Original Sin...Pardon the Pun...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Original Sin...Pardon the Pun...
Cheezy topic line, but it does seem that not keeping your car original certainly carries a penalty. The thread about the 73 on ebay not getting the $$ he is asking because it is not orginal got me thinking about this. Why is it that a non original car gets less $$, or in some cases even less respect. Seems to not be fair in the case of a modified car, that is done in a proper/professional manner. It would seem to me that the main point of keeping a car original is style. Meaning a person is trying to keep the look that the car had at the time. But as far a performance goes no one could argue that technology has advanced in the 20, 30...years since the car was new. Other than doing mods that change the apearance of the car why is there a penalty for "upgrading" to higher tech or better low tech parts? Personally I have tried to keep the apearance of my car original while upgrading performance. I am not picking on the original guys, just wondering what the draw is. In my case it would mean driving a car that weighs 3500 lbs and has 190 hp. Maybe if I had a L88 my opinion would be different! :cheers: Those are my deep thoughts for the day... :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,226
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (DollaGreen)
Here's the deal. I own a 78 Silver Anniversary.... all original. I went to more than a dozen car shows this Summer and never saw another one. Most people modify or customize their cars... and it's great. A fantastic hobby. But in the four years I've never seen another all original Vette like mine. I've had hundreds of people come up and say... Wow!...that's what it looked like when it rolled off the line? Wow! Then move on. No big deal... but it's kind of nice to keep a 25 year old car looking the way it was made all those years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (DollaGreen)
I love seeing an all original car. But some of these cars (untouched, original late C3's) are pure dogs. They were the premier sports car in their day, but that was like a "Who's thinner than Oprah contest?" Not hard to win.
It's a catch 22. The later C3's aren't respected because, by todays standards, they're so slow (if original, and I'm talking about the mid 70's models, up through 82). But modify them to run, and this isn't hard to do, and you'll have some purist sneering at you because you messed with the formula. A formula that really didn't work in the first place.
When it comes to the mid 70's and up models, I love seeing an all original car. And they have their place and they're fun to look at. But I'll never own one. I want something fun. That's why I've take the direction I have, with mine. And in my mind, the modified late C3's make great sleepers. People look at my light blue Vette, and they scoff because it's a late C3. Shame on them. Anything could be under that hood.
My $.02
It's a catch 22. The later C3's aren't respected because, by todays standards, they're so slow (if original, and I'm talking about the mid 70's models, up through 82). But modify them to run, and this isn't hard to do, and you'll have some purist sneering at you because you messed with the formula. A formula that really didn't work in the first place.
When it comes to the mid 70's and up models, I love seeing an all original car. And they have their place and they're fun to look at. But I'll never own one. I want something fun. That's why I've take the direction I have, with mine. And in my mind, the modified late C3's make great sleepers. People look at my light blue Vette, and they scoff because it's a late C3. Shame on them. Anything could be under that hood.
My $.02
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (joeveto)
^ bingo. when i bought my vette i was concerned with this. it wasnt a "fast" car but it was the fastest id ever driven so i was ok with it. well then the motor went out. it was its time to go, so sadly i kept the numbers matching 350. we rebuilt and beef it up a little, specs are in my sig, but i today wish that i would have bought a decent 427 or 454. or even spent a little more and bought a 427/454 block and built it. i would have more power, more rumble, and i could have installed a 5 or 6 speed. the reason i dont want to keep my original is because its a 79. there were 50 some thousand vettes sold for the 79 model year, so if a collector wants a 79, they will have no prob finding an original. the rarest option i had was yellow paint that wasnt original any way. so i said screw it! custom everything, i want this to be MY car... and i want it to represent what a Corvette should be. great handling, fast a poopie on a slip & slide and looks that could kill.
i do like originals... c1s and c2s i love originality and on rare vettes L-88 L-89 ZL-1 etc...
i do like originals... c1s and c2s i love originality and on rare vettes L-88 L-89 ZL-1 etc...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 0
From: Gettin crazy with the Cheez Whiz! OK
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (joeveto)
I'm with joeveto, if my car had been original in every way I would have left it like that. But mine was far from completely original when I got it and now I'm doing the upgrades. I am keeping it stock looking on the outside though.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Evans GA
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (KENS78SILVERANNIV)
Around here [Augusta GA], all the 'vettes that go to the shows are original and most of the owners are purists. Fortunately there are 2 customized ones that show up occasionally, my Maco and a friends Greenwood.
