Hi all - working to "restore" my car. It's a 1970 numbers matching car, that has had some mods done. Question for the group...

When "restoring" your car, what lengths do you go through to keep things "original" as opposed to just making things look good again? For example, I am now working on rebuilding my seats. The chrome side hinges are a bit pitted and scuffed up...one significant scratch. My options are
A) send those "original" (to the best of my knowledge anyway) parts out, have them blasted and re-chromed. This is the more expensive option. Trying to "restore" the original part.
B) just buy new parts from one of the many Corvette parts places we all know and love. This is actually much cheaper than option A!
C) leave the parts in there because they are "original"

Similar question on the bezel on the top of the seat back where the shoulder seat belt comes through. I could try to mask it off and paint the parts black...and then try and figure out how to make the chrome edges/outline look good again...in effort to keep the "original" part in it...or I could just buy new ones...or I could leave them alone.

Obviously if the part looks horrible, or it breaks, I don't want to keep it in there for "original" sake. But how do you all decide to try and restore the actual "original" part as opposed to just buying a new part?

I look forward to your thoughts!!!

 

If you are going for NCRS flight judging, the best option is probably to restore original parts. In that regard, you can buy a copy of the NCRS judging guide to get an idea of what they require. Sometimes the original restored parts are much better than what is available from the suppliers. In this case, you may prefer to restore the parts.

If you are restoring your car for cruising, as a driver, local car shows etc., it is up to you how you replace parts. The only caveat to that is I would always save the old parts in case you decide to restore them later.

If you are just building a resto mod just do it however you want. Upgrade when possible to make it more drivable and have fun.

So the bottom line is do it anyway you wish, but always save the old parts IF they can be restored. An example of what I did was remove the original glamor rings and I had them restored with new clips and polished. I install a set of cheapo knockoffs and will use them until the car is flight judged (if I ever get around to that.) At that time I will reinstall the originals that have been restored.

Do what you want and have fun.