Is it wrong to turn an all original car in to a pro tourer?

[sixtyfourbeets]

Hello all, I have recently been looking at a few cars from the late 60s to the late 70s to serve as a base for a pro tourer project.

My criteria is that it should be a clean running car.
I dont care if the car is/was an all original late 70s Z/28 or Formula 400 I dont care if the car is a 1968 grandma owned Firebird kept in the garage.

The only things I really care about are that the car is a solid running car no rust and if it was repainted it was done 8 years ago or more.
Reason for the last one is because by around 8 years or so if the repaint was a poor one all the problems would have surfaced by that point.

But to the point, some of the cars I have been coming across seem to be decent all original cars, never molested with all original drive train.
I would actually prefer that a car had its engine or transmission replaced because that way I wont feel a little guilty for taking apart an all original car.

I guess what I am looking for is permission from the pro touring collective to obtain a clean example and get to work, even if it is an all original clean late 70s or early 80s Z28 or Formula 400.
Once I embark on this kind of project I'm not keeping the engine or transmission for the sake of originality because if I'm putting an LS/T56 drive train in there preserving the car doesnt matter to me.
Frankly an all original/numbers matching car doesnt mean anything to me because all I see is a base line for a project.
Dont get me wrong though I love the sound of an Olds 350 or a Pontiac 400 but in terms of efficiency and power production there is no comparison to an LS engine and to me an LS is a more pragmatic approach
to keeping an old car drivable in to the future.

So I have already convinced myself that its ok but I still have a sense of respect for the historical significance of an all original classic muscle car. Hence I need a little help resolving this inner conflict.

[wayward]

Everyone will have their own opinions. Some rare cars you could have a business reason to keep them in original condition but otherwise let it fly...

I personally want "my car".. Which is: how it is done when I've put my personality in the car...

In my opinion it is far better for the hobby to have cars modified and driving on the street than sitting in an enclosed trailer or garage and never seen...

Have fun with it, make it you own.. I take pride in my alterations and most people that actually have cars appreciate the changes.. They may not want it for themselves but none the less they appreciate the work...

Just my opinion...

[btbob]

Not mine, but:

Saw this at a shop when I was having my alignment checked.

Numbers matching 396. All original. 40,000 miles. It now has a full hotchkis TVS, Wilwoods on all 4 corners, LS3 backed by a 6 speed. God bless him. It's his car, it should be what he wants.

BTW that buick behind is a beast in its own right. I'll see if I can dig up some pictures of it.

[bmbrzmn101]

Whatever you purchase will be yours to do with as you see fit. As to if it's an original Z or Judge or whatever, again it's up to you how far you go. If you are torn about it just make changes that can be undone and keep the original parts for transplant back later. Many scenarios here, just depends on how far you want to go. Just a simple opinion. Personally I would go the pro tour route. 20 some odd years ago I restored/modded my Elky and it has been fun to drive but it had crappy brakes, ok handling, and not very reliable overbuilt 283 and glide. So I am just saying if want a safer and more reliable vehicle that won't wander all over the road or leave you wondering if the brakes will ever grab, or if it will ever completely roll over on that tight corner, go pro tour. Again just my humble opinion. It's still going to be your car to do with as you want, you won't need anyone's consent, just enjoy it whatever you do.

Chris

[chocthunder]

I understand what you are saying. I am not a original numbers matching guy either but I do respect a numbers matching car. IMO unless the car is already a museum quality car. Make it your own and enjoy your ride.

[rockytopper]

Is it wrong to turn an all original car in to a pro tourer?*
.

Not if you want it to "TURN" lol

[nine lives johnny]

when i worked at dse a copo came in..... and we cut it to pieces. it's much faster now

[Zachalanche]

I think you just went to "I'm_right.com" to ask your question. Of course the majority on this site will tell you to go nuts with whatever car you choose. I could also think of some forums that would boot you out for putting radial tires on your car. The way I see it, if you own it you can do whatever you want to it while everyone either watches in horror or cheers you on. Just make sure you have a good plan starting out, or you may end up with a useless pile of parts that used to be a numbers matching car, and even you may have regrets about that.

