reading your posts.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
Although my car is was too far gone to ever be considered original when I bought it and is generally moving away from originality, I have a ton of respect for the guys that choose to keep everything original. It's their property to do with as they choose, just as those of us who make modifications enjoy the same freedom. The knowledge and assistance they have provided over the years has been a valuable part of this community and I think we'll all be worse off if they leave...as many have.
Time will tell whether future buyers value originality over modern performance. Truth is, most of us are so upside down on these cars it really doesn't matter because none of us are likely make money, and if we do, our efforts will be rewarded with a few dollars an hour of our time. Most hobbies cost money, and the Corvette hobby is a lousy way to try and put a few bucks in our pockets.
Time will tell whether future buyers value originality over modern performance. Truth is, most of us are so upside down on these cars it really doesn't matter because none of us are likely make money, and if we do, our efforts will be rewarded with a few dollars an hour of our time. Most hobbies cost money, and the Corvette hobby is a lousy way to try and put a few bucks in our pockets.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
"Originality" usually means that parts being replaced get duplicate replacements. Unless you have a "survivor" car (where NOTHING has been replaced), why would you retain worn-out components?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Now don' t get carried away Bats. I may have some repro parts on the car, some things are missing, the engine is bored, massaged and running a Comp cam..but there is nothing that cannot be "un-done."
My car is somewhat rare and desirable, well documented with it's born-with drive train, but it is not a good candidate for modification. You Bats, may well be the Prince of Darkness, but you ain't my father. Love reading your posts.
My car is somewhat rare and desirable, well documented with it's born-with drive train, but it is not a good candidate for modification. You Bats, may well be the Prince of Darkness, but you ain't my father. Love reading your posts.
I do apologize.
I wasnt getting carried away, it was just a one liner, i know im not your father nor do i want to be to anyone, i was trying to be fun running with your subject line and forget this is way too sensitive a subject for some for me to be funning with.
Last edited by The13Bats; Jun 29, 2017 at 06:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Like reading my posts ? Sounds like i had an epic fail here,
I do apologize.
I wasnt getting carried away i just hit one line, seems i misunderstood your subject headline, i know im not your father nor do i want to be to anyone, i was trying to be fun and forget this is way too sensitive a subject for some for me to be funning with.
I do apologize.
I wasnt getting carried away i just hit one line, seems i misunderstood your subject headline, i know im not your father nor do i want to be to anyone, i was trying to be fun and forget this is way too sensitive a subject for some for me to be funning with.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Thanks, tone gets lost in type, i post here like i talk to buddies at a cruise, but seems lately my odd sense of humor hasnt come across as i desired,
So i felt better to be safe than look like a dbag to you....
There is a changing trend what people are doing with c3s and want out of them and i dont blame some of the fellows not liking it,
But how did smitty say it,
Nothing stays the same everything changes.
So i felt better to be safe than look like a dbag to you....
There is a changing trend what people are doing with c3s and want out of them and i dont blame some of the fellows not liking it,
But how did smitty say it,
Nothing stays the same everything changes.