Just taking a poll

[markiemyster]

Just taking a pole

How many C2 owners out there are into matching numbers as a must and how many are just into building a nice comfortable driver but still keeping the classic look.
I realize for investment purposes matching numbers are the thing.
I personally have updated my suspension, steering, etc. so the ride is more enjoyable while still keeping the classic look as much as possable.
But I was wondering if I'm in the minority?

Mark

 

[Tripleblack51]

Hi Mark,

I have seen a few debates/discussions about this topic.

In response to your poll,
I will say that when I started looking for my mid-year, I was not looking for a "numbers" car. I was looking for a nice driver that I could enjoy, and just happened to find both in one car.

Additionally, what further adds to the value of numbers cars is documentation. The bigger the paper trail (one owner, original bill of sale, tank sticker, etc.) the more dollars they command up front, so you should be able to recoup it later if you try to sell.

I see it as a wash.

Lately, some NOM cars have been selling for as much as numbers cars.

I was not really looking to buy my car as an investment, but rather as a toy, something that I could enjoy.
I found the right car.
I am not saving my car for the next collector. I am not a collector.

As I see it, these cars were built to be enjoyed.
I waited 51 years to get mine, and damn it, I'm gonna enjoy it.

I see you're a "coupe guy". Great choice. Don't these cars have great lines?

Regards,

Pedro

 

[Jack44]

Pedro...You're exactly right in your feelings...And I may quote..These cars are made to enjoy and drive...And there's nothing prettier than a C-2 coupe...

51 years is a long wait...That 1952 Corvette was really something...

 

[Tripleblack51]

Pedro...You're exactly right in your feelings...And I may quote..These cars are made to enjoy and drive...And there's nothing prettier than a C-2 coupe...

51 years is a long wait...That 1952 Corvette was really something...

Damn...can't get away with anything around here...

Yes...I'm sorry I sold mine. Very few people know about the 1952 corvette. Most think the first one came out in '53.

Wish I had the '52 today!

By the way, great choice on your car.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Let me share my story.I have been playing with cars since a child.Rebuilding cars always,I have always owned a project car and useally build them for my self and drive them a while and enjoy them,But I have found its more fun to build them then to show them.So historiclly I have always sold a car when complete because I was offered more for the car then I fealt it was worth.

Needless to say,I had never liked corvettes I never had an intrest in one.I went for a ride in a 427/435 coupe with side pipes and that was it I was hooked,(Now remember I have rebuilt and driven just about every musce car know to man ,But the exsperance of that car made me purchased my car with in weeks).

I had no idea about numbers and completely lucked out with my purchase.So the first place I went was to the book store and purchased some books on the car I learned about the NCRS and joined and gathered a lot of information from there web site and started working on the car,Almost every car I have redone has allways be done to the way the factory made them except with maybee some radial tires on them.I started cruise the vette and showing it a your normall show and shine and kept running into corvette folks.At first I was put off buy the corvette guys because they would completley offer un wanted advice about the car,Bumpers are crooked,hood not aligned corect,rear deck lid not closeing perfect,wrong alternator,starter ect ect ect.I am thinking WOW these guys are nuts and real anal to know these numbers and dates and colors so well.In talking to these folks I realized they could not help them selfs it was a sickness and they had to do it they were not putting me down they were actually trying to bring me and my car up to a higher level I mean one guy actually adjusted my hood perfect at a show because he felt it distracted so much from the cars quaility from a 20 minute adjustment. I have become a numbers type of a guy because of peer pressure,But I truley enjoy it.the hunt for the information,the hunt for the correct part then the hunt for the correct date code,When I see a car that is numbers matching I respect the builder of the car because I understand what he had to do to accomplish it.
But I am not a guy who doesnt drive his car.I am the first to take some one for a ride in the car powershifting it a 6300 rpms to show them how insane this car was the day it left the factory.And to show them what a big block mid year can do,So mine is no trailer queen for sure but it has became a numbers matching ncrs type of a car but driven how ever and when ever I like.

But the trailer queens I also have great respect for.because I know what they did to become that way.

As for saying I dont enjoy drivig the car I do but only for that plant you in the seat feel you get when you put your foot into it.If I had to go on an hour pleasure ride I would surley take the C5 out not the C2

 

[bluestripe67]

I like them all, but I have to confess I personally am very flexible with my car. It has all the original drivetrain and is modified for better performance in power and handling along with components that ad reliability. This is my personal preference based on the fact that I will never sell the car. Even if I have trouble driving a 4-speed in the coming years I'm planning on converting to a 3 or 4 speed automatic. I have owned my '67 for 30 years, and it has 187K miles. More miles of smiles

 

[Tripleblack51]

I like them all, but I have to confess I personally am very flexible with my car. It has all the original drivetrain and is modified for better performance in power and handling along with components that ad reliability. This is my personal preference based on the fact that I will never sell the car. Even if I have trouble driving a 4-speed in the coming years I'm planning on converting to a 3 or 4 speed automatic. I have owned my '67 for 30 years, and it has 187K miles. More miles of smiles

Bluestripe,

I'm with you. I will try to drive my four speed as long as I can.
It's just too much fun.

Your car sounds pretty. Do you have any pictures?



Please share.

Regards,

Pedro

 

[chevyford8]

I like the classic look. As far as a numbers matching car it does not matter, I would rather have drivability, reliability and performance. My 66 came with the correct motor and I try to use correct parts as much as possible. But after being at a Corvette event and the vendors were talking about re-stamping for the correct numbers to get the price of the car up, I would rather have a non matching number car and know it, then to find out my matching number car is a fake as far as originality goes.

