Topic: what would you do???
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Hey all..I have done some seriuos thought to this but I think I need a little nudge! I have gone thru all the paper work for my car and finally got the original title to my car..it took me a few months to get this..so I have as far as I know everything but the window sticker..I keep finding stuff I would want to do to this car ..like a crazy clutch and flywheel..I found some perfect stainless side pipe kit the other day that would look and sounds awesome on this car!!!But I really think I need to stick to original..I don't have the original alternator and a few light bulbs but most all is original..so the question is do I go crazy on this car or spend the money on new tires that are correct white stripe..put the radio back in and do the suspension with original rubber..I can do all this this year..next year might be the paint..so I am at a cross roads now..I want both but know it can't be..
so..what would you do?yostusota 2011-02-20 07:58:47
so..what would you do?
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Ah, the perpetual question...
Short and sweet, the answer I think most people are going to give you is this - "Do what you want to do with the car."
There will be a large number also that tell you to keep it original. Given that yours is a bumper car, you may get more of those responses than I did when I asked that same question.
Bottom line though, it's your car. Do what you want to make sure that you care able to enjoy it for years to come.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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Former Member
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
It's your car and your money so you have to decide what you want from the car. Sure...we can have our opinions on what to do but you're the one who has to be happy with it.
To me...safety is paramount...take care of the brakes, tires and drivability aspects before anything else. If you want to put white stripe tires on the car then do so. There's not a huge selection of white stripe tires in the correct size available anymore, but you do have good choices.
Since you have much of the original documentation for the car, and apparently it's pretty much original or correct, then you should give some serious consideration to keeping it as correct as possible. If you have the original radio, I would save that and install a modern AM/FM/CD player (that's what I did in my '69)...you can always reinstall the original if necessary, but the ability to enjoy CD's and better quality sound was more important to me.
Sidepipes...they look and sound awesome, but...many who have them get tired of them very quickly due to the decibel level. Just something to consider...plus you also have to decide what to do with the open holes left in the rear valence where the tailpipes came through.
Things like a correct alternator you can come across at swap meets, Ebay, etc., if you're patient. To me, being correct down to the last nut and bolt is a bit insane. I'd rather drive the car and enjoy it than obsess about whether every detail would pass NCRS standards.
As I said...your money and your choices...make yourself happy. Don't worry so much about what everyone else might think. The hobby is broad enough to find your niche to enjoy.
Yeah I know do what I want...but its not so much the car as it is the color and convertable..I have searched pretty good for other daytona yellow convertables and can only find a hand full that may be considered some what original..my friend went to Kissimee Fl a few weeks ago for the corvette show..he only found one..it was a big block and not a convertable..that was an NCRS show?? I don't think I can do the perfect car thing because I do want to drive this thing!
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Do what pleases YOU.
My thoughts are to keep it as original as possible, if it's close to original to start with. A basket case can be done any way ya want, but a decent, running car is different, imho. I had big plans for the '74 when I first bought it, but ater going over it, and talking with some knowledgeable folks, I started learning that it was an all original car, except for the rims. That's what swayed me to restoring it instead of modifying it.
The pain fact is, anything that can be bolted on can be put back, as long as you keep all of the original stuff. Changing the paint color, or modifying the body/chassis/suspension is gonna be hard to put back, should someone decide to do it. Bolting on sidewinders, or swapping the clutch/flywheel won't really do any harm in the long run. Light bulbs are easy to swap, window tint comes off, and tires/rims are an easy swap...none of that affects the "integrity" of the car, should you want to go back.
It's your car, and you're the one that drives, and enjoys it. It should please YOU.
My thoughts are to keep it as original as possible, if it's close to original to start with. A basket case can be done any way ya want, but a decent, running car is different, imho. I had big plans for the '74 when I first bought it, but ater going over it, and talking with some knowledgeable folks, I started learning that it was an all original car, except for the rims. That's what swayed me to restoring it instead of modifying it.
