'73 L-82, should I worry about devaluation due to mod's?

[lone73]

I have had my '73 since '98. I have done a lot of fixes to it just to get it drivable. One of the first was to install a ZZ4 due to troubles with the original L-82. I have since added DFI with Street & Performance "Tunnel Ram" intake, upper rear control arms and threw away the c-clips, cd player (center bezel was broke anyway), R134 a/c, Hurst shifter ...a few other mods as well.

Now I'm thinking about ripping out the stock steering and going with either a R&P or a 12:1 ratio PS box from Corvette Steering.

I wasn't worried too much about mods at first due to discovering, after I bought it, that it had been hit on the left side anyway. I don't know how that affects it's chances of ever being worth much as an NCRS car but i assumed it would have a negative affect.

I guess I'm at a point where I should either go forward with more mods to enhance drivability and forget about originality or start the long road back to being original and sell it. I still have most of the parts I took off...

Are '73 L-82 4 speeds worth the effort of keeping original??
Are they anything special?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.
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[BeaterShark]

[RANT ON]
I don't get why people put so much effort and thought into THEIR cars about what to do to make SOMEONE ELSE happy later down the road. Surely you wouldn't put a whole lot of time and effort laying down stone tile in your house just so that one day when you sell your house, you will get more for it, right? Why do we go through this for our cars?

lone73, this rant was not really directed at you, but this topic comes around quite often and I usually stay out of it, but for whatever reason, I hit that reply button this time...
[RANT OFF]

If it's the potential money you are worried about, yes, you will lose more money modifing it and you will probably have a more difficult time selling it. My advise would be that if you plan on selling it relatively soon, go stock. If not, do what makes you happy.

 

[Mac]

I would say hold onto any original parts so if someone wants to put it back to original in the future, it's available. It's your car, do it your way.

-Mac

 

[mike weyman]

having the original drivetrain is very important as the mindset is that a "corvette engine" is something special, i guess they just want to be sure they aren't getting a milk truck engine.once you change anything, you may as well change it all to make you happy.
any mods that are well planned out, tasteful and properly done will improve the value of almost any vehicle.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I think if you watch the used car trade, you'll see that an original, stock configuration car will always bring more money than a modified car, both being of equal condition.

Yes, '73 4 speed L82s are worth money and are well worth saving, but it's your car.

 

[Tom73]

I think if you watch the used car trade, you'll see that an original, stock configuration car will always bring more money than a modified car, both being of equal condition.

Yes, '73 4 speed L82s are worth money and are well worth saving, but it's your car.

I agree. But do with it as you see fit. The more original cars that get mod'ed the more the value of mine go up I would recommend to not make any changes that cannot be undone and keep all of the original parts.

A good rule for value is to look up the value in a "good" guide, then deduct from that price what it would take to return the car back to original.

tom...