Well, here's a topic that I'm sure NEVER has been discussed here: Keeping your car original! :blueangel: :rolleyes: :hat

One of the reasons I built another motor for my '76 is to retain the OEM one that has matching numbers. I've resisted switching from a post-style radio to a new model because I didn't wanna cut the dash.

I bought tires that were the same size as the OEM ones.

Now, all this time has gone by and I have one word to say: HOGWASH!!

Have I been looking at too much over priced/overrated stuff on Ebay???? :hat

Now I've got to find a home for the old 350 for as long as I have the car. I have a substandard stereo. What is making me keep this stuff?? :smash: :flag :nopity

 

I know your pain. I bought a matching numbers car that the previous owner labored long and hard to keep original.

The base engine was fine, but had no power whatsoever. The radio looked good, but did not play worth a hoot. The wheels were original and boring. So, I wrestled with what makes me happy and what makes unhappy. The happy side of me won.

I changed everything. Now, I have a high performance engine, Cragar SS Wheels, a Hurst Competition Plus Shifter and a modern 50 watt CD radio. And lots of other goodies!

So, do what makes you happy. :cheers:


[Modified by OHSIXX, 8:52 PM 12/14/2002]


[Modified by OHSIXX, 8:53 PM 12/14/2002]

 

I changed everything. Now, I have a high performance engine, Cragar SS Wheels, a Hurst Competition Plus Shifter and a modern 50 watt CD radio. And lots of other goodies!



Please let me know your stereo recommendation! :seeya

 

I bought the JVC on the advice of two other members (Paul79 and Slickman, I think.) It was selling locally for $229 and it was on ebay for $154, so that was my motivation. It looks and sounds terrific!

There are lots of good ones out there, so it is hard to go wrong in my opinion. The CD is such a nice feature. I love the oldies. :)


[Modified by OHSIXX, 10:07 AM 12/15/2002]

 

Where do you have the CD player mounted???

 

Talk about switching stereos.. how about this? guy I work with had a NEW in the box am fm 8TRACK! So I'm going to put it in. Now I wish I wouldn't have sold my 8 tracks! :lol: I'm going to send in the registration card :lol:

 

Take a look at mine! Hay OHSIXX!! Yep, it was me :D I was on the Originality kick too. Now I'm doing what makes me happy. I'm just keeping all the OEM stuff..

One thing that’s great about purchasing a car like this is you know it was not screwed with!! You do pay for that knowledge though…$$





[Modified by SLICKMAN, 9:59 PM 12/14/2002]

 

I know how you feel Paul. I struggled with the "originality" issue at first too, but when I started a small project that grew into a monster...I decided that I was going to make things easy on myself for the future and replace parts that are bigger, better, last longer, stronger and faster. Like said above...."do what makes you feel good" :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Eddie

 

I too I'm on the originality band wagon. I took out my CD player and replaced it w/ an ebay am/fm cassette. For me, as this is how the car was built, I feel some responsibility to keep it that way. I only put about 1000 mi. on a year so tunes aren't that important. I enjoy listening to the engine. And I don't care if it is an L-48. I turn enough heads as it is. I could have a four banger under the hood and still turn heads!

 

I don't think it's hogwash. I've tried to limit the changes to my car to those that are reversible (i.e. SS exhaust). If I wanted to make a custom Vette, I would pick up one that has been hacked up already.

Of course, I'm a bit biased since my 74 has 10K original miles and I'm 2nd owner.

It's certainly your car to do as you please, but "modify" responsibly, I say.

Regards,
Jim

PS: Here's an interesting radio....

http://www.absoluteclassics.com/secret.htm


[Modified by 74_LS-4, 10:41 PM 12/14/2002]

 

I try to stay original - WHERE IT IS REASONABLE :thumbs:

For instance, I replaced an aftermarket radio with an original issue - it is not nearly as good of a radio - but it looks good and I don't listen to it anyway. I wanted to replace my fan blade with an original - a pretty unique one ( 454 w/AC ), but for the $250.00 - I figured the current one is just fine. I will replace it with an original if I ever need to replace it though.

Right now I'm wrestling with a color choice decision - The car was originally War Bonnet Yellow - is now Millie Milgia Red. I'm triing to decide on the WBY or Milano Maroon ( which was NOT a '72 color - but I like it).

