It does make a difference to us all - Like you I had very similar arguments with myself.  I was fortunate enough (or brave enough, my wife would say foolish enough) to have two C3s.  One for the cruisin and one for playing around.  The one for playing around is my 1980.  When I bought it I was under the impression that it had very low mileage (47K) but when I got it, it was very obvious that it had 247K (or at least seemed like it did).  So the became the play with (customize) candidate.

I's say to keep it as close to original as you can. You can't un-ring a bell, so if you do any major changes, that's it.

There's nothing like a chrome bumper vert!

Just my two cents....

Kevin

I say keep it original.

Their right its your car but you ask for my opinion.

keep it original just as Chevrolet and God intended it to be.
If you need to do some "crazy" stuff to a Vette get one thats already way past stock.
Not only can you find one cheap then you can do what you want and re-do it if you want.
But these cars original are like a Mona Lisa.
But again, thats my opinion.

Joel and Mickey summed it up best IMHO. Change what you can change without destroying the integrity of the original design. Save what ever you take off so it can be put back on if need be. I really think "chromies" should be kept as original as possible..again IMHO.

I agree with most everybody else. The important part of owning a Vette is climbing inside and saying, this is mine and its just the way I want it. Like Brian mine had too many changes when I bought it. The previous owner did hand me boxes full of original stuff, but being smack dab in the middle of midlife crises I just wanted her to go fast and look cool. She may not be totally original but I love her just the way she is. 

 Rich, If all the numbers match and the basics are all accounted for, I say keep what ya got. I know you are a purist at heart. I guess it depends on YOUR concerns. If you are doin it for YOU, go for it. If you are plannin on makin a history for the car, then stay O.E.M.  I would like to do a HOT one myself, but just cannot make myself change somethin that is close to a factory finish. Mine will NEVER be NCRS. To many small things to chase. In the end, PLEASE yourself.   

Thanks all for the nudge..I get the do what you want..keep old parts..don't mess it up!..I am going for the stock..I really don't have much to do..I found tires albeit bias ply..I will get used to the thumpin! A rebuild kit for the front isn't much at all..and poping the radio back in will be easy..an rf interceptor is cheap and can't be seen..then I can use my phone for slacker and be done with it..so I decided to join the NCRS also and found some neat info..yeah Joel I hear you laughing from here...the guy I know that went to Kissimee Fl a few weeks ago is the tech expert for 70-72 cars! Well I need to talk with him some more..he lives maybe 5 miles from me so I kinda have a ton of help movin on this thing..I found him on the NCRS website! Small world..I knew he was into vettes but really didn't know how much! So hopefully in the next couple of months things warm up a little and the parts start flying!
Thanks all
Rich yostusota2011-02-23 05:09:48

  Rich, Now you can find a ROLLING CHASSI, with NO numbers and build your dream machine and all the soup you can muster. 

And so starts the NEXT project................................................