How Important to Keep Original?

[SwampeastMike]

Should I repair this '79 carpet or replace? This is my first Corvette and first time working with a 35 year-old car. Everything seems original. Some minor problems. At 53K it had the least miles of any of my vehicles.

 

[vett boy]

I had a 69 and drove it almost 280,000 miles and I really tried to keep the car original .When I did sell it the buyer paid what I wanted .So my answer is keep everything as close as practical .

Best wishes and good luck .

 

[Tuna]

If you enjoy it the way it is, keep it that way.

 

[KANE]

Should I repair this '79 carpet or replace? This is my first Corvette and first time working with a 35 year-old car. Everything seems original. Some minor problems. At 53K it had the least miles of any of my vehicles.

That is a tough question.

Like Tuna said... it is up to you.


The car is only original once- but if you don't enjoy it for what it is you won't be happy.

That said, I have never had a completely original Vette stay that way.

Some have had side exhaust, body mods (hoods, bumpers, etc), aftermarket wheels, retrofitted EFI systems, and a slew of other things. What I can tell you is that I enjoyed them all.


I also have a bone stock Trans Am that is a show car and it is as equally enjoyable as my Vettes- but for completely different reasons.


I'd say if you want to swap out the carpet and keep it looking like new (which means losing originality)- then go for it if that makes you happy. There is no sense in keeping a car a certain way just so you can keep it nice for someone else from a future time if you aren't happy with it today.

 

[SwampeastMike]

Found some backing rot on the passenger side and there's significant UV fading in the back so new is on the way.