Russky

Is it worthwhile to pursue a '60 Corvette with a nom 350 motor? What is an average price for such a car. I might consider purchasing this car with the thought of buying a 283 engine with casting and head numbers correct for this model.

wmf62

whatever you do, you are still going to end up with a NOM; no obvious benefit, and an additional expense.... i'd drive it just like it is...

Bill

GTOguy

Yes. Average price for a good driver condition car is 40-60k. You'd be better off buying a car that already has the original engine if that's your bag. Lots of them out there, and not much more money, unless fuel injected or a special car. My '61 has a NOM 383 stroker that looks like a 283 and it doesn't bother me a bit. I'm glad I bought the car.

DSR

Depends on your plans/usage of the car. If your into the investment thing or going after the NCRS awards maybe a more original /correct one would be better bang for your buck. If your buying it to drive and have fun I would not hesitate for a second with a 350 motor.

DZAUTO

In my book, the ONLY benefit to having a correct or original 265 or 283, is for having a car with originality and/or correctness. In a 55-61 car, a 327-250-400 is sooooooooooooo much more enjoyable! I have a very healthy, strong running SB400 in my 56, and there is no reason that I would chose to return it to a correct style 265. BUT, if you are a SERIOUS numbers person, then that is a completely different issue.
Correctness and originality are great to look at and admire, but kick@zz driving is where the REAL enjoyment takes place!

SDVette

How old of a 350?

My 61 has a 1970 350 LT-1 shortblock.
Without looking at numbers, the only "tell" is the lack of draft tube, and the addition of PCV. So it looks basically correct-ish for the car.

More modern 350's will have a very different look.

Randy G.

I drove a 1960 Corvette to work and school from 1973-1976 that had an LT1 350 in it. It isn't VIN#0062 is it?

Westlotorn

The 265 would not be nearly as fun to drive as the 350, far less torque.
Good advice has already been posted above.

mmaturo

I'm in the get a driver and enjoy it camp with my 60. My 60 is a later Vortec V8 crate motor and newer transmission. Exactly the range mentioned on price and I love it. Great exhaust sound, a pile of hp and torque I cannot ever use and more modern/reliable set up that I'm happy with. Otherwise from the outside and really in the bay also thanks to the valve covers and carburetor it looks like any other 60 to a passer by. A sorta restomod. Anyway for my use it is a wonderful driver and I will never bother doing more with it since it already is a bastard child on a so so redone frame and a not bad body. Fully frame off restored but stuff is clearly welded not like the factory but visual from above things look really good just not perfect.

Pop Chevy

I got a 60 that's been Hot Rodded, it's got a 355 in it. I was at a car cruise and some guy told me I should find a correct 283 for it, I asked..... why ??? His response was "it will be worth more money then." My response was "not to me !" Shoot, I'm going to start a 406 build for it.

C2 Hot Cam Guy

sO TRUE FROM A C2 WITH A 383 STROKER KICK - @ZZ

59BlueSilver

I probably would not have my C1 if I had to wait around for an original motor and miss out on a lot of fun. I love my 350 and there is a lot you can do to make it look original, at least to a novice.

ptjsk

As you can see, the original motor craze is just about gone.

Many of us would rather build a healthy motor, have a bit of modification, and actually enjoy the cars.

Sure, there are some beautiful restored originals, but they are becoming pretty scarce. Even more so if people drive them.

I sure wouldn't let a non original motor deter me from purchasing a nice car.

Pat

jrs 427

Your absolutely right. The car is junk. Buy it for pennies on the dollar and replace the non original motor with another non original motor. Your logic kills me. Were talking a car 57 years old. How many do you think still have the original block ? If this bothers you this much pay the hundred grand and buy a museum piece. OR if you really want bragging rights I will put you in a big brake fuel 60 for a lot of that cash you can't wait to spend. It has all the numbers you need plus a boat load of options.

Randy G.

We had an original '57 fuelie that we never drove. It was a great car, but because it was an original FI car fully restored we were afraid to drive it. Too stressful.

Two years ago I found a deal on a 1962 that was being restored back in 2000, but the guy who owned it died right in the middle of the restoration. The family threw a car cover over it and 15 years decided to part with it.

It had a "Target Master" pile of junk engine in it with a cracked head. And it was a powerglide car. I ordered a BluePrint 383 stroker motor from Summit with a roller hydraulic camshaft and late block with a one piece rear main seal, and a 700R4 4 speed overdrive automatic transmission and a 2,000 stall speed lock-up converter for it from Bowtie Overdrives hooked to 3.36 rear end gears. The 700R4 has a wicked low gear, too. I put a Hayden trans cooler on, a Spal electric fan with a new Dewitts restoration radiator and a Powermaster 90 amp alternator that looks like an old school generator. The entire powertrain deal with everything mentioned above was under $10G. That, combined with what I paid for the car made for a very reasonable price to pay for what I ended up with.

I've driven it in 105 degree temperatures in heavy traffic with no issues, and at 65 miles per hour the tach says 1,950 RPM meaning it does great on gas. I was invited to participate in the opening day parade at the L.A. County Fair in September and it was a hot day. While other original cars dropped out of the parade due to overheating my temp gauge held at 180*. Even though it's not perfect it has scored at local car shows. BTW, it was dyno'd at 435 hp with 465 ft lbs of torque and will smoke the little white wall radial tires at will.

Since it's not an original numbers matching car I can have fun with it without getting all shook up about putting miles on an original drive train. And it is original enough that 95% of the people looking at it don't know the difference. I joke with people when I tell them I would drive it from L.A. to Sacramento and back tomorrow with no worries, but I'm actually not joking. It is so reliable it's scary, and to be able to take it out without a moments notice and have worry free fun with it made everything done to it all worth while. I would do it again.

Original cars are nice. But the one I grab and drive is the car I just described shown below.

59BlueSilver

I have a friend who has a '63 SWC fuelie, completely original except for starter, paint looks fantastic! Because of its value, he's absolutely terrified to drive it. He did drive it to our recent Concours d'elegance but was terrified to have it on the road. What good is that!
As a result, he wants to sell it.

jrs 427

Having large amounts of cash in a car one is afraid to drive creates a state of paranoia . Whats it worth, am I losing money, major heart problem for a nick or scratch, what if a paint flaw becomes noticeable , pay huge insurance on a mona lisa that never leaves the garage. A huge headache. Some considering themselves NCRS followers often paint themselves into a corner . No longer a hobby, a fun car, or a delight to drive / own ..... its a financial night mare. The only relief is the future sale, cash in hand, and the car loaded on someone elses trailer. This happens time and time again. Its only a car GM intended for transportation.
In place of the radio tag ( the final touch for judges ) there should be a warning tag reading " serious health issues may result if considered an investment ... please drive responsibly "

68hemi

This is the very reason I bought my 57 that was restored 20+ years ago that is a driver quality car. I won't have a heart attach if it gets a scratch.

Randy G.

Excellent post. We waved good-by to our '57 Fuelie this year for every reason you stated above after storing it under a car cover 99.9% of the time for over 11 years. It was a beautifully restored Top flight car that just sat. The '62 is out at least 2-3 times a month.

449er

I hate to admit it, but you are right on with your statement, it becomes a burden rather than a enjoyment to own a perfect numbers matching, low miles, afraid to drive Corvette