The problem with a random customization is that it typically will only please a few people. The people that it appeals to will be willing to pay for it, the rest wouldn't give $2 for it.
[Modified by djunod, 1:31 AM 10/3/2002]
The problem with a random customization is that it typically will only please a few people. The people that it appeals to will be willing to pay for it, the rest wouldn't give $2 for it.
[Modified by djunod, 1:31 AM 10/3/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (djunod)
My '77 was almost totally original when I bought her. But time takes its toll on old machines, and I decided to rebuild using better-than-stock mechanical components where possible while keeping the original appearance. So I've changed out the old 7-leaf spring for a fiberglass unit from Muskegon Brake, replaced the strut rods with VB&P Smart Struts, replaced the tie rods with solid type rods with jam nuts, installed a high efficiency radiator core on the original tanks, etc. Oh, and let's not forget the 355 with Vortec heads, or the replacement of the 8-track AM/FM radio with a CD player and 320 watts of amplification. She's not original, but I sacrificed originality for better power, handling, and sound system. The beauty is, if I really felt the urge to go back to the way the factory built her, I could. Not that I have any plans to do that, though.
Now if I can only find enough time to get to that final 10 percent of the work that needs to be done...
Now if I can only find enough time to get to that final 10 percent of the work that needs to be done...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (DollaGreen)
I think it's because any changes from original are individual likes and preferences and are probably unique to the person doing them, with some notable exceptions (radial tires come to mind!). Many older performance cars have been modified many times and thus an untouched example becomes a relatively rare sight, and thus more valuable. The modified car is probably a better looking or driving example, but worth less.
Hans
Hans
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,245
Likes: 4
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun...
These arguments are only relative if you intend on selling your car. Now granted, not everyone is a lifer like me.........
So what is the reason each of you bought your Corvette?
- short term - or - in for the long term?
- investment - or - the greatest possible personal enjoyment?
- resale value - or - highest level possible of performance (sports, muscle, whatever)?
Only you can answer these questions. I've already answered them for myself way over 30 years ago. :D
So what is the reason each of you bought your Corvette?
- short term - or - in for the long term?
- investment - or - the greatest possible personal enjoyment?
- resale value - or - highest level possible of performance (sports, muscle, whatever)?
Only you can answer these questions. I've already answered them for myself way over 30 years ago. :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (DollaGreen)
Well .... It seem to be the trend with all antiques so why not old corvettes too? If you refinish an old piece of furniture, you will ruin it's value even if the old finish was in bad shape. The more cars that get modified, hopped up or customized, the less original cars will be left and therefore more valuable. But then you have to find the right buyer... That's not always easy.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Rock Creek OH
Re: Original Sin...Pardon the Pun... (DollaGreen)
I think it's a matter of personal preference.
Mine was original when I bought it, (except for the CD player which will be replaced this winter.) As she was this way, I feel some responsibility to keep her this way. Sure it may be a dog by today's standards, but it's the coolest looking, fastest running dog I've ever owmed! I also get my fair share of admirers at shows.!!!:)
Mine was original when I bought it, (except for the CD player which will be replaced this winter.) As she was this way, I feel some responsibility to keep her this way. Sure it may be a dog by today's standards, but it's the coolest looking, fastest running dog I've ever owmed! I also get my fair share of admirers at shows.!!!:)
