kaz1961

Lets say your looking for a C3 (pick a year) and come across two similar cars. One has been partially restored with newer paint newer interior S/S brakes and lines rebuilt engine used as driver over 100,000 on car about 30000 on restoration. The other is all original 45000 miles, always garaged, treated like a baby, never seen rain or snow, paint and interior original and look great. You could get either car for the same price, which would you buy? I am thinking the original has more value but it may become a money pit because nothing has been replaced. Your thoughts? :steering:

1house3kids0vette

Depends on what you want to get it for. If you are looking to drive the car regularly and want a relatively more reliable one then you should look more carefully at the rebuilt, partially restored one. If you want a car to take to some shows, keep for a while and be sure of getting a good return on your investment the original would seem the way to go. There is the issue of what you will have to replace on the all original car though. Sounds like an interesting dilemma.

TexasMadMan

I'd go for the original based on your observations. I think the year in question could come into play as well.

Would you prefer to have an original 68, or one that's been altered? I can't imagine many choosing the altered.

Why not tell use what years you are looking at.

kaz1961

I am looking a for cruise night, weekend driver toy. I am open to any year C3 but in my price range (under 11000) I guess I am realistically looking at 74-81.


[Modified by kaz1961, 6:25 PM 8/31/2003]

Tom73

All would depend upon the purpose of the car. The low milage original car would be great but it would hurt to put miles on it. Last thing you would want to do with that one is to add 50 to 75K miles. The other car would make the best driver. So do you want a show car or a driver. Decide that and then the decesion is made for you.

tom...

FASGLAS

I would choose the original, simply because of the "Bubba Factor."

OHSIXX

I would go with the rebuilt. Just think of all the money someone else has already spent on it.

Get a car that someone has dumped a ton of money into.

gdh

if it helps you I just saw a beautiful 74 NOM restored (painted silver) 4 sp coupe today and he was asking @ 12k cdn. That car is very nice, didn't have my camera to take pics and it is too far away for me to drive back to but it is owned by a great no-nonsense vette guy. If you are serious consider making the drive up to Hamilton Ontario soon, he hasn't advertised this car yet as he is just finishing up the resto.

jlsru

Well I went the low mile unrestored route with my 75 vert.I will never do that again.It had 30,000 miles when I bought it 5 yrs ago and looked really nice(still does).I have had to replace lots of things on the car ruined due to sitting and now I hate to put miles on it(40,000 miles currently).I would buy the restored car to have fun with,that is what I will do next.Good luck whatever you decide.

My69

Original for me. Dosent make it right. Just what I would do. :auto:

OHSIXX

BTW, I once bought a C3 with only 13K miles. I was absolutely scared to drive it. Did not feel it was right to add more miles, so I sold it and the next owner ran it in the ground. :rolleyes:

Dk Met Grn 80 L82

Decide if you want a garage trophy or a car to drive. IMHO, these cars are meant to drive and enjoy!!! Drive!!!! Drive!!!! Drive!!!! Everyone loves them, especially me, Wave! Wave! :party:

Corvette ED

I would go with the original. A car is only original once in its life. It will be easier to sell a low mileage original car if and when you decide to move on.


[Modified by Corvette ED, 1:29 PM 9/1/2003]

Matt69-ZO6

Based on what info you gave us, I'd buy the original.

PARTIALLY restored just may mean replacing what poor care and hard driving broke.

Given your price range, I'd get the original, you should be able to tell what your in store for.

Of course, a restored L-88 would be nice also.... :cheers:

WA 2 FST

If you buy the original one just make darn sure it has incredible documentation PROVING it is original, and all the #s match.

That was my biggest thing with buying a #s matching car. My '69 is my first C3 and there is so much #$%^ to sort through if you're serious about an authentic #s matching car, b/c there are a lot of scam-artists out there (or guys who genuinely thought THEY bought a #s matching car, only to find out when they go to sell it that it is not).

Like you, I had a budget. I wanted a BB roadster, and I wanted to spend my wrenching time on it making it faster, etc...not fixing a bunch of worn-out crap parts and misc. problems. I also wanted a car I could DRIVE and never worry about hurting its value (I know a lot of the original, #s-matching guys drive their cars a lot, too). So I found a fully restored, NOM car and added my own touches to it. :) Now its faster than the original (no contest), handles better, looks as good, runs like a top, and is very reliable.

TexasMadMan

Cars are like women. I like mine to be pure and untouched with low miles and few flaws. :lol: