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I would never own a bone stock C3 Vette.......so much about them is just obsolete and troublesome......
That said....I like to keep the "bones" of the car true to its original intention and upgrade all of the mechanical and suspension......for instance, my own 72' keeps it's vacuum headlights and wiper door as it is part of the character of the car to me......but things like the 25lb. starter and the bullshit exhaust that all of these cars had is too compromising......
A 100 point NCRS car is impressive to me, don't get me wrong......but when it comes to bone stock cars from the era, if you seen one, you have seen them all........
What I find most interesting though is most completely restored Vette's are usually always over-restored.....these cars had sketchy build quality, blotchy paint, etc......
It is most apparent in the Shelby world with the GT350's and GT500's of the 67-68 era......those cars were absolute garbage for build quality new, but nobody in their right mind would restore one to that status.....somebody would think the restoration shop is a hack!
But it takes all kinds to build a village.....so do what you like, just keep this hobby alive!!!!
Jebby
My thoughts on this are similar. Particularly when it comes to safety - i.e.SS brake lines, gas lines, etc. I would never keep a single circuit master cylinder setup no matter how much that detracted from the originality of a car. On the other hand, I do like an original looking car - wild scoops/bodywork and wonky interiors aren't my thing, although I can appreciate all the work some people put in to achieve these.
Here’s how I see it, if its a ‘rare’ car, keep it original. If its like mine, an L48 from the highest production model year, who cares. I’m going resto-mod but closer to resto. Gonna keep it stock appearing besides lowering it. When I get my crate motor i’ll keep it old school sbc w/ carb. I dont know if i’m doing a 4 or 5 speed we’ll see how she behaves at the track before I go there.
Factory with some tasteful, mostly hidden, upgrades. Okay, so the paint, hood and wheels aren’t hidden, but the BPE 396 sbc, EFI, TKO600, coil overs, vintage air, etc. are kind of hidden.
What would you rather own in the C3 category… a restored mod that is complete done or a mostly original that will need work over time
This question is so full of holes I don’t know where to begin asking to even begin to formulate an answer in my head. Not to mention it is something that there can be no “right” answer as it is a personal preference situation.
Look how easy it is become, you can buy everything you need too restomod a Corvette. This allows anyone with the skills, to make the transformation right in their own garage. At one time, I wanted a restomod, so I bought a C7 Grand Sport.
Stock is OK, starting out with a C3 because we all start somewhere.
Resto-Mod when properly done is better.
Ideally, retaining the C3's character and appearance inside & outside. Improved performance with more powerful engines, transmissions, gears, better suspension, brakes, weight reduction, wheels & tires are all fair game. Base model, LT1 & Big Block cars, can all benefit from various improvements.
Work in progress, interior is basically stock and exterior pretty close to stock. Kept the carb, the still functional original radio, vacuum wiper door & vacuum headlights so far. Long gone points ignition, stock suspension & stock engine.
In a post covid world, if that ever will happen, we can get everyone together for a picnic. Get everyone grouped by their favorite build type and start a debate on what is best. In the meantime, I will have a hotdog and drive off in my -non NCRS, non Restomod, non-Corvette Forum poster boy car with every type of add on, non-drag car with 700hp, just a nice driving 300hp car that I can get as far away from the hectic world we are in today and just enjoy what was offered back in 1972 on a tank of gas.
