Something to make the purist sick. PICS ADDED

[DRIVEN]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

It's not that big of a deal either way to me. Besides, it's all reversible anyway. I say enjoy it now. Even if Gbodys reach ultra-collectible status someday (and I personally don't think most will) then there will likely be a supporting aftermarket. The fact remains that GM made millions of these cars so parts aren't impossible to find -- you may just have to look for them.
Look at some of the stuff that the collector guys are bringing back to life. There are a lot of Hemi Callengers, COPO Camaros, and Boss 429 Mustangs that had very rough early lives. Between rust, floods, wrecks, and racetracks, most of the high dollar auction cars have interesting pasts. Sure, they all may look perfect now but very few were truly babied or considered investments from day one. They were built and bought to be enjoyed and most were.

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

It's not that big of a deal either way to me. Besides, it's all reversible anyway. I say enjoy it now. Even if Gbodys reach ultra-collectible status someday (and I personally don't think most will) then there will likely be a supporting aftermarket. The fact remains that GM made millions of these cars so parts aren't impossible to find -- you may just have to look for them.
Look at some of the stuff that the collector guys are bringing back to life. There are a lot of Hemi Callengers, COPO Camaros, and Boss 429 Mustangs that had very rough early lives. Between rust, floods, wrecks, and racetracks, most of the high dollar auction cars have interesting pasts. Sure, they all may look perfect now but very few were truly babied or considered investments from day one. They were built and bought to be enjoyed and most were.

and many still are...and that number seems to be increasing... 🙂

 

[grandamman]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

Generally as a rule I love pissing off Purists....

Sounds like a really good use of your time.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

Nothing I own is factory original bacuase I just can't leave stuff alone. So while a purist may cringe, I say do what you want, who cares? I do feel that a Pontiac belongs in a Pontiac, and so on, but you will find those anal people can't be pleased anyway. They have a cow just because the spark plugs aren't original......

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

I like Pontiac in a Pontiac, Buick in a Buick, etc, just for the cool factor and also because GM never put anything worth a damn in a g-body (besides the '86-87 turbo cars). I don't consider myself a purist, I just got burned out with bowties a long time ago. B.O.P is just more interesting to me now.

 

[pontiacgp]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

How can these cars be purest when they are metric?...

 

[efigp83]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

i wrestled with the same problem with my car. grandma bought it new, i got it when i turned 21(now i'm 37). I kept it stock for a while then I completely redid the whole drive train, b/c i figured even stock the car really is not going to be worth anything and i wanted to go fast. my exterior is still stock, but when i start it up people know i mean business.

 

[chevy2480]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

And yet we're all thinking it. "If only I'd bought a Grand National or Aerocoupe or 442 in '87 and stashed it..."

OP's project :lol: sounds like it was already semi-ruined as a track car with the cage and tubs and all, probably had the interior gutted, too... at that point, why not. You're not going to bring that one back. I wasn't speaking directly to him or anyone ITT specifically. I don't think anyone is saying (I'm not!) that we shouldn't be driving these things and having fun with them.

Couldnt agree more on the semi- ruined comment. But car could go either direction. Still has fully intact interior. Guy was going LS turbo swap and life got in the way. Now owning a GN i know first hand it would cost thousand to go back the other way. And i have grown board with my wagon and this is a perfect car to swap everything into. The hard works done. Bringing it home Saturday will post pics. Now to deside if i want to sell the 8.5 in it or stash it. Because as you know they arent making them anymore. Lol

 

[suffrn6]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

Let the haters hate. 😀 It's your car and you should build it the way you want it. I could see putting it back to original if it was one of the 547 made in 1987 (GNX), but it is a T that has been cut already.
Put your running gear in it and enjoy it. The purest's that are going to be screaming are the guys that aren't running as fast as you at the track and have twice the amount of money in their cars.
As for the 8.5 I say stash it away and keep it for a "just in case sh*t happens" moment.
Looking forward to some pics.

Chris

 

[85GPLef41]

Re: Something to make the purist sick.

i wrestled with the same problem with my car. grandma bought it new, i got it when i turned 21(now i'm 37). I kept it stock for a while then I completely redid the whole drive train, b/c i figured even stock the car really is not going to be worth anything and i wanted to go fast. my exterior is still stock, but when i start it up people know i mean business.

x2 I like the way you think!