You have to do what makes you happy. A factory correct resto would be an expensive proposition but is also very rewarding in making the car as new. Also the car will be easier to resell than a custom. A custom can also be very rewarding in that you are making the Vette as you see fit. The downside is that it might be harder to resell the car. It is up to you
Tell us more about the subject car. I think generally a factory-original Corvette will be worth more in the long run over a customized car. But, one day you may get tired of your rubber-bumper, crate motor, 6-speed 'vette and run across someone with money burning a hole in their pocket that wants your car.
__________________ Send Me your 1974 VIN number and info: PS, PB, PW, Tilt, AC, int/ext color, leather/vinyl, etc.
First we need to know what car you have. If it is a vet that is collectable or rare then it should be kept as original as possible because its value is in its originality. If it is not rare or exceptional from a history standpoint then you need to make a decision as to what you want this car to be.
As soon as you begin customizing your car you effect its value. If the customization appeals to someone the value increases if it doesn't it decreases. The very nature of customizing is to make the car look like you and you alone want it. When that is done it appeals to you and chances are that no one else will like it quite as much or pay quite as much.
If money is your main concern then customization is the wrong way to go. No one will ever pay for a custom car anyway near what it cost you to customize. If they had that money they would have the customization done themselves and have it look exactly like they want it.
If you want to drive a car that attracts attention and displays your personnal style then go for it.
"What are the benefits?" and "Is it worth it?" are two different questions.
One of the benefits of a factory correct restoration is that you get to collect points. Everybody knows you can never have enough points.
The question of is it worth it monitarily is relative to the starting point value, the ending point value and the amount of money it takes to get there.
Lets say you buy an old corvette for $6,000 and after investing $20,000 to get it to Top Flight it is worth $22,000. Now lets say that you invest $6,000 in "not factory correct modifications" in the same $6,000 vette and since you did a nice job the car is now worth $10,000. In case 1 the ending value of the car is higher but you lost $4,000 to get there. In case 2 the ending value is lower but you only lost $2,000 to get there. Moral of the story "if you bought the car as an investment and had to do anything to it other than park it in the garage and cover it up then you are screwed".
It is just a car and could care less what you do to it because it can't care. You may make someone else happy by doing a factory correct restoration but you can't make the car any happier. You have to do what will ultimately satisfy YOU. Some people get satisfaction by doing a factory correct restoration and collecting NCRS points. Some people get satisfaction by making their car go faster or handle better. Some get satisfaction by getting everything to shine or by adding bling. None are wrong because there is no right.
well it is a 76 coupe with an auto tranny and i haven't bought it yet but am looking into it. He actually doesn't want very much for it and it needs work. Personally i think i would want to customize the car to fit my taste especially since i would plan on keeping the car for many years to come. Speed and handling sound very appealing compared to a higher value. If i keep the car for lets say 30 years then there is no point in not having it how i want. Now i just need to figure out how i want to customize so it fits me.
If it were a 67, I would say to keep it original. But it is a 76 which is not as colletible; therefore, you just as well customize it, increase the horsepower, and enjoy it. It is quite likely that you are going to quickly get more money invested in the car than you will ever get out of it. JMHO
76 automatics are not at the top of the collectible chain. Do whatever you want to make it what you want. In all likelihood you will not have this car 5 years from now let alone 30 years so just enjoy it while you have it then pass it on to someone else to enjoy.
you say my 76 is not the most coveted ? come on now where could
you find a vega srearing wheel now days not only that its has rubber
bumpers and most it is a mid year [true one ] rember it a c3 and now
with the c6 out that makes it a midyear i know realy what is is and just haveing fun at my expence althow i do like it and keep it in top flite condison hope to see you all at park city for 2005 ncrs national
paul
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76 corvette.red paint
buck skin interior L48.AUTO
PS ,PB,PW,AIR. AM FM RADIO
ALARM AND NCRS TOP FLIGHT
recived NCRS PERORMANCE VERIFICATION AWARD
i was just wondering if it was worth doing a factory correct resto, or just making the vett custom to my own taste.?
it BENEFITS the people on E bay selling OEM/NOS parts.
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a.k.a. MOTORMAN, retired race engine builder,former NASCAR tech inspector,corvette owner since 1959,corvettes owned 59,62,63,64,65,66,97,99,02 and 05
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That's easy. Put yourself in a buyer's shoes. How much would you pay for an original car versus somebody's customized car?
Depends on what they have done to it. I would pay good money for a 502 with a 6 speed, aftermarket discs, aftermarket seats, a good stereo, a nice paintjob and no body mods over a 300 horse base motor convertible with no options.
Depends on what they have done to it. I would pay good money for a 502 with a 6 speed, aftermarket discs, aftermarket seats, a good stereo, a nice paintjob and no body mods over a 300 horse base motor convertible with no options.
It all depends on what you want.
It depends on what the buyer wants. Personally, I would not pay good money for a 502 six-speed with anything aftermarket, but that is my personal preference as a potential buyer.
76 automatics are not at the top of the collectible chain. Do whatever you want to make it what you want. In all likelihood you will not have this car 5 years from now let alone 30 years so just enjoy it while you have it then pass it on to someone else to enjoy.
With all due respect, 1963 - 1967's were not at the top of the collectible chain at one time either. Today, even a 6-light, flare fendered, diamond pleat custom will sell in excess of $20k for the sake of returning it to original condition. If history is any indication, all Corvettes will eventually become collectible and most enthusiasts pay a premium for original examples.
With all due respect, 1963 - 1967's were not at the top of the collectible chain at one time either. Today, even a 6-light, flare fendered, diamond pleat custom will sell in excess of $20k for the sake of returning it to original condition. If history is any indication, all Corvettes will eventually become collectible and most enthusiasts pay a premium for original examples.
76 automatics are not at the top of the collectible chain. Do whatever you want to make it what you want. In all likelihood you will not have this car 5 years from now let alone 30 years so just enjoy it while you have it then pass it on to someone else to enjoy.
With all due respect, 1963 - 1967's were not at the top of the collectible chain at one time either. Today, even a 6-light, flare fendered, diamond pleat custom will sell in excess of $20k for the sake of returning it to original condition. If history is any indication, all Corvettes will eventually become collectible and most enthusiasts pay a premium for original examples.
And I never intend to sell either of mine! It's natural - over time original or close to original Corvettes tend to become rarer and rarer. Eventually you get to the point where there are more buyers than sellers and than the prices start to climb...
ah, but the DISADVANTAGE is the that after you've spent all that time and money restoring it, you're afraid to drive it anywhere. That's why there's 148K on my '73, but 142,500 of them were there before a frame-off 10 years ago.
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what are the benefits of doing a factory correct resto?
