Need some honest opinions...several months ago I purchased a Black LS6 (white stripes) that everyone on here initially chewed up and spit out because they thought the car had a re-stamp.....after confirming that it was indeed the original drive train I purchased. It is an automatic on the column with a bench . Now I am the first to admit that this is not the ideal set-up but after driving a few times it's really not bad @ all...now the question, what do you think it would do to the value if I put in buckets and kept the automatic (floor shifter of course) or put in a 4 speed? I would keep all of the original parts in case I ever sell it, and I know it would certainly be a hell of a lot more fun with the 4 speed......but I also know how picky people can be if you make serious changes like this that change it from it's original birth (2 build sheets confirming it's original extras).....(I used to be ADAMANT about not changing anything, mellowing a bit with the years)...."Please God let me burn through 4 gears"....be nice and don't call me all the names you're thinking of right now....I can hear them, I really can....:D
Scott

If you want a 4speed, I'd sell it and buy what you want. Chopping up a rare muscle car isn't worth it.

It's your car and I'm not familiar with it. However if it was mine and original and/or nicely restored I would not make those changes. My opinion is that even if it doesn't devalue the car, it won't add to the value and you will therefore spend money that you won't recover.

I understand your desire to burn through the gears. If that was my mission, I'd do it with a different car.

Good luck and have fun!

Value to who? You or a potential buyer on down the road?

I'd have to agree, leave this one alone and/or sell it and buy a 4-speed car if you're considering selling it in a few years. While you may keep all the original parts there is still that hole cut in the floor that you'd have to deal with.

I would sell it and get one with the 4 speed. Lets face it, its kind of hosed with it on the column or cobbled up with a four speed.

My opinion, that things outa here, go find a four speed and pay the difference.:yes:

Some body would have to have a screw loose to buy one like that in the first place. (New that is)

Find somebody thats got some money, like some of these guys that like the original six cyclinder cars :rolleyes: :D

In my opinion I would not change it to a four speed because you have to cut the tunnel to put a four speed hump in. I would change it to buckets with a console floor shift because you would not do any permanent damage to the car. If you weld the correct floor brackets it they can always be ground out carefully. The worse would be the small hole for the shift cable and if done correctly the cutout could be saved and welded back in. If done correctly you would not be able to tell the piece was welded back in. Also now would be a good time to put a tilt in. All in all it is your car and you have to be happy with it.

Nelson

I would sell it and get one with the 4 speed. Lets face it, its kind of hosed with it on the column or cobbled up with a four speed.

My opinion, that things outa here, go find a four speed and pay the difference.:yes:

Some body would have to have a screw loose to buy one like that in the first place. (New that is)

Find somebody thats got some money, like some of these guys that like the original six cyclinder cars :rolleyes: :D


Ouch!! :D

I have to agree with the others. Swapping seats or other "bolt in" items is one thing. Cutting up a original collector is totally different..

Leave it as it is, it's certainly more unique that way and likely more valuable that way.

Scott, here's my thoughts. If you really like the car and it's everything you want in a Chevelle and you're planning on keeping it a for while, I'd do the swap. My thoughts are that a bench/column car is a tuff sell in the first place. Obviously keep all the original parts. If the tunnel is cut neatly for the 4 speed, I think the piece could always be tacked back in should a future owner wish to do so. One thing is for certain, when the day comes that you need to sell this car, the bucket/4 speed combo will make it much easier. Good luck whatever you decide.

I personally like the bench and column shifter better . It makes it different as everybody wants/has a 4 speed or buckets.

I wouldn't change a thing........I prefer bench seat cars anyway.......

I agree, I prefer bench seat cars too

I personally like the bench and column shifter better . It makes it different as everybody wants/has a 4 speed or buckets.

I like my Bench seat/auto too and will keep it that way and prefer keeping cars the way they were born. That being said, as long as you keep all the original parts for when/if you intend to sell it, then I think, no harm, no foul.

Let's see............

LS6
original born with drivetrain
2 buildsheets
black ext.

Answer.....don't change a thing.

Sure a 4 speed is more popular but there are many LS6 bench seat / column shift cars that sell just fine. Once you start altering things then some potential future buyers are going to wonder what else has been altered that's not as apprarent.

One of the top selling LS6 Chevelles at the just concluded Mecum auction was a bench seat / column shift car. Looks like you own several other musclecars, why not hop in one of those and run it through the gears to feed the need?

if you're going to keep it, or you would like it betting, make it yours and do what you want. life is too short to have something you're not happy with when you can fix it.

if you can't bring yourself to mess with it, then sell and buy one you want. is this car for you, or a potential buyer, thats the question.

I saw a '70 LS-6 convertable, auto on the column with bench seat, sell for $316,000 at B-J, years back.

Don't mess with it!

Thanks for all of the opinions gentlemen. (LADIES-?)....I am going to leave her the way she came out of the factory. Sometimes I just want to put her through her paces and having a 4 speed is always a bit more exhilerating...but I think the consensus here is right. Not only for resale purposes but also just because it's the right thing to do. This car is fairly unique and I want to keep that uniqueness intact.
Thanks again, Scott

To be honest a automatic 4.10 car is just as fast or faster than a 4spd.I think I would be just as happy with a auto.