[alocker]

Just keep all the original stuff. It will make you feel less guilty but you know you will never put it back to stock. When it goes to the next owner, let them move and store the stuff. The reality is original parts are cool and can add value to your project as a whole especially when you sell. Obviously it will add way more if its a factory performance optioned car.

[silvermonte]

Like what has been said before build what you want. Me, I would never chop up a super rare #'s matching car, but then again a car like that wouldnt show up at my door step at a price that I could afford to pay either.

[Nicks67GTO]

IMO If its something like a 429 Boss mustang, RAIV Judge, Hemi Cuda, Z16 Chevelle etc ...you're an idiot for cutting it up. Just my opinion.

Now this is my numbers matching Fremont built Black plate 360hp HO 1967 GTO. From what I have found its 1 of 598 Cali HO Auto cars. Tack on the AC PS PA and PB and it gets more rare.... Restored to factory spec its probably worth a bunch but its mine, i'm never going to sell it and I don't care about original. I have caught some hell for doing the PT with it though. I made a decision that im not hacking it up for a T56 or anything crazy like that. Its too nice for that and its almost all original sheet metal except for a rear 1/4 that got hit. Iv'e got all the original stuff in the shed. I stuck a 455, 5 speed, 9", 4 wheel discs in it. Right now i'm working on installing a SC&C chassis setup and ill be swapping to a boxed and powdercoated frame this fall. In the spring ill be going 18's with a 13" front brake upgrade. I say the hell with it, do as you like.....most people have no idea what a factory original resto using NOS parts, instead of crap repops, costs. Its ridiculous and not worth it IMO.

[Schwartz Performance]

Just find out the production figures on the car you're thinking about tearing up! If its under 5000 don't do it, lol.

-Dale

[sixtyfourbeets]

when i worked at dse a copo came in..... and we cut it to pieces. it's much faster now

I see, so in other words you fixed it. :-)

[sixtyfourbeets]

Just find out the production figures on the car you're thinking about tearing up! If its under 5000 don't do it, lol.

-Dale

This sounds like a reasonable rule of thumb.

[sixtyfourbeets]

instead of crap repops, costs. Its ridiculous and not worth it IMO.

Especially when so often nowadays reproduction parts are made overseas.
Another good argument to maintain originality.

[Mr_Roboto]

If you find a 250/glide Camaro few will cry over you sticking an LS in it, or a late 70s Z28 that has a 305 in it. Something exotic I wouldn't even buy it due to the guilt trip of cutting on it. Then again I've known people who have sold cars for that reason and gone and bought a "base" car instead of say an original LS6 SS Chevelle to make it the way they want it. Then again why pay a markup for a VIN or RPO sheet when you can do the exact same thing with a base model car and little to no extra work and parts you were going to change anyways?

[MrQuick]

Its your car, do what makes you happy.




where are you..... this ones clean but turn-able

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3980976929.html

[JEFFTATE]

Keep the original parts and put it back original if you go to sell it ..

[Red67Mustang]

It's about a) what you want, and b) where the value is. I other words, if you buy an all stock numbers matching car for the price your going to want to spend for a PT build starting point, then it will need a full resto anyway to fetch tip dollar at auction (unless its a rare survivor with historical importance).

So, weigh the cost to restore original against that resale value, then weigh the cost of your PT build against that resale value. Use that info to figure out where you'll loose less money... And then ignore all that and do what you want. None of us privateers (this excludes DSE, Chassisworks, etc...) build Pro Touring cars for any reason other than because we want to.

Make yourself happy.

[Zspoiler]

As long as it is all bolt on parts ,you can always change it back.Just do what makes you happy. I never had that problem. Just ask them where their car is.