Restoration vs customization

[LukeZ]

ive come across a dilemma, and need the help of some users here. This is mostly opionion based.

So I have an 86 SS El Camino, that is all stock, or at least stock looking. The engine and drivetrain are original (305, 200R4, 2.56 rear, etc...), but I have new headliner, new bumpers, fresh paint that matches the original, new rallies, new tires, new A/C, and a bunch more new replacement parts that look original. I also have a few unoriginal things (that can be easily removed though), like sequential LED taillights, 6 1/2in speakers behind the seats, red interior LEDs, a new stereo/radio unit, and a bed cover (it's a $1200 Gaylords cover, it's like fiberglass or something).

I have been wanting to get new exhaust on my enigne, and then when i get a little more money, do a 350 swap, keeping my exhaust. My dad was saying that I should keep this one original because it would be worth more, and just restore it and buy a junky one a few years down the road when I get some money and drop a 350 in there and what not, but my elco I have now is my first car, and my daily driver. I am not too fond of the weak 305, which, in my opinion, is one of the worst sbcs available (because of its tiny bore), but I kind of like having a numbers matching, original SS. Should I take my dad's advice? Or should I just keep this one, and either do an engine swap, or not do an engine swap? Would custom exhaust on the stock 305 take away from its classic value? I did a hagerty search for an 86 SS, and a showroom condition that is all original fetches about 20k, while a beat up daily driver gets about 3 to 5k. Mine is by no means beat up, it has new cosmetics, it's just old, but it looks nice and clean.

Anyone have opinions on stuff like this? Thanks

 

[1evilregal]

that is a tough one....
my opinion (and that is all it is, it's your car-you have to make the decision that makes YOU happy) is: being that it's an SS, and about as close to showroom original as you can get for something it's age, I tend to agree with your dad on this... then again, I'm an old fart and like the limited run vehicles pure, and the run of the mill cars to be built to enjoy...

looks like a beautiful car, and I'm sure you'll get a range of opinions! just think it out before starting to hack into it and doing something you'll regret or cost you down the road...

HTH,
Darin

 

[oldsofb]

To be honest, 20K is probably going to be an all #'s matching concours perfect low miles SS. There have been plenty of conversations on here about future values of these vehicles (G-Body's in general). The problem is that the bulk of these vehicles were made with horribly weak power trains. They just don't command the higher values. I may be wrong on this (and I hope I am), but that's the bottom line. If it was a GN or T-Type then there's a good argument to keeping it stock.

If you ask me, I say enjoy the vehicle NOW! I have an all original 87 Olds 442, and I'm changing everything on it. Let someone else spend 15K restoring one to 20K value, only to never be driven again and looked at lovingly in some climate controlled garage. If need be you can put the whole drive train aside and replace the stock stuff for restoration later.

I say modify it to your liking, and then drive the balls off of it.

Hutch

 

[565bbchevy]

I personally can't keep any car stock regardless of what it is and I think "tastefull" modifications actually increase the value of the car for most people besides making it far more enjoyable for you to drive.
There are plenty of things including drivetrain swaps that you can do and just save everything you take off so if you really decide you want a stock car again (highly unlikely) then you return to how GM originally had it.

 

[Rktpwrd]

that is a tough one....
my opinion (and that is all it is, it's your car-you have to make the decision that makes YOU happy) is: being that it's an SS, and about as close to showroom original as you can get for something it's age, I tend to agree with your dad on this... then again, I'm an old fart and like the limited run vehicles pure, and the run of the mill cars to be built to enjoy...

looks like a beautiful car, and I'm sure you'll get a range of opinions! just think it out before starting to hack into it and doing something you'll regret or cost you down the road...

HTH,
Darin

X2 ^^^
It's your car, and you really should do with it what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy. Do with it what really speaks to you.

There's also no reason you can't have the best of both worlds up to a certain point.
As mentioned above, things like lights and stereo speakers can be easily changed back to stock if you have the foresight to tuck the stock items away for future reinstallment. That way, if you choose to return everything back to original to get the resale value out of it, you can do so. Motors and exhaust are a little harder to do that with, but can still be done if desired.

If you think you might sell it at some point in the future, I would maybe go this route, but at the end of the day, it's your car. Follow your heart, and do what YOU want.

 

[LukeZ]

I don't ever plan on selling this, so maybe I could just customize it. I wouldn't mind doing a fixer-upper tho, I actually think it would be fun. My only concern is that most Elkys I find have bench seats and column shifters. My car has the buckets and a floor shifter, which is apparently hard to come by here in delaware. I don't know.

Listen, I allrecjte all

 

[LukeZ]

Listen, I appreciate a of your inputs. I will have to think hard about this. And sorry, I accidentally hit the post button

 

[LukeZ]

Is there anyone out there who has 2 copies of the same car, one that is all original, and one that is fully customized?

 

[axisg]

really if you are concerned just fog and pull the motor to tuck it away somewhere. The 2.56 gears must be a dog so set the whole rear aside LOL.
My car was all orig for about a week when I bought it. But I knew even before I pulled the 305 and peg leg rear they were never ever ever ever going back in so I sold what I could and scrapped the rest. FWIW you have to look really hard at my car to tell that its not the orig 305 in there when you open the hood. Right down to the air cleaner and painted my new motor to look stock.

And I do recall there are a couple guys on MCSS that have a "stock" car and a "toy".

 

[Geo's66]

I'm with these guys- bought a fairly clean 78 Monte, factory 4-speed, 1700 made... No one 20 years from now is going to say I NEED that car, the way it was originally... Keeping most appearance stock, but new drivetrain w 450hp going in... And it will be flogged.... Enjoy whatever you decide.