Philosophical Question

[Marlin F.]

My apologies for the length of this post and the fact that it is not really 'technical' in nature, but my guess is that many of you have faced this juncture at some point in the relationship with your 'Vette.

I am the new owner of a 1966 L79 ragtop purchased at a Mecum auction in December. I probably paid a little too much for it and was maybe a little too impulsive, but hey, it was my first Corvette! The car is beautiful, has a numbers-matching drivetrain, side-pipes, and knock-offs. No documentation. Nice driver. A local NCRS judge and restorer gave the car a once-over and indicated to me that I've got a number of 'incorrect' items, including a service replacement carb, wrong alternator, distributor, and coil. I'm pretty sure the valve covers shouldn't have the 'flaw' that they have. The side-pipes are apparently NOS installed on an under-body exhaust car. The lovely leather seating surfaces are on a vinyl-coded interior. Who knows how many fasteners, hoses, and cables are incorrect.

My question is this: at what point are you throwing good money after bad? The car looks great, runs great, and, to the untrained eye, looks like the real deal. My guess is that I could spend several thousand dollars to make things more 'correct', but I'm not going to give up the leather seats or those side-pipes no matter what! I believe those 2 discrepancies alone would cost me a ton of points in a judging, but the 'cool factor' on the street offsets that. If I spent the dough to clean up the electrical/ignition system, fasteners, and hoses, am I really adding any monetary value to the car or just making myself feel better about its being more 'correct'? Please help me get through this conundrum!

[Don H.]

Re: Philosophical Question

I can chime in on this Marlin, for what it may be worth. Your description of your car matches mine almost precisely as to the discrepancies noted, except my vinyl interior matches my Trim tag. I found out my "shortcomings" at a Chapter Judging meet I entered shortly after I bought my car. My car scored hi 2nd flight with wrong exhaust, and newer paint. For two years now, since that time, I have been slowly and methodically finding and acquiring replacement original parts and pieces such as starter, regulator, alternator, fuel pump, water pump, distributor cap, coil, this clamp, that spring, screws, clips, and on and on. I have not spent $1000s, but I have spent $100s, buying original parts, and having them restored or rebuilt. I have no intention of changing my side exhaust, or repainting the car. And you should not do that either, nor change your leather interior, if you like it the way it is.

But, if you want your car to be "more correct", by all means start looking for and buying original parts just as much as your budget will allow, to improve your car, for you. Get it just as "correct" as you can and want to, and don't worry about if you will recoup your investment. Your investment is in fun, and pursuit of this very enjoyable hobby. Spend what you want, and make the car as "good" as you want, and do not change anything you don't want. Have the car judged, and see how it does, and do not worry at all about the discrepancies or deductions. No car is perfect, and few are even close.
Hope this helps a little. Enjoy your 66 Sting Ray !

[Matt L.]

Re: Philosophical Question

i agree with don. i too own my 1st corvette. a 64 fuelie conv. it will never be a top flight or show winner.it has broken down seats,original carpet and all original interior and less than perfect paint. i will make it correct as possible as time and money allows. but inbetween all this work i am gonna drive the wheels off of it. that's why i am putting an aftermarket radiator and coil in it. i want to protect it and have it be reliable as possible.
most of all,it's your car with your name on it. make it yours. make it enjoyable for you with whatever plan you go with. and make sure to drive it. nothing is more enjoyable than after a long day to go out at sunset and enjoy my convertable.

[Larry T.]

Re: Philosophical Question

I've done the same thing before. Ultimately I decided that I did not get into the car for an investment, but for the love of the car and as a hobby. I've spent a ton of money on travel, fishing and photography that I will never see back, and I am okay with that. They are diversions, just like my cars. With that said, I have taught myself to look at purchases of assets such as old cars with more of a business mindset (even though I do not kid myself that I am going to make money) because it adds to the enjoyment of the hobby knowing I made a better decision. If it really were a business I am not sure I could enjoy it as much.

[Jack H.]

Re: Philosophical Question

You've already received some great feedback. As others have said, the car is yours and it can be whatever you want it to be. Just depends on whether your after an NCRS flight car or something else. In terms of value, there will always be buyers looking for NCRS flight cars, but there will also always be buyers that are not. I would think for same type car, the NCRS flight car would be worth more, but at what price to get there? Only you can judge for yourself what it's worth to make things more correct. It's all what you think is important to you. My car will never be an NCRS top flight winner, and good or bad, I helped making it incorrect on some things. But I would have it no other way.

