Resto Mod or what?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
Resto Mod or what?
I am torn between selling my 72 restored factory correct 350, 4 speed Stingray or just turning it into something like the Jimmie Johnson SEMA Corvette. I have had my 72 for over 10 years and need to do something new. Or maybe just sell the 72 and buy a new C7 Stingray! I need some help, your thoughts?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
I am torn between selling my 72 restored factory correct 350, 4 speed Stingray or just turning it into something like the Jimmie Johnson SEMA Corvette. I have had my 72 for over 10 years and need to do something new. Or maybe just sell the 72 and buy a new C7 Stingray! I need some help, your thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Start by doing the math. What's you correct car worth? Can you sell it for what it's worth in a timely manner? How far do you want to go with a resto mod? Frame swap? Budget? All things to consider before hand. If you're not going to do any "cutting" you can turn your current car into what you want, save all the parts, when and if it ever comes time to sell you have a 2 in 1 car to market. Good luck with what ever you decide.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
As some one who has taken a perfectly good corvette and has done 3 major renovation- modernization projects to it in the last 30 years I can easily say " Don't do it". Its nothing like having your friends who don't know cars asking " why did You take it apart this time ? So if You went to all the trouble of re painting it why did you do the same color ? So this engine wasn't here before ? what was wrong with the last one ?
To build a resto mod I would start out with a total wreak. All that really matters is that it isn't rusted. And then transform it into something special. Your going to scratch Your car and end up painting it anyway. Its more work to remove good paint than bad. A buddy of mine just built a 62, and I advised him to buy the Frame and Engine and build that wile waiting for a Body to show up on Craigslist. It all worked out he now has a great car. I figure I could of built 3 separate cars for the same amount of time I have into mine. You will end up with before and after pictures to be proud of.
To build a resto mod I would start out with a total wreak. All that really matters is that it isn't rusted. And then transform it into something special. Your going to scratch Your car and end up painting it anyway. Its more work to remove good paint than bad. A buddy of mine just built a 62, and I advised him to buy the Frame and Engine and build that wile waiting for a Body to show up on Craigslist. It all worked out he now has a great car. I figure I could of built 3 separate cars for the same amount of time I have into mine. You will end up with before and after pictures to be proud of.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Sell the numbers matching. I would by a tube frame from one of the vendors set up with all the coil over modern suspension, drop in LS with 5 speed. Then find a body of your liking that has the frame rusted out.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,599
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
As another member said.....If you can restomod the car without cutting on the body or the frame/save the removed original parts and have FUN!
With all the bolt-on components available today you could have a field day modding the car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
small block cars aren't a big money seller, so if you restomod'ed your current car it would only make it more valuable. Unless you do something major it can be returned to stock, I would just restomod what you have
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Well, if you even consider buying a C7, do it! As great as they are they flat out don't appeal to me. I want an old hot rod 'vette. Sounds like you are not sure, so put it on the forum and make one of us happy 
I myself ended up with a '71 LS-5 about 10 years ago w 41k miles. What did I do? Set about making it better. Big wilwoods, VBP suspension, 16" Amercian Racing TTs w better rubber, a killer stance and the OEM block from the general how displaces 489 and pulls stumps! I could return it to orginal if I needed to,but why? This is just too much fun.
I myself ended up with a '71 LS-5 about 10 years ago w 41k miles. What did I do? Set about making it better. Big wilwoods, VBP suspension, 16" Amercian Racing TTs w better rubber, a killer stance and the OEM block from the general how displaces 489 and pulls stumps! I could return it to orginal if I needed to,but why? This is just too much fun.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I agree some what, your 72 is worth a little more than my plastic bumper 76. If you plan on hot rodding it, which I don't disagree with, pull the entire engine and bag it, then proceed with the mods.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
AND, if you are doing any kind of mod to the front or rear of the car, start with a 74-77 with shot plastic bumpers so none of us will want to come to your house and hit you about the head repeatedly...