[AlsChevelle]

OK guys I finally pulled my 72 out from back of the garage. I let my boys take it to school to work on it. Last time registered to drive was 1987. With my help and not the teachers help we got it running. Now my original plan with it was to make it a pro street car, but now unsure. Here is why all original numbers matching except headers, steering wheel and tires. engine looks untouched still the original 2 barrel carb and air cleaner. found the documents in the back sheet and originally delivered to my town the dealer no longer but still kinda kool. So I ask for opinions on which way to go.:hurray: Also I found another build sheet with the one that goes with my car.

 

[Schurkey]

You've already got most of what you need for a restoration.

By comparison, any old rat of a vehicle could be built into a hot-rod.

Don't get me wrong--I have a deep appreciation for those who preserve the history of motor vehicles by restoring them. The restored vehicle is a window into the past--a "time machine" of sorts; and so much the better if it's NOT the ultra-rare LS-6; 'cause most folks didn't own one of them when they were new. The more ordinary vehicles (properly restored; or reasonably original) are the better reflectors of history.

They're also not what I want to own.

I bought a clapped-out rat that I knew I wouldn't be afraid to put my mark on. And I did that SO WELL that the damned thing has pretty much sat for years 'cause it's too clapped-out to take any pride in. Once all the "easy stuff"--engine, transmission, suspension, etc. was done, I still had a body with rust holes and terrible prior "repairs".

I say: Restore the car you have--sounds like a keeper. OR sell it to someone who WILL restore it; buy a rattier one to rod (But not so ratty that you can't find the joy in it.)

 

[BIG EVIL CHEVELLE]

If uncertain, I'd say restomod. Restore it but don't worry about criticism if you wanna update or customize something. I love prostreet cars, when they are well crafted,and not just all gutted out.

 

[AlsChevelle]

If uncertain, I'd say restomod. Restore it but don't worry about criticism if you wanna update or customize something. I love prostreet cars, when they are well crafted,and not just all gutted out.

The restomod is what i have done with my 70ss that is why i am still hung up on which way to go.

 

[Chevl_Steve]

At least with a resto-mod you can put it back to original later if you need/want to!

Check the value of a pro-street car. If you tub it you destroy the originality and the value; it can't easily go back to original.

A resto-mod will allow you to still hot rod it, and do most of what you want, as well as keep the interest and expand the education of the kids.

Steve

 

[Andy69]

eh, upgrade all thebits, like suspension, brakes etc, and drive the crap out of it

 

[Derek69SS]

easy solution... don't cut anything, and don't do anything that can't be undone. Modify the heck out of it with bolt-ons, and keep all the original parts in case you decide to go back stock. :thumbsup:

 

[Bob Tiley]

If it is a 2 barrel carb car I vote to Hot Rod it - even restored it isn't worth the big dollars. If it is an original SS454 restore it.

 

[Bomber '67]

Dude, why don't you just ask Barack what you should do? Silly, yes - but my point is who are you doing this for? Whatever happened to doing what pleases you? Why does it matter what I think you should do with YOUR car? Okay, here is how I feel: an econo motored muscle era car is boring. People who want to talk about value need to think about who buys the Walter Mitty cars? Tell me about the buyer who is salivating over the awesome two barrel power - whoo hoo!

Seriously, I want you to do whatever would make YOU happy.

Thomas

 

[Greg]

If it is a 2 barrel carb car I vote to Hot Rod it - even restored it isn't worth the big dollars.
If it is an original SS454 restore it.

Ditto.

 

[454bb72]

my car is a boring 2 barrell 307. its cheaper to hot rod it than to mkae it worth any money to someone else. figuring i bought the car running for 800 dollars and a running 454 for 600 dollars. just finished rebuilding the motor and am now doing body work on the front end of my car, the rear is completed and then just gotta slap in the motor and a posi trac and a half decent interior. elcheapo and something that has "traditional" racecar all over it.

 

[3 x a charm]

my vote is for hot rodding it.

 

[Scotch]

I vote to make it your own with bolt-ons. If you're going to invest money into it, upgrading to modern goodies (like a powerful engine, overdrive trans, really good brakes, and improved suspension) will make it better than it ever was.

If you make it just like it was when it was new, you still have a mild 2-barrel car with mushy suspension and less-than-stellar braking capabilities.

If your high school-age kids will be driving it, you want it to have good brakes, and with an overdrive trans it'll get decent freeway mileage too.

You know they'll want a good stereo in it too...

If it were an SS, this would be a tough decision. It's not, so modify away!

 

[Chris R]

Stock is boring IMO. Modify away.

 

[mr 4 speed]

mmmm..resto mod..old LT-1 finned valve covers,factory 14x3" open element air cleaner,RPM intake,ceramic coated headers...3.73 posi,overdrive trans...leave the rest all stock looking..have fun...maybe a heavy chevy clone..possibilities are endless..have fun :thumbsup:

 

[2k3Chevelle468]

At least with a resto-mod you can put it back to original later if you need/want to!

Check the value of a pro-street car. If you tub it you destroy the originality and the value; it can't easily go back to original.

A resto-mod will allow you to still hot rod it, and do most of what you want, as well as keep the interest and expand the education of the kids.

Steve

There you go! Everybody knows what GM made, now why not put your own personal touch on YOUR car. Original is just a good place to start IMHO.

 

[AlsChevelle]

Thanks everybody I thought that because of the build sheet stock would be the way to go. because my non number matching 70SS is done as a resto-mod with a 496. Now I feel better to do it any way I want still look stock on the out side but not under the covers.:thumbsup:

 

[rayzer666]

Do what makes you happy in life. Have fun with it, great bonding tool for you and your boys. If you are going to start hacking the car, tubbing it out, whatever, you should really go with a car that is not so close to original. I also am into the Harleys, too many guys I know "chopped" their bikes,back in the day, and are now kicking themselves these days for doing so.

 

[henpecked]

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. Maybe he can avoid my mistakes..

My '69 is a bona-fide granny car, 307/pg/ps/ac/pb. I have all the paperwork, including every time she had the oil changed and bought tires...when I got it, the original 307 was shot (from sitting up). I decided on a resto-mod, with a 468 between the fenders, 12 bolt (or a 9") out back, etc., etc. Like the original poster, I was (and still am) kinda on the fence about what to do with the car.
I've got 80% of the engine in boxes, ready for assembly. But to finish my car right (i.e. suspension mods, complete rear end assembly, changing from column shift to floor and cutting holes, figuring out how to be able to adjust valves on a BBC car with a/c, buying all the brackets, fuel line conversion, radiator, the list goes on) is gonna cost a TON. I could stick a nice little SBC right back in and drive it for nearly nothing compared to the cost of the BBC conversion, and just enjoy cruising with the a/c on (which, still worked when i pulled the 307). And now, that's about what I've decided to do.
To summarize...I was in your situation (or close), and chose to restomod, only to get halfway in and see that I could have fixed my chevelle back nearly stock AND afford a cheap beater hot rod, for the same (or probably less) money than the restomod route. It's a lot cheaper and easier to build a dedicated beater race car than to try and make a stock chevelle into a half-way race car.
But it's your car, and your decision...

 

[Bomber '67]

? Okay, I guess you are trying to warn guys that building a granny car into a hot rod can add up moneywise. Yes, you can buy a beater hot rod for less than the cost of building one new from the ground up - this is generally why most people go to the sales dept to get a new car rather than the parts department. But that is when the hobby aspect of playing with old cars kicks in - its fun to remake a car into whatever vision you have.

Thomas