There are many out there, and obviously here at an NCRS forum, that would only want it as original as possible. I'm sure others will chime in along those lines.

If you want specifics about deductions and the like and what penalty things will cost, you can always go to the NCRS Store link above and get the judging guide/sheet for your car. You can also search the archives as many have already asked about penalties for specific infractions, especially the side exhaust (guilty as charged here BTW). If its not already been asked/discussed, just post and folks here with judging knowledge will chime in with their experience and advice. Lastly, and I've yet to do this myself after being a member for several years, take your car to a regional meet and have it judged. If nothing else, you will learn a lot about your car and meet some folks that are passionate about Corvettes.

Congrats on your purchase of the best car ever made in almost the best year (mine is a '67).

[Don H.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Marlin, Welcome to NCRS! As others have stated, it is your car do what you want with it. Whether or not to correct items is entirely up to you. A few suggestions I would have are to have your car judged at a Chapter Meet. It is a very cheap evaluation of your car. I see you are in Missouri, there is a Regional in April at Joplin. This would be a wonderful opportunity for you to see NCRS if you can attend. Good luck, Don H.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Marlin,

Lots of good advice and I bet I know how you felt when the guy got done going over the car.

There is one thing, if you swapped in a correct part for some of these items, you can sell off the other to cover some of your cost. Service replacement carbs don't fetch a lot, but anything helps and some of these things have to come off and wear out so that is one time to upgrade to the original.

Until then enjoy that 66!

[Dennis S.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Marlin
If you are going to drive the car then make your decisions based upon safety, reliability and performance. I decided to buy a brand new service replacement carb for $700 rather than a rebuilt correct carb for $1400 to $1500. Notice I did not say correctly rebuilt...who knows? Same thing with the radiator. Went with a Dewitts Direct Fit aluminum replacement rather than trying to repair my original brass/copper overheater. My enjoyment will come from driving the car, not from worrying whether or not some NCRS judge deducts points for this or that. It will be more correct and a far better car than when I bought it, but it will never be perfect. At least not on my watch.
Dennis

[Marlin F.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Thanks to all for the well-spoken responses. I know what I have to do...

[Terry B.]

Re: Philosophical Question

My question is this: at what point are you throwing good money after bad? The car looks great, runs great, and, to the untrained eye, looks like the real deal. My guess is that I could spend several thousand dollars to make things more 'correct', but I'm not going to give up the leather seats or those side-pipes no matter what! I believe those 2 discrepancies alone would cost me a ton of points in a judging, but the 'cool factor' on the street offsets that. If I spent the dough to clean up the electrical/ignition system, fasteners, and hoses, am I really adding any monetary value to the car or just making myself feel better about its being more 'correct'? Please help me get through this conundrum!

Hi Marlin,

Restoring old cars is like a treasure hunt. You do alot of searching at swap meets, on the internet and by talking to people on the telephone. When you find that "special" part, the price you pay sometimes make you think this part has to be a prized treasure for what I paid. I have found that alot of the fun and satisfaction in this hobby is the hunt. I enjoy making my car more "correct." Do what you enjoy with your car and what you can afford. Many of us might be upside down financially if we look at this hobby as a business. Keep it fun and enjoy the hobby.

[Tom H.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Marlin:

There is nothing more educational than buying your first Corvette. Buying a great looking driver with a few minor "wrong" details is even better. Use this car to learn what is right and what is wrong. Wait til you see how much fun it is looking at other 66's now. You are smarter now than you were when you bought it, right ? Use the new education wisely and enjoy your car. If total "correctness" is the goal, go for it, or use what you've learned to make a good educated purchase next time.

Either way..............Enjoy the ride !!

BTW, I bet your valve covers are supposed to have that flaw !!

[Chris E.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Marlin,

If you decide to go to the Joplin, MO regional, I'll be there. Come find me and I'd be happy to talk to you at length about the judging process, expenses, time and other considerations.

Chris Enstrom
red 67 convertible (350 horse small block)

My car will be going through Flight Judging for the fourth time. (2 Chapters done, 1 Regional done not including Joplin)

[Dick W.]

Re: Philosophical Question

Joplin would be an ideal meet for you. If you do not show your car, you can observer judge with some of the best judges in the country. Learn from judging, and then make a better educated decision as to what you want to do with your car. BUT always remember, it is your car, do do with what you want to do. Don't let peer pressure force you to do anything. Sounds like a neat car...