To Restore, or to Modify?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
To Restore, or to Modify?
Hello all,
I just aquired a 1982 Collectors Edition Corvette. I got it for pretty cheap as the seller thought it had a salvaged title after a theft recovery many years ago, but it turns out that it just had a replacment Vin Tag, which is affixed to the drivers door jam, the Title is clean.
My original intention was to fix it up however I saw fit, modifying along the way for better handling and power, not really paying attantion that it was a Collectors Edition, with regards to keeping it original. But now I am wondering, would I be ruining a restorable specimen? Does the replacment Vin Tag ruin its chances of being a "Collector"? The car is in fairly good shape, besides needing some weather/moldings and new seats, a little work in the interior, the removal of a class II trailer hitch
, and fixing a constant electrical drain that killed the battery.
I am only into ther car for $2500.
Any opinions?
No really, what do you all think?
Lygriek
I just aquired a 1982 Collectors Edition Corvette. I got it for pretty cheap as the seller thought it had a salvaged title after a theft recovery many years ago, but it turns out that it just had a replacment Vin Tag, which is affixed to the drivers door jam, the Title is clean.
My original intention was to fix it up however I saw fit, modifying along the way for better handling and power, not really paying attantion that it was a Collectors Edition, with regards to keeping it original. But now I am wondering, would I be ruining a restorable specimen? Does the replacment Vin Tag ruin its chances of being a "Collector"? The car is in fairly good shape, besides needing some weather/moldings and new seats, a little work in the interior, the removal of a class II trailer hitch
, and fixing a constant electrical drain that killed the battery.I am only into ther car for $2500.
Any opinions?
No really, what do you all think?
Lygriek
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by Lygriek
Hello all,
I just aquired a 1982 Collectors Edition Corvette. I got it for pretty cheap as the seller thought it had a salvaged title after a theft recovery many years ago, but it turns out that it just had a replacment Vin Tag, which is affixed to the drivers door jam, the Title is clean.
No really, what do you all think?
I just aquired a 1982 Collectors Edition Corvette. I got it for pretty cheap as the seller thought it had a salvaged title after a theft recovery many years ago, but it turns out that it just had a replacment Vin Tag, which is affixed to the drivers door jam, the Title is clean.
No really, what do you all think?
Than there is the story of a "replacement VIN tag" and how that happened...its not easy to remove a windshield and replace a tag...so how did that happen? The story must sound reasonable to a prospective investor.
So I would work on documenting the car first approach it as tho you're a wary buyer. If you're satisifed work to restore its originality...otherwise mode the crap out of it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 0
From: A high school diploma fixing what a college degree broke TN
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Just my opinion,but if its a rare edition and pretty close to original,I would keep it that way.Sell it as is,or restore it back to stock,sell it and put the money into a non numbers matching vette you can do whatever you want to with without hurting its potential value.Again,just my opinion and 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 0
From: A high school diploma fixing what a college degree broke TN
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Also do a search here in C3,a member named Platato posted the details of who to contact at GM to get the dealer invoice on your car for free.Maybe a copy of the original invoice can help you document the history of the car in some way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I think he is referring to the VIN sticker, often removed for paint jobs.
http://www.drdecal.com/store/search....id=127&ccat=63
http://www.drdecal.com/store/search....id=127&ccat=63
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
Well, I know the original owner, well kinda, I aquired it from her son. He just didn't have time for the car and really was not interested in it. The car had been stolen I think twice, the second time it was gone for a long time. Turned out the LAPD had known where the car was but decided to follow it to catch more of the bad guys, in the mean time the vin tags were removed and replace with the vin tags off of a cadilac. I guess we are lucky it was not stripped for parts.
Its been mostly parked for 10 years, non-op. When she was driving it before she drove it everywhere, odometer says 36k, but I woiuld bet its more like 136k.
For now I think I will concentrate on getting it running and driving like original, and keep researching.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Lygriek
Its been mostly parked for 10 years, non-op. When she was driving it before she drove it everywhere, odometer says 36k, but I woiuld bet its more like 136k.
For now I think I will concentrate on getting it running and driving like original, and keep researching.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Lygriek
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
.... if you think it doesn't handle good enough then upgrade the suspension, if you think it's not fast enough then upgrade the engine....it is your car and you are the one that drives it and who enjoys it.... do what you want....
EXCEPT : 28" wheels and/or a 87" wide aluminum spoiler
EXCEPT : 28" wheels and/or a 87" wide aluminum spoiler
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
do what you want with it ..........the title/vin issue will never go away and will detract from the price for someone who is "picky" about those things....or they will use it to "bargain you down"
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
It will never bring what an unmolested CE will, but the 82 CE is a desirable C3. I would fix it if most of the CE parts are still there. If you don't really like it, fix it and buy something else to cut up and modify. It's still worth considerably more than a "plain" 82 with similar history.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
Condition is everything here IMHO. If the car is still nice, you would do better to keep it that way. If it shows a few more signs of wear and tear, you can go ahead and mod it out as desired. Plenty of real nice museum quality CE Vettes out there still so once it starts to get used-up, the extra value drops out of the equation quickly. Take a look at the prices of 78 Pace Cars once they get a few thousand miles under their belt. The price drops down to reasonable real fast.
I think the wear and tear is a blessing in a way. You can do more to the car without changing the value much.
-Mark.
I think the wear and tear is a blessing in a way. You can do more to the car without changing the value much.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale Ca
Thanks for all the input, I think I am leaning toward the Slightly Modified route. The wear and tear on the car I realize now is considerable, seats are nearly usless, miles are high, interior is a mess. Body is straight but paint needs to be redone. All the weather striping is shot.
It seams like all the collector badges and stuff like the wheels are in excellent shape. If I could just get it to start... Fuel problems... Injector are firing, spark is good, fuel pump seems to be running... need to check pressure I guess.
It ran fine before the battery died, new battery... no go?
Any wisdom on Corvette quirks regarding this subject?
Thanks,
Lygriek
It seams like all the collector badges and stuff like the wheels are in excellent shape. If I could just get it to start...
Fuel problems... Injector are firing, spark is good, fuel pump seems to be running... need to check pressure I guess.It ran fine before the battery died, new battery... no go?
Any wisdom on Corvette quirks regarding this subject?
Thanks,
Lygriek