I understand it is an issue of preference, but what is roughly the value drop or increase when moving from a matching number setup to a modified one (nicely done off course, and by nicely menaing very well done with aftermarket improvements)

Any comments on values, depreciation, etc.

 

TOTALLY depends on the buyer....impossible to give a figure, I think...If one must generalize, an original example will always be "worth" more $$... but to WHO?

 

I think mines worth about 3-4 times as much as a 1980 matching numbers Corvette. Is that what you mean ?

 

I guess it depends on why you are buying the car - for a street beast or a nice original that will appreciate?

Ed

 

LOL kinda yeahhh

just in a cross road between going complete restoration to original or modified - tend to modify but do not want to screw with car value - and again its a corvette, and there will always be a lover for it.

 

Mine too!!!

 

Mines actually numbers matching anyway, I have all the original parts I took off

 

A frequently asked question....basically it depends on the buyer and wants for the car, some guys think they have a museum piece and a fantasy of a car collection, so the car just sets around gathering dust and get washed once in a while....

other guys actually drive it, and really enjoy it, run the socks off that cat....IF you want to actually enjoy the car, enjoy the chance encounters with other folks, enjoy talking cars you have a fun/fine opportunity to do so....

If you don't enjoy working on cars, there is no particular point to having a old car of any type.....and if you do, you may well have a creative streak that will push your imagination into changing a few things, that is where the camel nose gets in the tent....

it obviously starts with wheels and tires, as any old rubber is trash and can't be safely used....so if you want decent tires, you have to change the wheels....so if you want improvements there you maybe do the suspension....brakes are poor on a good day, so upgrades there too....power steering is well antiquated, suspension rides like a truck, you get the drift.....

then most sharks had like <300 hp not even 10 lbs/hp ratio....

then if you do any freeway driving you need overdrive....

if you appreciate modern FI technology, you put that on....

before you know it, you got MY car.....

worth far more than any stock vette of similar years....why? because it actually has VALUE, not something occupying space in a garage, gathering dust while the owner suffers some delusion of grandeur

 

Do you really mean:


" what's the difference in value of a car you can drive, and one you cannot?"

"something you can enjoy as it was intended to be, or something you can only, longingly, look at?



Sorry, but I fail to see the desire to own a museum piece, or a car that's identical to so many others.

Nothing like a quality custom to turn heads....

 

The idea is to enojoy, tehrefore agree, go mods

will keep an update on the evolution.

 

What really bothers me are the pinheads that buy these old collectable cars for their value like a painting or piece of art and then of course they don't drive it.

All this does is inflate the price of a car some real car guy wants but can't afford anymore. Ever see the prices for 69 Camaros or Chevelles and most are fake with SS badges glued on them

 

We have all seen the ADD, numbers matching with an inflated price tag.To me, if a seller states numbers matching he better be selling on that point. I mean, if its a POS, who cares if the numbers match,unless its a Big Block, LT1 or L46 Price can be justified in a Clean, well cared for car, that doesn`t look monkeyed with. Modifed cars, don`t loose much value, if all original parts were kept. And the mod was done nicely, and not coobeled up. The dicision to remain stock, or modify comes down to some questions by the current owner. 1. How close is the car to stock now? ie custom paint or some crazy color,headers,converted to 383 stroker,Fixed headlights, air pump and A/C gone. 2. What is its current value ? ie 68-72 big block or lt1, convertable, pace car,collectors edition, or just a clean original. 3. To what crowd will I sell to ?, or will I ever sell ? I personally would buy an original well taken care of car, long before I would a souped up, jacked with, had the **** run out of it modified car. But, if a car has been improved upon by an overdrive trans for better MPG ,a better riding or handling suspension, better brakes, even a high end sound system can give more value, if the buyer wants those things.Its the buyer that has the same interest as you that will pay a premium for items that are not original.

 

No set rules...way too complicated and changes over time. By values and depreciation, I am assuming you are speaking about the market. Everyone so far is speaking about the value that their car has to them, not what somebody else is willing to pay them for it. Whichever way you decide to go, these old cars are not a good financial investment. Whatever you spend, you will be lucky to ever get all of your money back. Forget about making money. These cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed. That will likely be the only return on your investment.

 

Love your take on these things, I'm doing a complete retro and see just a few guys sneering down their noses at "why would you destroy a complete running vette". It's all in what your end result desired is. I would never allow end value to dictate my desire. Do what you want, after all it's your car.

Steve

 

The term "modded" gets a reaction by some as a curse word. They think any mod is a step backwards, and the truth is modern components are way better than ANY 30 plus year old component. If mods are done right, you will and can have a BETTER car. I for one would much rather buy a C3 with new brakes, Steeroids, maybe a stroker, a 4 speed Auto or maybe even a 6 speed....my point is a modded car will stir something in guys like me far more than a stock car ever could, there are others that are exactly the opposite and that is fine too.............but a good restomod is a work of art.

 

Nicely said, I live in Phoenix and occasionally go to Barrett Jackson. A completely original well done auto, smallblock, t top maybe 25-30k, unless it's a special edit. of some kind. A complete equally well done retro up to 100k, depending upon components. So dollar value "only" I think for return go upgrade. But again its all in what your "vision" is.

Steve

 

I build my cars to drive not to sit and collect dust,

 

Depends entirely on the car itself - if its a BB '68 or '69 leave it alone and it will bring the money -there will always be a buyer for a highly desirable, low production #, original car

If its an auto '76 model mod away and who really cares

Some of us did not have the luxury of making that decision as the original motors on most of these 40 yr old cars is long gone

BTW, I chuckle when I see "date correct" block..........blah, blah, blah. All that means is someone sourced a block from another vehicle built during the same time

 

That's why I went the retro route, an original 68 SB auto, so what right? BUT I have all the original stuff, including the engine. It only had 386,425.1 miles on it.

Steve