Would I be a fool to....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 268
From: southern tip of lake michigan Indiana
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Modified
Would I be a fool to....
Modify my very original 1969 L-46? Most all numbers match, 62k miles, Monaco orange, roadster. Low option car has been repainted but needs it again. I started off looking for a nice car I could hot rod, and somehow wound up with a numbers car. My thoughts are hot small block with a tremec 5 spd, borgenson steering, big block hood.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I'd modify it and have fun with it...Who cares what someone else's opinion of 'your' car is?
I have owned and worked on these cars since the late 70s. It was fun back then as it didn't matter if your car was custom or a ratty driver- being a Vette was all that mattered.
This hobby has changed - a lot of the fun is gone to now more of a competition on who's is 'more' original.
FWIW-
Richard
I have owned and worked on these cars since the late 70s. It was fun back then as it didn't matter if your car was custom or a ratty driver- being a Vette was all that mattered.
This hobby has changed - a lot of the fun is gone to now more of a competition on who's is 'more' original.
FWIW-
Richard
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 268
From: southern tip of lake michigan Indiana
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Modified
I've got Dads 57 that's been hot rodded since the 60's. Maybe I should just refine the 69 and continue to mod the 57. OR I could sell the 69 and buy that midyear coupe I've wanted for the past 45 years! Yes I am that wishy washy!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Make your 69 the car you want, enjoy it and have fun driving it. Corvettes are hot rods, muscle cars, and sports cars all rolled into one. It sounds like you have modify in your blood like many of us do. Anything stock will never do and you know you will never be satisfied with stock. There is nothing wrong with keeping it all original if that's who you are and what you want. We are all different and so are the cars we build.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
To the casual observer my 69 coupe looks stock. It originally had the L48 and turbo 400, all original and never been taken apart. Now it's sporting a 434 SBC with a 200R4 under the stock hood. I kept all the original parts, so that in the future someone could put it back to original if so desired. My vote is 'it's your car make it what you want'. T
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
GM should have used a Borgeson type unit and offset upper control arms on C3. GM put a variable ratio Borgeson type steering on GTO's back then.
Put the stuff you take off in storage, you love the steering! Would like a 5 speed.
Put the stuff you take off in storage, you love the steering! Would like a 5 speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I would do whatever you want to do with it....its your car. Don't listen to anyone who says different. People are retro-modding C2 and C1 Corvettes, and I bet they enjoy what they are doing, and enjoy what they get to drive. Others like to buy cars to start their own private museum. What do you want?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 314
Likes: 50
From: Woodbury NJ
There are purists who do beautiful jobs of restoring these cars to pristine, stock condition. I'm not one of them. While yours is a high value chrome bumper car (I love 'em!), i have a 74 L48 coupe and am modifying it. I would do the same to any year mainly because I drive it and want to enjoy it. I am upgrading everything I can: cabin heat shield, aluminum radiator, electric fans, Borgeson steering, electric fuel pump, lowered suspension and modified control arms, overdrive trans, leds lights inside and out, upgraded wiring. And the most powerful engine my budget will allow at the moment. Fuel injection is next. Basically I'm bringing the car to the 1990's/2000's in every way I can. Like others said, I'm making it mine,and it'll be fun to drive!
Not to mention the restomods are fetching higher prices at mecum then stock models. But that's a moot point for me, mine will never go to mecum.
Life is short. Make it yours. Drive it! ;-)
Not to mention the restomods are fetching higher prices at mecum then stock models. But that's a moot point for me, mine will never go to mecum.
Life is short. Make it yours. Drive it! ;-)
Last edited by Cool bean; Sep 15, 2017 at 09:49 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
There are a lot of '69 L46s around. Do what you want without regret! The mods you mention (tremec, borgeson, BB hood) are all reversible if you change your mind later.
I have the borgeson and a T5 in my 69 with a warmed over ZQ3 engine, I love every minute in it. I sold a near perfect numbers car when I was afraid to drive it anymore and bought this one to mod and drive. Much happier now.
I have the borgeson and a T5 in my 69 with a warmed over ZQ3 engine, I love every minute in it. I sold a near perfect numbers car when I was afraid to drive it anymore and bought this one to mod and drive. Much happier now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 926
Likes: 200
From: TX
You are right Revi! Should not have said "never." The more I drive the 69 the more I would like to explore her capabilities. Driving lessons at the track really gave me a clue as to how awesome the C5 is (and how unawesome my driving skills were!)
VS
VS
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Do what you want to it. A client was so dissapointed in his 68 390 hp dog. We installed a high hp 454. With a removable cross member, 5 speed, modern 18 inch tires and wheels, qa1s coil overs. .................. the vette is actually fun to drive
All the original crap is in a wooden crate
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
When I'm done with my 73, it will be pristine, show quality with original interior and all the classic lines, but under the exterior it will be extremely modified in performance and handling. I'll show it, drive it and look forward to classic track days just to see how it will do on the open road and up against serious beasts. I don't have room for all the OEM parts that will come off the car, so they will be sold off to someone who needs them. Please don't condemn me for breaking the 11th commandment.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 268
From: southern tip of lake michigan Indiana
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Modified
I am not now nor have I ever been a "numbers" guy. I'm just hesitant to be the guy who messes up an original car. For a proper restoration the car would have to come apart, so I guess it doesn't matter if the original parts are in a box or still on the car. Thanks for straightening me out!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
A fool would be a person who settles for less than what they want this is afterall YOUR car it doesnt matter one obese rodants rectum if some purist gets a huge butthurting knot in their panties over what you do with it, thats a them problem not a you problem,
I also support the guy who is happy to own a never driven showroom stock museum piece,
Or anything in between,
So make the car what you want it to be whatever that is...i know im doing that with my 69....
I also support the guy who is happy to own a never driven showroom stock museum piece,
Or anything in between,
So make the car what you want it to be whatever that is...i know im doing that with my 69....