Original vs restored
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Original vs restored
I bought an unrestored 69 conv 2 years ago, mostly original, paint, all matching numbers, original frame and suspension. Should I start putting in new suspension parts or stay with original parts. Still drives great as is and i only drive it about 500 miles a year. Just looking for other opinions. I would like to keep it as close to original as possible but am i wrong in not wanting newer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OP 69army
Seeing as how yours is apparently nearly all OE and in good running-driving condition ... IMO, leave it original or restore as original ...
... if it's very close to OE, that's the impetus ... if it's that close to OE, the money might be in keeping it so.
Maybe find space & $ to ADD an 86-up C4 ? ... those are great runners & have some modern conveniences & comforts ... and relatively cheap to buy & keep.
Seeing as how yours is apparently nearly all OE and in good running-driving condition ... IMO, leave it original or restore as original ...
... if it's very close to OE, that's the impetus ... if it's that close to OE, the money might be in keeping it so.
Maybe find space & $ to ADD an 86-up C4 ? ... those are great runners & have some modern conveniences & comforts ... and relatively cheap to buy & keep.
Last edited by jackson; Sep 24, 2019 at 02:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your decision must be based on how much "pleasure" you derive from each of the three alternatives:
1. All original - you get great satisfaction out of getting "WOW!" out of 1% of the folks who see your car and/or out of getting "Survivor" awards/certificates from NCRS or other organizations which prize such vehicles. You will not get a lot of 'love' at local/regional car shows.
2. Refurbished -keep original configuration; upgrade condition to like-new - You enjoy showing the car in original condition but only if it looks good and functions well.
3.Resto-mod - you want the car to exist in the modern era with upgrades, as well as look good and function well.
If you make yourself happy with your selected alternative, you can accept the displeasure of others over your choice.....
1. All original - you get great satisfaction out of getting "WOW!" out of 1% of the folks who see your car and/or out of getting "Survivor" awards/certificates from NCRS or other organizations which prize such vehicles. You will not get a lot of 'love' at local/regional car shows.
2. Refurbished -keep original configuration; upgrade condition to like-new - You enjoy showing the car in original condition but only if it looks good and functions well.
3.Resto-mod - you want the car to exist in the modern era with upgrades, as well as look good and function well.
If you make yourself happy with your selected alternative, you can accept the displeasure of others over your choice.....
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 24, 2019 at 07:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If a parts replacement makes it safer/drive better than do it, its your car/life.
I wouldnt worry for 2 seconds what someone else thinks of what you do to your car.
If a tie rod end was ready to fall off youd change it sounds like. Keeping it tight sure wont drop the value if thats what youre asking if anything makes it appealing for the next guy he wont have to do it.
I wouldnt worry for 2 seconds what someone else thinks of what you do to your car.
If a tie rod end was ready to fall off youd change it sounds like. Keeping it tight sure wont drop the value if thats what youre asking if anything makes it appealing for the next guy he wont have to do it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,220
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
Replace anything that is worn and unsafe.
I re-did my 72's suspension last year (low mile car) - it was original but the boots were drying out. When I pulled the UNIVERSALS they were dry. This would have failed and caused much damage, I used Moog parts.
I can feel the difference. If someone wanted to go back to original equipment they easily could.
I re-did my 72's suspension last year (low mile car) - it was original but the boots were drying out. When I pulled the UNIVERSALS they were dry. This would have failed and caused much damage, I used Moog parts.
I can feel the difference. If someone wanted to go back to original equipment they easily could.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
If everything is in good working order, what do you need to change?
Otherwise, there's a lot of improvements that can be made by replacing the stock suspension components while keeping the stock geometry. If you keep the old stuff, it is easy to reverse it, but even simple stuff like heim-jointed strut rods and Bilstein shocks will make the car handle 10 times better, limited only by your tires.
My suggestion is to do whatever you need to do to the car to make it the car you want to put thousands of miles on every year. Then go do just that!
Otherwise, there's a lot of improvements that can be made by replacing the stock suspension components while keeping the stock geometry. If you keep the old stuff, it is easy to reverse it, but even simple stuff like heim-jointed strut rods and Bilstein shocks will make the car handle 10 times better, limited only by your tires.
My suggestion is to do whatever you need to do to the car to make it the car you want to put thousands of miles on every year. Then go do just that!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
Original or restored ? replacing worn parts is not restoring , it's replacing with new parts either original manufacture or another brand.. I would say if your going to keep the car and something is in need of replacement for safety then do it. If your going to sell and everything is OK save your money. No one is going to pay you a dime more because you replaced a u-joint or ball joint. Enjoy the ride , just don't go down the road that places your car in the garage for years and the spending of $1000's of dollars that will make your cars value the same as before.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
If you decide to cut or modify fiberglass body parts....PLEASE buy a neglected body that has already been altered.....then modify it until you are satisfied, and place it on the chassis you now have rather than cutting on an original piece of history.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 925
Likes: 200
From: TX
Sounds like you bought a 69 similar to the coupe I bought a few years ago.
Car was maintained, not restored but not driven much. Until I entered the scene!
Replaced tires
Replaced water pump (Stewart)
Exhaust system (n11 from corvette central)
New leather seats and foam cause the original stuff was shot.
Bilstein shocks to make it no longer scary to drive.
Thats about it. Totally fun and runs like a scalded ape.
I say just maintain it with good stuff. Treat her like a real car. I take mine to the grocery store!
VS
Car was maintained, not restored but not driven much. Until I entered the scene!
Replaced tires
Replaced water pump (Stewart)
Exhaust system (n11 from corvette central)
New leather seats and foam cause the original stuff was shot.
Bilstein shocks to make it no longer scary to drive.
Thats about it. Totally fun and runs like a scalded ape.
I say just maintain it with good stuff. Treat her like a real car. I take mine to the grocery store!
VS