Jamie Slick

Hi everyone!

I don't post much on C3, but I need your help/opinions. My husband (forum name TNBusa) has his 70 vette at the paint shop right now. It is (was) an all numbers matching LS5 454 coupe.

He took out the original engine and is building a 540 something, something, something, (whatever) for it. He is replacing the 4 speed tranny with a keisler 5 speed. He put a custom made L88 4" hood on it. Long story short.....it's not exactly going to be stock any more, but he could always put it back original......which would maintain the value of the car.

The original color on the car is classic white. I personally like white, but he has in his head that he wants steel city grey or some other charcoal type color. I think he should, in the interest of maintaining the value of the car, since he can put it back to original stock condition, keep the color white.

What do you guys/gals think?

Here are some pics to help you with your decision:

Getting loaded to go to the paint shop:


front suspension (yes, he is ****):


rear suspension (he's still ****):


the 540 whatever, whatever engine:


So.....help me out here. It should stay white shouldn't it? I want to be able to tell him that the C3 forum folks agree with me!

694speed350

resale red or black. it can always be taken back to white.

Jughead

Between a choice of white and gray or charcoal, I pick white. That's a tall hood he's got for that 540 something.

comp

i like white

0Corvette Engineering

I think resale value is a moot point now!

renowa

What I see in the pictures, is not just evidence of **** tendencies, but the hard work and eye for detail of someone building something for himself. Value is considered only if the car is for an investment, to when finished, be sold for profit. One thing I do know, is building the perfect vette is never profitable. Also, paint is a temporary phase, I've painted mine twice since I've owned it, and will probably paint it again someday. I don't think anyone is going to consider the original color except your grandchildren when they inherit.

Enjoy the Vette.
Bill

Eddie 70

What about Black!!!

SteveG75

The suspension has also been heavily modified. Vette Brakes front and rear.

Is he ever going to really be serious about selling it? My gut feeling is no.

Personally, I think a nice steel cities gray would be good.

Eddie 70

Jamie Slick

okay, okay........you guys win!

Actually, I'm just giving him a hard time! He has worked really hard on the car, and deserves for it to be exactly the way he wants it to be. (Don't tell him I said that! ) To be honest, I hope he never sells the car. He has put so much work into it, I think he would regret it.

His track record, though.......when he finishes a project, he gets bored, sells, and starts another one.

big_G

A matching numbers big-block will always bring good money if the original parts are retained. I bet he will enjoy the color he chooses for many years. If done properly I don't believe the value will be diminished much, if any.

Jamie Slick

thanks Eddie! I'm going to tell Gerry on you!!

TOM B1

He done a lot of work to that car, I see lots of parts that are not original but are better than the factory had in the 70's. did you ever watch the Berrit- Jackson auctions, A lot of modified (Not original at all) cars go for more that if the car was stock! and im talking BIG bucks. Why how could that be you ask, Well people with money look for a car that is old or classic but dont want the hassle of constant repairs, poor drivability and so on, so they look for a classic with mods and updated suspensions and drive lines and they pay big cash for it. Seeing the pic tells me your husband has a boatload of skills so
To answer your question: let him paint it the color he wants even if you dont like it to much or the car might never get finished because of a color spat, then you both will get old and the car will still be in the garage. does he argue about what color to paint the house! sorry had to add that.

Jamie Slick

ouch!!

Actually, he has been supportive when I've had all of my toys (motorcycles, miatas, four wheeler) painted my color of choice......YELLOW!

hmmmm.......how about a millenium yellow C3?

Jughead

would you be willing to speak to my wife?

Bullshark

I wrestled with this issue back when I first started project RamJet. After much second guessing and musing I came to the conclusion it doesn't make much difference from a monetary viewpoint, so build it like you want it and enjoy. Let's face it, a recently restored cherry stock 1970 LS5 coupe's top value is what?? $30k to $40k tops and you better not drive it if you want it to stay at that value. Maybe someday it will be worth the $150k you see some rare models getting at Barrett Jackson, but I doubt it...... not in my life time at least

So, instead, I took the money it would have taken to do a NCRS type total restoration and spent it on things like:

RamJet 502 crate motor with fuel Injection
New aluminium radiator with dual Spal fans
Tremec TKO 500
Steeriods
composite rear spring
New paint the color I wanted
17" Torque Thrust II wheels
Late model Stereo (future addition)
yet to be determined chassis mods????

I now plan to enjoy and use it as my corvette trip car driving to any of the Corvette functions I would otherwise drive a new C5 or C6 too.
Yes, I saved all the original parts, but for what I am not sure. Would I sell the car for $30k to $50k?????........hell no Just my opinion

Don't hesitate to chime in here with all your opinions, I'm sure TNBusa will need our support

Bullshark

Bullshark

Hey Eddie, that last one looks familiar


Bullshark

Daytona69

If he wants to go with a gray how about Laguna Gray? It was a 1970 only color and looks amazing...here's a pic of the one I sold

pcfred

From the looks of the pics of the work he's done already, the car will carry plenty of value for a long time. Forget the numbers matching crap at this point, let him paint it the color he want's, if you persuade him to go with white he's ALWAYS gonna think of the color he really wanted. Besides, the grey color will look very good, in my opinion better than the white. He's done a top class job on the car, let him complete it. If he gets bored don't let him sell it, but encourage him to buy another project, he'll thank you later.

texaswilkins

Paint it whatever color the person paying for the paint wants. I like the idea of Yellow to match everything else. If you can't have Yellow then gray would be a very good second choice.

Bill