to modify or not to modify
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: RED SOX NATION
to modify or not to modify
You guys have really got me confused. I just recently bought a really nice 69 vert 350/350 all numbers matching almost all original for a cheap price. I am very happy with it and have planned to clean it up and dress it up a little bit.
Now I'm addicted to this forum. I have lost it since I have looked at tshorts's page. I really like that car. I'm excited to work on my car now but not sure what direction to go. [IMG][/IMG]
:banghead:
[Modified by NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69', 1:40 PM 11/27/2003]
[Modified by NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69', 1:46 PM 11/27/2003]
Now I'm addicted to this forum. I have lost it since I have looked at tshorts's page. I really like that car. I'm excited to work on my car now but not sure what direction to go. [IMG][/IMG]
:banghead:
[Modified by NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69', 1:40 PM 11/27/2003]
[Modified by NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69', 1:46 PM 11/27/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
It won't take long until you spend your life savings on your car. Then you'll be pimping yourself out on street corners like the rest of us on the forum just so you can save up for mods. Join your local corvette cult and when you die ask them to bury you in your vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: to modify or not to modify (Boofers)
If the car you have is really "all numbers matching" and is very original I strongly advise you limit your activity to "cleaning it up", and be careful about "dressing it up". When I hear "dressing it up" it brings up images of chrome dressup kits :lol: Why this advice? Because almost every modification you make to an "original numbers matching car" will not only cost you money + labor for the mod, but will simultaneously lower the market value of your car. This forum spreads the "mod disease" like the plague! :lol: Better to sell your car and buy a NOM that you can further modify.... You will typically come out ahead that way. MJ
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: to modify or not to modify (MNJack)
Agree with Mark. If it's truly an original car, just about everything you do to "modify" it will cost you money in the long run. That being said, it's your car, and you can do what you want with it. The modifications you perform will cost you dollars when it comes time to sell. :) Chuck
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Re: to modify or not to modify (Chuck Gongloff)
Just remember it is your car. Do what makes you happy.
[Modified by OHSIXX, 9:49 AM 11/28/2003]
[Modified by OHSIXX, 9:49 AM 11/28/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
Keep your numbers matching ( Chrome bumpered car ) ORIGINAL!
If you want a toy for the street, buy a 74/82, you can buy nice cars for cheap and do all your mods to it rather than spoiling a nice numbers matching, chrome bumpered car. I bought a very nice 75 this past summer and I am in the process of building a 383 for it. I will never get my money back, but we will have a ton of fun blowing the doors off the rice grinders, with our gray hair blowing in the breeze. You can keep the nice car/cars in the garage and they will only increase in value. We don't have state inspection in the state that I am in, so you can basically do what you want with your car without being hasseled by someone over an inspection.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Good luck
:chevy :chevy
If you want a toy for the street, buy a 74/82, you can buy nice cars for cheap and do all your mods to it rather than spoiling a nice numbers matching, chrome bumpered car. I bought a very nice 75 this past summer and I am in the process of building a 383 for it. I will never get my money back, but we will have a ton of fun blowing the doors off the rice grinders, with our gray hair blowing in the breeze. You can keep the nice car/cars in the garage and they will only increase in value. We don't have state inspection in the state that I am in, so you can basically do what you want with your car without being hasseled by someone over an inspection.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Good luck
:chevy :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
I had the same problem when I did my 69.
So what I decided on where mods that could be easily changed back (maybe not in a day...but didn't involve costly, lengthy alterations)And everything I took off, I kept.
All my changes are external, the interior I left stock, but the engine bay I added some bits and I added wheels and the hood (though I had the original painted and test fit at the same time as the car was painted)
I now have the best of both worlds, have the car the way I want it and IF I ever decide to sell it, I can quickly put it back.
This is just my opinion, you should do what you WANT to do and not what you think other people would do, after all, you paid for it, you insure it and you drive it around.
cheers
Nick
[Modified by lvrpool32, 10:02 AM 11/28/2003]
So what I decided on where mods that could be easily changed back (maybe not in a day...but didn't involve costly, lengthy alterations)And everything I took off, I kept.
