restoration question

[Kicnrocks]

I have purchased a nice LS5 with matching numbers and a two digit production number (58) 1971. I am in process of total frame off restoration

It codes as a war bonnet yellow with tan interior, it is now a non production color and black interior.

My question as a newbee, it how much value difference will it make if this car is restored to original standards but with correct trim and color for a different color and trim package like red and black, but correct for a 1971.

It will cost the same either way, I just do not like the factory coded color combination. The reason why I ask is the 50's vettes seen to hold high value and many of them seem to be restored in very nice color combinations like red white. Is this a deal breaker on future value?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Not a deal breaker, but a future purchaser may deduct the cost of returning the car to the original colour from the purchase price.

If you're trying to maximise the value of the car, I hope you're a member of the NCRS. Many people regard this as the ultimate in factory correct standards.

 

[JohnZ]

If the paint color and trim combination don't match the trim tag, it'll get HUGE deductions in judging which will take it well outside of ever earning a Top Flight award. That may not be a consideration for you, but a potential buyer will see that mismatch as requiring $15K to correct if they're looking for a "correct" car. If they don't care about the car being "correct", it won't matter, but with the price you'll be looking for after spending a bundle on a body-off restoration, buyers at that price point will be looking for a "correct" car.

C1 Corvettes are much easier to restore, as they had no trim tag - they can be painted and trimmed in any color combination that was available for that year and be "correct".

 

[oceangal]

just my .02, war bonnet yellow is one of my favorite vette colors.

 

[White75]

If your looking for a proper restoration you'll have to go with the original color scheme to match the trim tag. If you ever try to judge or sell the car to someone that wants originality you'll lose bigtime.
I'm with oceangal. Warbonnet Yellow is gorgeous, don't cheat yourself with good ol' red/black.

 

[Evolution1980]

My question as a newbee, it how much value difference will it make if this car is restored to original standards but with correct trim and color for a different color and trim package like red and black, but correct for a 1971.

Are you restoring the car with the intent of selling it later on? Or is this car likely to be yours until the end of time?

Given that the LS5 was the base 454 for the year, it's not super-special. Special, yes, but not super. :L It will usually be worth more just because it's a big block, but other than that...

If you don't plan on selling the car or having it judged by NCRS, I say keep it whatever color you like. It's your car. Enjoy it.
Was Warbonnet Yellow that deeper/darker yellow? I too liked that yellow (of the 3 variations available).

 

[73shark]

I believe Warbonnet Yellow was a gold color.

 

[White75]

I believe Warbonnet Yellow was a gold color.

Here it is:

 

[Evolution1980]

Here it is:

Ah. No, that's not the yellow I was thinking of. Regardless...

 

[White75]

Ah. No, that's not the yellow I was thinking of. Regardless...

It's not that common of a color if memory serves me right but in the sun it is absolutely stunning.

I think there was a basic yellow also available around that time that looks good too but I'd get WBY over it.

 

[killain]

If the paint color and trim combination don't match the trim tag, it'll get HUGE deductions in judging which will take it well outside of ever earning a Top Flight award. That may not be a consideration for you, but a potential buyer will see that mismatch as requiring $15K to correct if they're looking for a "correct" car. If they don't care about the car being "correct", it won't matter, but with the price you'll be looking for after spending a bundle on a body-off restoration, buyers at that price point will be looking for a "correct" car.

C1 Corvettes are much easier to restore, as they had no trim tag - they can be painted and trimmed in any color combination that was available for that year and be "correct".

I know that to a new purchaser of a collectable corvette, change is common. But sticking with the color and trim that was on it from the factory is really the best way to go. At some point, your going to want to redeem as much as you can of what it cost to to do a full scale restoration ! John Z is right. I had my 79 flight judged and i was deducted a few points for the engine color being off by just a tiny shade of the original color, and they only deducted the few points because the original engine paint is no longer available anywhere. Little things like paint color mean a lot to some buyers.