Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
06-30-2015, 02:03 PM
#52
Re: Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
Here's an example of a common 80's mod that cost a lot of money that now seems like not such a good idea in terms of retaining value (I realize that the OP wasn't suggesting such a radical mod).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Trans-Am-GTA-/121687588547?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c55253ec3&item=121687588547
06-30-2015, 03:44 PM
#53
COTM Editor (Retired)
Re: Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
I may have a reason for that. I was recently at a local cruise in and was asked why I haven't been around. I explained that I get tired of going to the cruise ins where the music is the same 50s/60s music they were playing 20 years ago. I have been to many cruise ins where I have been told that I shouldn't be there because my car was too new. This same cruise in recently told a friend of mine that his fully modified 5th gen Camaro wasn't welcome there because it was too new, disregarding the fact that it was completely modified.
An older gentleman overheard my conversation and said that he agreed and felt that cars newer than the late 70s shouldn't attend. He asked what the benefit was of buying a new car and taking it to a cruise in? I asked what benefit it was that someone else restored the car that he brought to the cruise in and all he did was buy it from the person that restored it. This issue may be why a Lime green Challenger Hellcat pulled in and soon left!
When I bought my Camaro in 2000, the '69 Camaro was 31 years old and was seen at cruise ins and shows all the time. The music being played was 40-50 years old and the regulars were in their early 60s. This was their generation. Those same people today are in their mid 70s.
The next wave of car enthusiasts come from the 80s. There wasn't much to be enthused about in the mid to late 70s. So lets take 1980. That makes those cars 35 years old. Four years older than the 69 Camaros that I was seeing everywhere in 2000. They aren't looked at by the attendees at cruise ins.
So, because of the thought I put into this, I've decided to start a new Cruise In in Central Florida that is open to 1978 and newer American cars. The music will be from the late 70s to early 90s. The same music you hear representing car sales from the big 3 today! I think I will need to find a large parking lot, because there will be a lot of cruisers showing up that feel slighted at other cruise ins!
An older gentleman overheard my conversation and said that he agreed and felt that cars newer than the late 70s shouldn't attend. He asked what the benefit was of buying a new car and taking it to a cruise in? I asked what benefit it was that someone else restored the car that he brought to the cruise in and all he did was buy it from the person that restored it. This issue may be why a Lime green Challenger Hellcat pulled in and soon left!
When I bought my Camaro in 2000, the '69 Camaro was 31 years old and was seen at cruise ins and shows all the time. The music being played was 40-50 years old and the regulars were in their early 60s. This was their generation. Those same people today are in their mid 70s.
The next wave of car enthusiasts come from the 80s. There wasn't much to be enthused about in the mid to late 70s. So lets take 1980. That makes those cars 35 years old. Four years older than the 69 Camaros that I was seeing everywhere in 2000. They aren't looked at by the attendees at cruise ins.
So, because of the thought I put into this, I've decided to start a new Cruise In in Central Florida that is open to 1978 and newer American cars. The music will be from the late 70s to early 90s. The same music you hear representing car sales from the big 3 today! I think I will need to find a large parking lot, because there will be a lot of cruisers showing up that feel slighted at other cruise ins!
i feel ya on the music aspect, and i do like the Beach Boys and '50s Doo-Wop, but definitely gets a bit stale.
If you have the resources and wherewithal to put on a car show, then thats awesome. however, if it were me, i would not exclude older muscle car era cars. i think 3rd Gens and 60's and '70s muscle cars should go hand in hand. For sure dont be biased against newish cars in the judging, and play "Fuel" and "Bleeding Me" by Metallica, but you might find attendance to be marginal if older cars are excluded.
this was my recent experience at a car show where i took my '89 Formula 350 and my TTA:
these cars stand out (in a good way) at car shows - in a sea of square shaped muscle era cars and 1st Gen Camaros. there has been nothing like them before or since. the newest muscle cars, as impressive as they can be, are doing their best impression of late '60s - early '70s muscle cars.
my cars got A LOT of attention from the public. i could see people clocking us even as we were pulling in to the event. people are passing by Ford Fairlanes and '68 Camaros and stopping to look at my Third Gens. no one just passes by like it was some r!c3r. i was getting compliments on the Formula when i was on the other side of the event from my cars.
while more people hovered around the TTA, i got more compliments on the Formula. as i was leaving, two boys were arguing, pointing at the Formula saying "THAT'S MY CAR."
point being, it seems like these cars are catching on. maybe not with some car show promoters/judges and the like, but with the public, they are definitely catching on.
Last edited by Linson; 06-30-2015 at 03:55 PM.
06-30-2015, 03:51 PM
#54
COTM Editor (Retired)
Re: Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
as for the OP's conundrum, this is the beauty of a Third Gen - ITS NOT A '63 STINGRAY. you can do whatever you like. it didn't cost you life changing money to buy the car, and you aren't going to make life changing money if you sell it. i have a Third Gen that is extensively (though not outrageously) modded. meaning, it looks pretty much stock, but many systems have been upgraded, so it is a bit meaner than a stock one. that's the car i wanted to have and drive, so that was the endeavor that i pursued.
What, did you go to jail for sumtin??!!
07-17-2015, 08:13 AM
#58
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Re: Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
I say keep it as original as you can!
I fell in love with these cars when they were brand new.
I still think these cars look great on the road compared to todays vehicles (when you catch sight of one which is rare these days).
I have the utmost respect for these cars and I have been a proud owner of an 88 IROC now for over 18 years and although I am guilty of just a few slight modifications under the skin (RAM AIR, poly bushings, shocks, TPI throttle body coolant bypass...) I have done NOTHING that cannot be reversed if I changed my mind.
Plus the fact of being a used parts locater and reseller for over 15 years for these cars I'm kind of biased towards OEM cars so........
D.
I fell in love with these cars when they were brand new.
I still think these cars look great on the road compared to todays vehicles (when you catch sight of one which is rare these days).
I have the utmost respect for these cars and I have been a proud owner of an 88 IROC now for over 18 years and although I am guilty of just a few slight modifications under the skin (RAM AIR, poly bushings, shocks, TPI throttle body coolant bypass...) I have done NOTHING that cannot be reversed if I changed my mind.
Plus the fact of being a used parts locater and reseller for over 15 years for these cars I'm kind of biased towards OEM cars so........
D.
07-19-2015, 12:21 PM
#59
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Car: 1987 z28 all stock + tricked 85 z28
Engine: 388 stroker + Procharger D1SC
Transmission: TKO 600
Axle/Gears: richmond 3:73, EATON, moser shafts
Re: Need advice: Keep 100% factory or slight mods OK?
100% stock plz
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