The pain fact is, anything that can be bolted on can be put back, as long as you keep all of the original stuff. Changing the paint color, or modifying the body/chassis/suspension is gonna be hard to put back, should someone decide to do it. Bolting on sidewinders, or swapping the clutch/flywheel won't really do any harm in the long run. Light bulbs are easy to swap, window tint comes off, and tires/rims are an easy swap...none of that affects the "integrity" of the car, should you want to go back.
It's your car, and you're the one that drives, and enjoys it. It should please YOU.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I agree with the others I would do what you want with the car. However, with your car being so nice, I would keep things LOOKING as original as possible, but upgrade as you see fit. Keep all the original stuff, you can always put it back on, or give it to the next owner. If you want to DRIVE it and not just look at it, thats what I'd do!
Barry
Former Member
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New Albany, OH - USA
Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 Coupe /
Snowcrest White /
L48, 350 /
Comp Cam /
Edelbrock Heads /
Cyclone Intake /
Holley Carb /
Holley Fuel Pump /
Patriot Headers /
Dual Exhaust /
Magnaflow Mufflers /
1964 Coupe /
Riverside Red /
L76, 327, 365hp
I agree with most everyone else, it's your car so do what makes you happy. Having said that, however, I think there are a few things you could consider to help guide your decision.
I am the original owner of an '80 L48 coupe. No matter how "original" I keep it, this car will never be a "collectible" to any degree. Also, my plan is to keep it in the family even after I am long gone. So I decided to compromise between keeping it original and a full-blown customization. (If your car is a collectible and you plan on selling it someday, then I think that would play a large part in your decision to maybe keeping it as original as you can.)
I have made numerous modifications to the engine in order to upgrade it to where I think GM should have back in 1980. When you open the hood, the engine looks a lot like the midyear Vettes ('62 - 67) and it now puts out around 350+ hp. It has a beefier cam, aluminum heads, dual plane intake, Holley carb, tight-tuck headers, dual exhaust, and Magnaflow mufflers.
I also had the car stripped and repainted. The paint job from St. Louis was pretty bad. The paint is now 1958/59 Snowcrest White. I like it a lot better than the original 1980 Classic White and the guy who painted it for me did a top notch job. I also put "Stingray" emblems above the fender vents like the '69 - '76 Vettes.
The interior is all original except for the speedometer. I had the original 85 mph speedo upgraded to a 140 mph. It looks like great.
The bottom line is that I didn't do anything radical to the car and I love it now more than ever.
Good luck on whatever you decide.
Chuck
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
Well, "Bumper Car Buddy"........ seeing how we both have a '69, that's something in common we have. My car is not a convertible, but she's very sound and a good running car for being 40+. I have kept her pretty much original (she came that way). The only changes that I made can be taken care of easy, just changed the radio and the wheels (I still have the original wheels & radio/speakers). I DRIVE her because I enjoy the old technology. I don't want any holes drilled into her to customize her. To me, she's a part of American History and I want to keep her stock with only the changes mentioned above. I did what I wanted, so think it over and do what YOU want to your girl. Good luck and I hope to meet you one day in the near future!
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Rich, since I have seen your car I know what shape it is in. There are not many out there that nice. We all want to have a vette that has a good return on our dollar for when we decide its time to let them go, however we also realize that we will probably never let them go. And since you have a young son I am sure you want him to have it someday. That means in reality resale probably means nothing! You havent ever shown me that you want a vette so people notice you but you want to drive it and enjoy it. So I say, do what you want with it and like everyone else has said keep all the original parts so some day if you decide to make it original you can go back to that. Also you may want to have it judged this year before making any decision on which way you go and that might help make your decision. There is certainly nothing wrong with having YOUR VETTE either way. The wind will still blown across your hair driving down the road with the top down and you will have that huge smile as you go cruising in your vette!
Best of Luck Making this Decision,
Rodney
Best of Luck Making this Decision,
Rodney
Seems to me it's time for you to pick up another one that needs a little TLC. Everyone needs more than one just to maintain their mental health and help avoid these situations. It's just not healthy!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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