Faster Rat

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.

ddawson

Don't door ding the C2!

It always feels good when you replace worn out parts.

Torqued Off

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.

Gold Dragon

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.

Faster Rat

[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.

Black4speed

I've been thinking the same thing. Why keep it original for the next owner?
I'm gonna tastefully make it mine.

joewill

a well cared for car with lots of new parts and in great condition is worth more to me than the overpriced all original stuff out there.... good for you...

cv67

if its super nce original, fine
otherwise nothing like a nice new interior.
I doubt anyone down the road will complain. Keep at it.

Faster Rat

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.

LT1M21Vette

This.

Sometimes, I have the feeling that half of the forum members in here are museum curators...

Rescue Rogers

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

oldgto

Good catch! LOVE the pool noodle idea!

car junkie

Old habits die hard especially with Corvette aficionados, but I think by now it's clear to everyone that originality is not as important as it used to be. Interesting to look at but not much fun to own.

joewill

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...

Faster Rat

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.

Kevin68

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.

7T1vette

"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?

The13Bats

Like reading my posts ? Sounds like i had an epic fail here,
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.

Faster Rat

No need to apologize. I was just funning with you by referring to Darth Vader. I appreciate your humor and sincerity with what you like to do with cars. Thin-skinned people should not post on internet forums

The13Bats

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.