Big Brake Cars

[Don M.]

Guys, I'm interested in buying a Big Brake car, there are quite a few cars currently for sale, but most on the market today don't have any documentation.(Buyers order, early photos, etc). I've looked at 2 cars that are very convincing. They have documentation back to late 70s, early 80s. I think we all agree that no one was making fakes in 1980, BUT no documentation is no documentation. If you can't prove it's the real deal it seems to be thought that it is not real. What is the feeling in the hobby, are they just thought of as frauds, or are they accepted?? Are they accepted in terms of resale, esteem, credibility,collectability. I don't know whether to give in, or keep looking for documentation. And oh yeah, it's $100,000 more with the docs. Lets hear some opinions, I'll appreciate your thoughts. It's alot cheaper than making a big mistake! Thanks

[Loren L.]

Re: Big Brake Cars

I guess I'm not sure what constitutes "documentation" in your mind - what does it take?
The 4 1960 and the 1 1962 Le Mans Corvettes are documented through the Le Mans Technical Inspection records. Inspections at Sebring were considerably less in documentation; SCCA was also "miles away" from an "offer of proof" - what do you NEED?

[Philip C.]

Re: Big Brake Cars

Guys, I'm interested in buying a Big Brake car, there are quite a few cars currently for sale, but most on the market today don't have any documentation.(Buyers order, early photos, etc). I've looked at 2 cars that are very convincing. They have documentation back to late 70s, early 80s. I think we all agree that no one was making fakes in 1980, BUT no documentation is no documentation. If you can't prove it's the real deal it seems to be thought that it is not real. What is the feeling in the hobby, are they just thought of as frauds, or are they accepted?? Are they accepted in terms of resale, esteem, credibility,collectability. I don't know whether to give in, or keep looking for documentation. And oh yeah, it's $100,000 more with the docs. Lets hear some opinions, I'll appreciate your thoughts. It's alot cheaper than making a big mistake! Thanks

Don First thing comes to mind is "where do you want to start" I tell people KNOW what your looking AT if not find someone that does (easier said than done I know) Unrestored cars tell no lies if you know what your looking at, a restored car can lie all day long and some experts can be fooled. I wont go in to the BS docs out there. I was at an auction and this guy bought this nice unrestored 65 corvette with a 350 motor he bought it because he thought it was a big block car and no one there, he thought noticed, it had a 80 oil gauge,a high rev tack so it must be, But what he didnt notice was the battery was on the wrong side and voltage reg was on the wrong side, never had T.I and the vin was 7200. I would not agree that no one was making fakes in the 80s, just doing it for a different reasons. Guys were putting big blocks where small blocks came from all the time in all kinds of cars. My buddy in 1965 had a 63 409 with aluminum fenders, hood, bumpers and a QM block with a two piece two four intake in a real 63 409 car (no one then and no one now knows more about 409 cars then him). but it wasnt a real Z-11 he built it with some over counter parts it was as good as a factory Z-11 to him and he never passed it off as a real Z-11 He didnt care. if it was around today and someone found it, they would sh#t. Phil 8063

[Dick W.]

Re: Big Brake Cars

Don, if it is a '58 to '60 that you are looking at, I would give Tim Mickey, listed under the contacts at the top of the page, a call. He is the Technical Adviser for these cars and has also owned several big brake cars. Dennis Clark is another poster here that has owned several cars and may be of advice.

[Lou C.]

Re: Big Brake Cars

Don First thing comes to mind is "where do you want to start" I tell people KNOW what your looking AT if not find someone that does (easier said than done I know) Unrestored cars tell no lies if you know what your looking at, a restored car can lie all day long and some experts can be fooled. I wont go in to the BS docs out there. I was at an auction and this guy bought this nice unrestored 65 corvette with a 350 motor he bought it because he thought it was a big block car and no one there, he thought noticed, it had a 80 oil gauge,a high rev tack so it must be, But what he didnt notice was the battery was on the wrong side and voltage reg was on the wrong side, never had T.I and the vin was 7200. I would not agree that no one was making fakes in the 80s, just doing it for a different reasons. Guys were putting big blocks where small blocks came from all the time in all kinds of cars. My buddy in 1965 had a 63 409 with aluminum fenders, hood, bumpers and a QM block with a two piece two four intake in a real 63 409 car (no one then and no one now knows more about 409 cars then him). but it wasnt a real Z-11 he built it with some over counter parts it was as good as a factory Z-11 to him and he never passed it off as a real Z-11 He didnt care. if it was around today and someone found it, they would sh#t. Phil 8063

I have to agree with Phil. Unrestored cars tell no lies, if you know what you are looking at. Big brakes have been added to many cars through the years. A restored car with no "Real" documentation will always raise questions. Just my opinion.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Big Brake Cars

Guys, I'm interested in buying a Big Brake car, there are quite a few cars currently for sale, but most on the market today don't have any documentation.(Buyers order, early photos, etc). I've looked at 2 cars that are very convincing. They have documentation back to late 70s, early 80s. I think we all agree that no one was making fakes in 1980, BUT no documentation is no documentation. If you can't prove it's the real deal it seems to be thought that it is not real. What is the feeling in the hobby, are they just thought of as frauds, or are they accepted?? Are they accepted in terms of resale, esteem, credibility,collectability. I don't know whether to give in, or keep looking for documentation. And oh yeah, it's $100,000 more with the docs. Lets hear some opinions, I'll appreciate your thoughts. It's alot cheaper than making a big mistake! Thanks

Have someone look at the car who knows what to for...and knows what questions to ask. Are the finned drums in place and do they have the correct markings? What condition are they in? What about the wheel cylinders, brake shoes, backing plates, dust covers, scoops, front and rear HD springs? Offset front shock absorber plate, special rear upper shock mounts.. All were available over the counter...and were popular upgrades for racers.

Bottom line..if the owner is asking a premium price get a second and informed opinion.