Bone stock VS heavily modified

[CaliWagon83]

I have nothing but respect for those that either want to preserve a survivor, do a factory-correct restoration, a one-of-a-kind restomod, or an all-out race car.

In my particular situation, I already have a relatively well-preserved survivor. It gets a lot of looks and admiration for that aspect alone. However, technology has come a long way in 35 years, and if there’s a way to incorporate some of those improvements while being respectful to the car’s heritage and history, that’s my goal.

Honestly, the goal with my restomod from 20 feet away, I want people to think my wagon is stock. When they get closer, they’ll find all the subtle custom “Easter Eggs” that look period correct, but are obviously not original.

Basically, if a bunch of gearheads in Buick’s R&D skunkworks back in the ‘80s had today’s technology, and were given a Regal wagon and told, “Do whatever you want.” That’s my goal, if that makes any sense.

 

[fleming442]

Basically, if a bunch of gearheads in Buick’s R&D skunkworks back in the ‘80s had today’s technology, and were given a Regal wagon and told, “Do whatever you want.” That’s my goal, if that makes any sense.

Not really, but I'm down. Are you done yet? We need a pic of the engine crate, at least.

 

[CaliWagon83]

Not really, but I'm down. Are you done yet? We need a pic of the engine crate, at least.

Not even close. 🤣 Still compiling my hoard of parts for the transformation. At least it’s running & driving as-is. 🙂

 

[JAMCAR223]

Maybe it's different depending on where you live, but the question I get asked the most is "How much you want for it?" My prepared answer is to smile and say tongue-in-cheek, "I promise to let you know when there's a for sale sign on it." Don't want to be rude, but after a while of that, it does get a little old. They don't know how many times I hear that but I do want to remain cordial.

The disrespect for bone stock seems to run throughout this thread. Some of you are RACE-ists! 🙂 But no matter. It all depends on what your personal goals are. If I want to slam gears and turn corners and go fast, I have a ZL1 for that. I see restoring one of these G-tubs back to stock glory as a challenge. To me, anyone can modify anything. That's easier to do IMO. Enough parts places out there to convert anything just about to whatever floats your boat plus that big engine bay, full frame (sorta) and conventional suspension systems makes for an inviting modding platform. Which is fine as well because choices are what it's all about. And some modded cars turn out absolutely gorgeous. My restoration plan started in 1985 right after I bought mine new when I had hardly any money but bought new GM parts anyway when I could (before they became NOS). So there's that. I'm going to complete my plan if it kills me. Or something else kills me. I know I'll always be in the minority, because there's very few of us out there with that goal.

But to restore something to near-factory stock is a bigger challenge to me because your tolerance margins are already set for you. So you're put in a box. And when I do restore my car, it will not be assembled exactly the way GM did it originally. I'll actually give two shiits about the quality of the build and over-do it and straighten out paint lines and stripes and stuff like that. And actually put all the parts on the car it was supposed to come with and tighten the bolts to the proper torque, etc. (I have stories about that). GM initial quality in the G-body years was not anything to write home about for sure. Obvious GM flaws that need to be fixed that I'm not going back factory with are the paint type (lacquer sucks and can't find anyone around here that would does it anymore anyway), the cam gear/timing chain will not have plastic in it, transmission parts like the pump will get a vane upgrade. Little stuff like that. So 100% factory stock won't ever happen as it is.

When I'm done, it'll (hopefully) look much better than GM did it to begin with. Which also reminds me that with a stock restoration, you actually CAN be done. With mods, you're never finished. Then I will get to relive my dream of owning a "new" 85 442 again. I'm very tempted to go off the rails and max handle that beech, lower it and drop a 455 or 403 in it. But then, I could buy another Cutlass to do that with. No. This one is going to be stock with a trainload of new GM parts. I did all my modding back in my younger days on A-bodies. I never object to mods, but that's not where this one is heading. It never was. And if it's a money pit, so what? It's my money pit. I already knew it'll never be worth as much on the market than I have in it. So I guess I'll just have to keep it.

My biggest challenge to getting started is to allot the time for it. I thought retirement would fix all that, but it seems I'm busier now than I was when I was working. I'm under new management now but I do get to sleep with the boss. 🙂

Lack of power, huge wheel well gaps, dim lighting, lack of cup holders, noodle-like frames... to each their own. It's just not for me. Sounds like you're paying for your stock 442, TWICE. How is modifying easier?? It takes thought, time, effort, trial & error to do it. Unbolting a factory part, and simply replacing it... that's as easy as it gets. There's no reward in that for me. I hope you get to relive your dream all over again, but you better get started soon. If your back is anything like mine, my time frame for crawling under cars is limited. To ALL my GBody brothers... stock or modified... the object is to keep these cars alive. It's your car. Care for it any way you like!

 

[michmalibuman]

Stock looking sleeper for me. 😎

 

[jlcustomz]

I think the nicest ,eh I mean most clean, unmolested over cared for & barely used original near mint condition el camino I ever saw was a beige colored unoptioned , manual window, v-6 model with 14" wheels & hub caps for sale at Daytona a few years ago. Practically not one scratch in the bed. While I can respect mint original cars with some special to them, this was just a reminder of something I didn't want way back then when they all were that condition. There is just no way someone with the heartbeat of a hot rodder could ever be happy with something like that as is.