 

[youwish2bme]

This seems to be a common topic more as of late then in the past or at least to me. With the influx of people looking to "park" money someone has fed them a line of poopie that only numbers cars are worth money. Well this drives the value of the numbers cars. I've been in an on going email debate of this exact subject and my take is that numbers are nice but most people who have a numbers vette will sell it at the first chance and buy a driver for fear of losing money if something happens to their numbers vette. Honestly I just completed my search and numbers matching was never an issue with me. I would rather have the date code correct car over a numbers car b/c if I throw a rod in the block that I have it's no big deal. Anyway just my .02.. Dave

 

[JohnZ]

I've done six Corvette body-off restorations over the years, and have always done them as closely to original/correct as possible, just because I like to maintain the original heritage of the cars; I have them judged once, get my Top Flight, and then drive them and enjoy them - one Top Flight is enough for me.

My '67 is the first Corvette I've had that I didn't restore myself; the previous owner had a body-off done a couple of years ago, and it was quite nicely done, including an all-original drivetrain, although from a detail perspective it wasn't necessarily all done to NCRS specs. I've since gathered the correct/dated components it needs (radiator, alternator, voltage regulator, coil, and a bunch of fasteners, clips, clamps, etc.), and it will be ready for judging later this summer. It will Top Flight, then I'm done with the "numbers" and will just drive it and enjoy it.

I appreciate any car that shows good engineering and craftsmanship, whether it's stock or modified, as it reflects the owner's pride of workmanship and dedication of time, sweat, and money to do it right; personally, I prefer the "stock" route for my own cars, but that's not the "only" way. I've also built a number of street rods, three Cobras, and a tube-frame Grand Sport, so I've done cars in many categories - I just enjoy seeing top-quality workmanship and sound engineering practice.

 

[67HEAVEN]

My take on all this. Only the view as it applies to me and my car.

 

[Subfixer]

Here's how mine is going.. When I bought it, every thing was original except the engine, paint and side pipes. I got the original engine (apart) in the deal. Its rebuildable, but that's for later.

The car has never been restored and I have decided to continue to "maintain" the car, not restore it. So far, so good. It's for driving, not show.

 

[bluestripe67]

Tripleblack51, If I get a digital camera I'll post some current pics. Right now, if you go to, Corvettemagazine.com, find your way to Archives, then Feature Article, then Feature Cars, then # 82. It's titled, "On the road to WOW". I'm pretty proud of this, but since then I have added flat center caps to the wheels, removed the driving lights, and replaced the blue 1/4 in stripe with a 1/4 in. red in order to get the, red, white, and blue effect.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Tripleblack51, If I get a digital camera I'll post some current pics. Right now, if you go to, Corvettemagazine.com, find your way to Archives, then Feature Article, then Feature Cars, then # 82. It's titled, "On the road to WOW". I'm pretty proud of this, but since then I have added flat center caps to the wheels, removed the driving lights, and replaced the blue 1/4 in stripe with a 1/4 in. red in order to get the, red, white, and blue effect.

bluestripe67's HOOD

bluestripe67's CAR



Nice car Dennis!

 

[bluestripe67]

Thanks '67HEAVEN, I ware a perminate smile when I'm in the seat.

 

[sidepipe]

Hi Mark..My 65 convertible is a driver. When I got it in '92 it was to drive. It had the wrong engine (but right month and year), the wrong color and the day I payed it off, I smacked a Mercury at an intersection. I decide to rebuild it as I would have ordered it new. I tore it done to the bare frame and started rebuilding with reliabilty in mind. If I could get a part in stainless, then that's what I used. I added repro knockoffs, sidepipes ( with riveted brackets) full tinted glass, shot medium garnet metallic on it, put a rebuilt telescoping column on with a teakwood wheel. Topped it off with a new white interior. I built this Vette for myself, as if I had checked the options in the dealer's 38 years ago. I could have afforded a "correct dated" engine but had more fun rebuilding the 327 that was in it. Ported and polished the heads, threaded rocker studs, guide plates and full roller rockers, 2 1/2" exhaust. It all looks stock except the valve covers, and it brings a smile to my face everytime I drive it. Zora said the Vette was made to drive and my plate says it all...THKSZORA!! Just my story..See ya..Frank

 

[markiemyster]

Blue Stripe 67 **awesome**

Blue Stripe,
Followed your links and looked at your pics and story. Your car is truly a work of art. I've only had my vette a year but now I certainly know what to strive for.
Keep up the good work.
Mark


:BOW

 

[Tripleblack51]

Re: Blue Stripe 67 **awesome**

Blue Stripe,
Followed your links and looked at your pics and story. Your car is truly a work of art.
Mark


:BOW

I could not have said it better. Your car is truly beautiful.

I too recently got my mid-year and can appreciate what you've
done to your vette.

Enjoy.

 

[magicv8]

I bag the original parts and drive the up to date ones.

Let the next owner worry about putting them back.

 

[vigman]

Numbers matching.. what's that?

HAH!

I bought a MUTT

It will be a hot rod

I WILL enjoy it.. and I wont feel bad that the differential numbers do not match the rest of the car ( or the engine or tranny for that matter).

Function before form...(at least on my budget).

And I refuse to go insane looking for the "correct" bolt to put an assy together.

However that being said, I will remove all the KLUDGE work the previous owners did.. and make it look as clean & new as time & money permits.

Vig~