All my changes are external, the interior I left stock, but the engine bay I added some bits and I added wheels and the hood (though I had the original painted and test fit at the same time as the car was painted)
I now have the best of both worlds, have the car the way I want it and IF I ever decide to sell it, I can quickly put it back.
This is just my opinion, you should do what you WANT to do and not what you think other people would do, after all, you paid for it, you insure it and you drive it around.
cheers
Nick
[Modified by lvrpool32, 10:02 AM 11/28/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
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From: Lake Norman NC
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
Butcher it.. :lol: i got a 69 vert thats been garaged kept, and never seen a day of restoration or rebuilding. Well, i got her stripped down, and its going to look awesome when i'm finished. Bottom line, its your car...don't compromise yourself with the ideas of others. do what you know you'll be 110% satisfied with.. :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
I was in the same boat last year. Couldn't decide whether to leave it original or modify for my needs. After sitting on the fence for the longest time, I decided to only upgrade with bolt on parts so I can go back to original whenever I wanted. SO.....next spring I am 'bolting on' a new engine and tranny :D
Do her the way you like it.........
Do her the way you like it.........
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
I just sold my mostly original '68 vert for this very reason. For me, the enjoyment of this hobby is much greater if I don't have to worry about originality and/or return on investment. I've learned to look at this as a true hobby, no different that some guys that go out on Sunday and drop $100+ for a round of golf or tickets to a football game.
There are lots of different types of Vette owners out there. Some like to own something rare, some like to wash, wax and show, some like to plan, research, and build something different. You just have to decide what you want to do with your free time. h
There are lots of different types of Vette owners out there. Some like to own something rare, some like to wash, wax and show, some like to plan, research, and build something different. You just have to decide what you want to do with your free time. h
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Re: to modify or not to modify (Redshark6974)
Butcher it.. :lol: i got a 69 vert thats been garaged kept, and never seen a day of restoration or rebuilding. Well, i got her stripped down, and its going to look awesome when i'm finished. Bottom line, its your car...don't compromise yourself with the ideas of others. do what you know you'll be 110% satisfied with.. :cheers:
[Modified by AGVI, 5:46 PM 11/28/2003]
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: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
Clean her up and leave her alone. If you want a modded car, go buy one. If you have a numbers matching car, leave it be. Just my $.02
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: RED SOX NATION
Re: to modify or not to modify (MNJack)
You are so right " MOD DISEASE ! ".... I think I will just keep it all original.... even down to the 4 red stripe ovals that it's sitting on. It'd funny but I had to bribe my girlfriend with a engagement ring after I bought the vette to calm her down a little....
nice ring too! we're getting married next year so figure that gives me plenty of time to find an additional chrome bumper vette to modify... she wont even realize what's going on with all the wedding planning going on :reddevil
thanks for all the advise! :cheers:
nice ring too! we're getting married next year so figure that gives me plenty of time to find an additional chrome bumper vette to modify... she wont even realize what's going on with all the wedding planning going on :reddevil
thanks for all the advise! :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
There's always things you can do to an all *original* vette and not take away from the value like headers and a better flowing exhaust system. There's lots of good alternatives out there and I'm working on changing over to chambered exhaust over these Thanksgiving holidays.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
Chris, I probably shouldn't have emailed you that link to the ZZ383... :D I agree with most here...keep the '69 original...Actully, you'd probably be better off just getting rid of it...I'll give ya 5k for it...you wouldn't lose that much...go buy yourself a nice '75 and drop in that 383...and both of us will be happy!
:rofl:
:rofl:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Re: to modify or not to modify (NOTHIN'LIKE'A'69')
I can relate to your dilemma. I have wrestled with this issue on numerous occasions. The bottom line is we are probably talking about a "relativly" small amount of depreciation due to mods. Today you go in to by almost any car and its min $30k. Point is, unless you have an L-88 >$100K car or similar, why worry about it.. Do what you want and have fun...... Keep all the parts just in case (on the remote chance) it turns into somthing real special. I like some of the other guy's advice....get multiple vettes and do both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :steering:
Bob - Bullshark
Bob - Bullshark