76Frankenstein

I have made up my mind many times, only to change it again, and I've come to the conclusion I am incapable of choice. My 76 sounds great, drives tight, and is a blast, but needs mucho work. My head tells me to spend the money to fix/restore everything, and end up with an essentially new car, needing little, which I could drive worry free for years. My heart has always wanted a chrome bumper vert. I sometimes find them at a reasonable cost, about what I would have into mine completely done, but then of course, they still need work. If I'm fortunate, I'll get one which will be reliable for a few years, but...I'd rather drive a 76 than look at a chrome bumper I can't afford to fix.
Sorry for the long, sad tale, but I really need some help with this. Please post your reasons for your choice, I'm hoping a good discussion here will ease my mind.

TonyQT

Go for the dream. There is nothing worst then saying down the road.."I wish I would have". Do it or you'll be saying that a few years from now. Prices of chrome verts are not going down. Just my 2cents.

OHSIXX

If you don't get what you want it will be your fault. It is obvious to me you want the chrome bumpered vert. :)




[Modified by OHSIXX, 10:03 AM 5/23/2004]

turtlevette

I didn't vote.

I don't understand this fascination with the chrome bumper cars. If you forget that they are worth more and just look at them, the lines of the rubber bumper cars look cleaner in my opinion. The Makko II design our cars were patterned after didn't have any chrome much less stand alone bumpers.

MN-Brent

Live as much as your pocket book can afford. That will guide you to make your decision.

I voted to go for the dream, but only if the rest of your life doesnt suffer for it.

Brent...

Paul L

Your words sound very familiar. I worked on and drove a 1979 for 17 years. At the time of sale (last spring) it was in completely restored condition. Beautiful car. But I always wanted a 1967....So I bought one. I too hesitated and it took a pretty hefty bite out of my savings account, but there has been no looking back. It was one of my life's goals and that has been achieved. I just came back from a two-hour morning drive. What a feeling.

I truly believe that age and finances figure into these decisions. I would not have made that decision at 35 but since I hit the half-century mark, things are different. I sacrificed a great deal of my time during 30 years in the corporate world that I left behind a couple of years ago. And now its pay-back time. The 1967 was a present to myself as part of an overall Freedom 55 package.

I do not know your circumstances so these comments may be irrelevant. But if you have the financial wherewithal, and the purchase will not impose hardship on your Family, I would go with your heart.

Here are my Corvettes. My Brother now owns the 1979. He had a dream also....

Pauld

I also say go for the dream, if you don't then you will always be thinking 'what if'. You only have one go at life, so make the most of it. :yesnod: :cheers:

any4xx

Ditto. Get what you want. You'll only be sorry later if you put the money into the car you don't really want, only to find the one you do later and possibly not be able to afford it.

StingrayDK

:iagree:

LemansBlue68

Go for the 'vert. It will always be worth more than the '76 and won't cost any more to do a thorough restoration on. Chrome bumpers are cool and are my preference but don't overlook the '73-'75 verts if you run across one at a good price.

Corey_68

No matter how much $$$ you put into your '76 it still will not be the car you TRUELY want. I'd bite the bullet or you're never going to be satisfied.

:cheers:

joe73vette

Go for it. You should be able to buy a good reliable driver for what you will spend restoring the 76 plus what you can sell it for. Let the previous owner take the hit for the rebuild costs. A finished car always costs more than a beater plus the cost to rebuild. Joe

fjetb

There is an old saying:
'In the end, the only things we really regret are the chances we never took.'
Good luck on the dream. :D

Paul Borowski

:iagree:

It was exactly one year ago today that I sold my neat Yellow 4spd '80 coupe to a fellow forum member. Did'nt really want to sell it at all, but a Silver '68 4spd 327/350hp coupe came along that was an exact identical twin to the one I had when I was 18 and sold, regretting it ever since(sale of first Silver '68 coupe). I moved forward, sold the Yellow '80 to buy this other '68 which was my dream and I don't regret it one bit.


[Modified by Paul Borowski, 3:44 PM 5/23/2004]

lbell101

About a month ago I got tired of fixing my 67 Ford truck (yes, it's frame off but you know). I called my Dad and told him I REALLY wanted a new F150 Super Crew (yes I know it's a Ford - I'm eclectic) but really didn't want to spend the $$. He said, "I just ordered a new one a couple days ago. You only go around once, get what you want."
You know, this is exactly the correct way to go through life. Why always have regrets because you didn't do what you really wanted too?
I'd go for the chrome. You can still get a descent one reasonable and do some restoration - even while you drive it. The thing here is that it will cost the same to restore a 76 as a 71 but the chrome bumper value will be more all along. I've actually made $$ selling both my chrome bumpers after resto or fixing them up. I think that would be difficult with a 76. Not that I don't like them, I administer both the 76 and 71 registries.

Sharky Guam

It's a "no brainer".....GO FOR IT!

:party:

76Frankenstein

Many thanks to all of you...I believe I may just "go for it". The worst that could happen is I'll get in a bind and have to sell, in which case I'm no worse off than I am now. So...here's a sample at what I've been looking for...


http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...2/71942112.htm

<edit> added link to pic


[Modified by 76Frankenstein, 9:16 PM 5/23/2004]

76Frankenstein

And if any of youse buy it before I get to look at it... :mad :boxing :mad

73ragtop

I looked for five years before I found the one I wanted, and I paid a premium price for it. Best Corvette decision I ever made. I've been on this forum for several years now, and I've read about literally millions of dollars in repairs/upgrades hundreds of people have made to Corvettes that will never be worth a fraction of what's in them. Buy the Vette of your dreams, but spend a little more now to avoid an absolute money pit in the future. You would REALLY regret that. :)

Paul L

Have the frame checked out. If that is OK go for it. Aside from a 1967 you have chosen my favourite C3! Love those 1969s!