What designates a survivor car?I recently purchased a 1970 chevelle conv from the origional owner.The car shows 40,000+ on the odometer but from talking with him I belive it to be 140,000.The car has never been painted,no accidents and has been garaged since the mid 80s. the floors and trunk pan are perfect!The qtrs have a little rust starting over the wheels.There is some rust in the bottom of the fenders.I received the orig title (NO LEANS EVER!!)the protecto plate,the key knockouts,order sheet where the owner decided his options.all registration cards since new!!the car is 75 red with black top p/s am/fm bucket seats console 350 engine.car runs great should I drive it as it is or restore it? what is it worth as is?if I need pictures I can post them. orig owner told me the motor has had no work other than a tune up.valve covers have never been off ! The only thing missing was the orig hubcaps and 2 of the orig wheels.The car has 2 chrome reverse wheels on the rear that were installed by the owner in the 70s.H could not run the front ones because the hit the calipers on the disc brakes.

From you're description it sure sounds like it is a survivor, post some pictures.

To be classified as a Survivor car is tougher than many think it is.

An approximate description is:


More than 50% of the original finishes and components on the Exterior paint, Interior, Chassis and engine compartment.

The 50% original finishes need to be in non deteriorated condition.

This also includes original components being present like hose clamps, etc. and finishes also include original metal plating.

The finishes must not only be original, but of presentable quality.


Bloominton Gold puts on the survivor qualifications.


http://www.survivorcarshow.com/?link=standards

Whether it meets the definition or not, that sounds like one helluva find! Congrats! :thumbsup:

Kerry, drive it as it is. They are only original one time. If you ever get the urge to do something else to it, maybe you could sell it to someone that likes original cars, such as me.

I guess I fall in to the many categories again. This car by its description is what I have come to believe is a true/real survivor. All orig. paint, interior, and drive train, only general maintenance items have been changed, cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs, air/oil filter, brake shoes/pads, tires. A little rust and oxidized plating and heaven forbid tossing those tower clamps away after fighting with them while trying to make book rate in a garage where time is money. I guess many of us just don't meet bloomington gold standards.:pout:

A lot of folks would LOVE to find a car like that !

To be classified as a Survivor car is tougher than many think it is.

An approximate description is:


More than 50% of the original finishes and components on the Exterior paint, Interior, Chassis and engine compartment.

The 50% original finishes need to be in non deteriorated condition.

This also includes original components being present like hose clamps, etc. and finishes also include original metal plating.

The finishes must not only be original, but of presentable quality.


Bloominton Gold puts on the survivor qualifications.


http://www.survivorcarshow.com/?link=standards

I don't believe the condition has anything to do with a car being a "survivor" myself.

IF it is in running condition and doesn't have more than 30% repaint and hasn't been apart or had parts replaced other than normal wear and tear items such as tires, belts, battery, spark plugs etc, it IS a survivor to me.

Naturally when being judged compared to other survivors the condition will reflect the outcome.

Didn't someone say that the Chevelle community is not allowed to use the word "survivor" because someone else OWNS the word? :D :D

Just remember, ANYONE can put ANYTHING up on the internet that may or may not be correct even if the web page does look very authentic.

kerry, Drive It As It Is. They Are Only Original One Time. If You Ever Get The Urge To Do Something Else To It, Maybe You Could Sell It To Someone That Likes Original Cars, Such As Me.

X2!!!

Just remember, ANYONE can put ANYTHING up on the internet that may or may not be correct even if the web page does look very authentic.


Are you referring to the Bloomington Gold Survivor Criteria sheet I posted? Here is the home page it was linked from.

It wasn't a random page pulled from the internet, it was the Bloomington Gold Survivor criteria.

Some of you guys almost make it sound like I was knocking the car or something. The man asked what the qualifications were for "Survivor" status, and I posted the Survivor Specifications as specified by Bloomington to answer his question.



www.bloomingtongold.com

Are you referring to the Bloomington Gold Survivor Criteria sheet I posted? here is the home page it was linked from.

it wasn't a random page pulled from ther internet, it was the Bloomington Gold Survivor criteria.

Some of you guys almost make it sound like I was knocking the car or something. The man asked if his car qualified as "Survivor" status, and I posted the Survivor Specifications as specified by Bloomington.



www.bloomingtongold.com

No, not necessarily and I didn't consider anyone was knocking the car at all.

My point is that (I think) we in the Chevelle community have the right to set our own criteria for our cars.
We should be the only people that get a vote on our Chevelle guidelines.

I mean, we don't have to rely on what some car collector sets forth, especially guidelines for other makes.
Thats all.

I have seen cars that claim to be survivors yet the engines and other parts had been recently removed "for cleaning" :D
Those cars to me are not true survivors.

Of course, that's just one person's opinion. :yes:

.

I agree the term "Survivor" is overused, and if you chose, could describe any car that has survived the scrap yard in 38 years as a "Survivor" (in a very loose context), however the true term of "Survivor" as described when classifying a car for making the descision of whether you should restore it or not because of it's original and or Historical significance, has very good guidlines as decribed on the Bloomington Gold site.

Maybe it's me that's confused, but I thought Bloomington Gold, And Chevy Vette fest Survivor and Gold Spinner awards entailed Chevrolets in general and not just Corvettes.

Either way, some good information can be found to help make this descision on whether you should restore your car or not and is also published by

Bloomington. http://www.bloomingtongold.com/documents/NEwVersionRestoreItOrNot02.07.08_001.pdf

Ultimately, the choice is yours.

The ironic part of the question is that you asked if it would be worth more as is unrestored, or more restored????

The ironic and contradictory truth of the matter is, the most potential for value would be if Cloned as a SS 454 Vert. and Clean original 70 Malibu Convertibles are very desirable because of it.

Value and originality do not always walk hand in hand.

John its cool. :beers: Their certification, is what it is, what they determine to be a survivor. Having said that, they perform an excellent service to the hobby and have probably saved a lot of people from getting duped on a high end vehicle which they always wanted but were unfamiliar with. For the rest of us on the outside looking in we just don't get the hype that surrounds it. That is just one of the many reasons why the Chevelle rules, the owners are typically more knowledgeable, more informed, and better at keeping it real.:hurray:

The "Hype" Typically revolves around true "investment" cars. The majority of us in the hobby don't own true, "Blue Chip" "investment" cars. (Including myself).

Unless "blue Chip" Clones count. :)

I'll agree with you on one point though John........ I'd like to see some pictures :D

The ironic part of the question is that you asked if it would be worth more as is unrestored, or more restored????
read it again I did not ask this question,I asked what it was worth as it is!

I guess when you stated "As is", that I assumed it meant as compared to "something else" :D