So I guess I like REASONABLE ORIGINALITY.



[Modified by sray454, 10:40 PM 12/14/2002]

 

What are you saying?!?! Your car will drop all its value and no one will want it if you have to sell it!!! keep it original, you will be doing all corvettes and the USA :flag a great injustice but doing anything otherwise!

i know i have speant thousands to keep my car all original.
:jester :jester :jester :jester :jester :jester

Mine is all original. ive never seen another like it. just the way i want it :yesnod: :cheers:

 

There is something to be said for preserving the option to return your C3 to its original state. I bought my 78 with 21k miles and the owner handed over to me boxes of original parts like radio, door *****, and more than I can recall. He preserved the option for a future owner and perhaps that's the duty of a Corvette trustee.

I can also understand the limitations of the thirty year-old technology and the desire to upgrade to some 21st century stuff.

The questions comes in...at what point in a Corvette's lifecycle does it no longer matter what one does because the value has bottomed out? Only an owner can answer that. In a non-number matching car, doing bolt ons probably enhances the value if done properly and still appeals to a large enough segment of future Corvette owners.

I would say this, the more valued and desirable options a Corvette has the longer it will sustain its value and you probably would not want to mess with its originality.

Of course, the cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed and the fun from owning museum pieces is limited and fleeting. My next C3 is going to be a non-matching early C3 convertible that I can do all those neat things you guys describe.

 

I have not quite original air in the tires... oh ya and the tires arent original... grease in the suspension isnt, bondo in the front fender isnt...

Makes me wonder some times, change the oil... not orignal anymore now is it :crazy:

 

There are degrees of "originality." I prefer the word "stock" as that is my objective. And I have been consistent in that view for quite some time. I try to achieve a balance between the look of the car as it came from the factory and practicality; both in terms of modern technology and cost. Just as an example an "original" part is one that would have been installed on the assembly line. A "service" part is its replacement, one that you can buy over the counter at a GM dealer today. You can hunt hard and long for an original part and many people do. I tend to go with the service part. For example the EGR on my 1979 is GM-discontinued but there is a superseding number and that is what is on the car. But I still have an EGR.

I truly believe that all facets of the Corvette hobby are legitimate. It simply depends on the wishes/objectives of the owner. My objective is to keep my car original looking but at a reasonable cost and utilizing more dependable parts where needed. I guess the bottom line, or where I draw the line, is that I can go back to "original" (assuming I can find the parts) in less than a week.

Here are a few of my compromises:
-paint is code 59 Light Corvette Beige but base/clear DuPont (try to find lacquer paint these days0
-starter is GM high-torque mini; hated that heat soak problem
-alternator is not correct, wanted more output
-tires are right size but new BFG T/As, tire technology has advanced tremendously in 24 years
-I have factory alloy wheels but the car was delivered with rallys
-seats and door panels are vinyl/leather but the car came with cloth/vinyl (the latter not being available when I redid the interior)
-the radio antenna is manual, the power version burnt out and it was a nuisance to replace
-many of the fasteners are the right strength but SS so as to avoid corrosion problems
-mufflers are not GM but stock from a local muffler outlet (I believe they are Walker)
-smog pump is Chevrolet 1972-79, not correct for the Corvette

I may have missed a few items. But this illustrates my philosophy: again, practicality in terms of cost and function whilst retaining a stock appearance. Having said all this, I have a lot of respect for those who do search out the right numbers and conversely those who have a 502 under the hood.






[Modified by paul79, 9:03 AM 12/15/2002]

 

I do modifications to mine that are easily reversible or cannot be detected by the naked eye. (ie, modified distributor advance) I did install chrome valve covers, but the original covers are saved. I don't have room to pull the engine and save it.

 

The CD is in the radio. The radio face folds down and the CD is in there. :)

 

The CD is in the radio. The radio face folds down and the CD is in there

That's what I would like. Simple! What is the model number??? :rolleyes:

 

So what we're saying is this regarding the definitions of "originality" vs "stock"

Originality indicates correctedness to the way the car rolled out of the factory including part numbers, date codes, bolt head configurations, colors, textures.

Stock suggests a Corvette that resembles an original configuration but departs from "correct" parts by using service replacements parts and non-date coded parts that are functionally correct.

Does that work?

 

KD-SX980