Question: All stock factory original c3 Mods.

[FactoryC3]

My 1981 C3 is 100% factory original. I have a few questions for your resident experts.

1. Will adding chromed add-ons to engine negatively affect value?
2. The car has Goodyear Polysteel Radial tires..Factory original. Will replacing them with another brand affect value or should I spring for repro tires?
3. Will adding window tint have a negative effect on value?

Thanks in advance

 

[Peer81]

As a 81 owner not to burst the bubble your in but an 81 have no real extra value 100% factory over non OEM ones.
So first question, no. Play save and keep the OEM parts. Within a few years you'll understand that 90% of the chrome parts is cheap chinees junk! That way you can still put the OEM (better) parts back on.
2. If you have a deadwish use the ones that are on it right now. As you can find less and less good 15" tires for the C3 first look at that you want to do with the car if you have high standards for tires you're (and we're) already to late but there are a few second best ones.
3. No

If you're concerned about negative value you should have bought an early C3, just my 0.02.

Greetings Peter

 

[6880 Mike]

I mildly disagree with Peer. Any C3 in original condition has value as an unmolested car. There are potential buyers who want original cars and are willing to pay something above average because of the originality. Any modifications made to an original car lessens the car's value.

That said, it's your car and you can make any changes you want. I will caution against driving the car on forty year old tires. You may want to hold on to them for judging purposes, but you need new tires for daily driving.

Go here: http://www.ncrs.org/ and here http://www.bloomingtongold.com/ and see what you can do with an original car.

 

[Lakeside49]

Mike is right on all counts. I'm not sure about an "81 but can speak for my experience with an "82. I bought it to entirely relive my very early adulthood with a vehicle that I could only own in a dream back in 1982. I paid $2k over comparable cars for mine as being in truly original condition. So if you're thinking about judging events or investment keep it original. I have no illusions about the latter being a longer term proposition - but us early 50-something's have only vague memories of the chrome bumpers and longed for the crash-safer body color bumpers so their value will only appreciate as time goes on (the "82 appreciated more than any other C3 in 2013, though it will take another decade or two to catch up, starting with all-originals, but give it time. But, original will almost always win out - watch how much longer the custom C3's will sit for sale until just the right buyer comes along. It also amazes me about the inaccuracy with ads claiming that the car is "100% original". I can usually spot at least 5-6 blatantly non-original places on most '82's. Recently the were two "completely original" "82's that had even swapped out its Crossfire, so there are ignorant sellers and buyers out there.
On the other hand, it's your car and you should personalize it the way you want to. Yes - we're all guardians of s special piece of proud automotive history so keep it tasteful.


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