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No Matter how much work has already been done. It will still need work over time.
It's still a 45 plus year old car. And the quality of resto mods vary greatly. As does the quality of replacement and aftermarket parts.
The Answer will always be, Some will want the original car for that experience and others will prefer the Modified car.
And then there are various degrees of modification.
Just no clear answers here.
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!!!!
I grew up with the introductions of the C2 And C3. Back then people were always trying to get more HP out of their cars. Keeping them stock was not a goal. Detroit area had many speed shops and places to run your cars with young people or parents that made good money from the big 3 auto companies. I appreciate both and admire the skills required to modify or return them to factory original (mostly an improvement from the Assyembly Line!)
My wallet plays into the decision as well but virtually all of my "pleasure" type purchases have been mostly original needing love, but I'd certainly consider an "over the top" powerful well done resto mod if I had the disposable income.
Originally Posted by grady white
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
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Originally Posted by Jebbysan
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........
but a near 100 point car should not be turned into a restomod IMHO
I'm pursuing the proverbial happy medium. I purchased my 75 because it was mostly stock and I'm modifying it to improve it's performance, comfort and appearance. I don't plan on any body mods but plan on a new non OEM repaint color on the bad repaint it's currently sport'n.. Since the 75's were woefully under powered performance mod's are both necessary and desired. I kinda like the stock beauty rings and Rally center caps so no mags in the immediate future.
Had it been in very good to excellent OEM condition I'd diligently try to maintain it that way but since it's in need of mucho TLC it's gonna get modd'ed.
Like many have already said it depends, LOL....
Hmm I work to make and keep mine as stock as possible. I just finished putting chrome exhaust side covers to replace the fiberglass ones that came with the car, a smog pump back in, the seat belt buzzer, a front fiber optic harness that had been cut and………
But this is hobby that should make you happy. So whatever does do it!!!!
I had a chance, well opportunity, to put
an entire late model camaro port injected
350 and tranny in my 81.
Ca smog requires whatever engine is used that it be equipped with ALL smog devices req'd on the engine when new.
It would have been double hp and efficient od trans.
I backed out.
If I still had my 68, at the time ca still mandated smog tests but now exempts them,
A resto would have been done.
Our poor smog era gutless machines really need more power, more power, more power.
Hmm I work to make and keep mine as stock as possible. I just finished putting chrome exhaust side covers to replace the fiberglass ones that came with the car, a smog pump back in, the seat belt buzzer, a front fiber optic harness that had been cut and………
But this is hobby that should make you happy. So whatever does do it!!!!
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
but a near 100 point car should not be turned into a restomod IMHO
