Keep it stock, or make it your own?

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Garry in AZ

Garry in AZ

Building a 9 second Valiant
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
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Location
Mesa, AZ
I have only been a member of this forum for a little over a year, but I've noticed that there seems to be more "keep it all stock, all original" guys here than in other forums I participate in. (Except for maybe the Corvette forum, there are some seriously fanatical "keep it stock" guys over there.)
I have never owned a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile) that I did not modify in some way to make it better suited to me or to do what I wanted from it, better. I'm firmly in the "not-stock" group, and I have been my whole life.
I know there are some rare "numbers matching" low production cars that need to be kept as original as possible to maintain value, but collector cars aside, what would some of the reasons be to keep something pretty common all original?
Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with anyone who prefers a 100% stock original vehicle, and I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain it that way. It just seems strange to me, and I'm trying to understand the appeal, not cause an argument.
 
My motto is it's yours. Do what makes you happy. Number matching cars are over rated. :)
 
One reason to keep original is when you go into parts stores it’s easier for the kid behind the counter to find your parts and no need for me to explain what I need. That being said, that’s not what I did! I made mine my own!
 
I think if you're going to keep it for a while you can just do what you want to it, but a lot of people want to buy something that is close to stock so if you're planning on reselling it ever, keep it close to stock or at least stock looking. I like the stock look with modern upgrades to the wheels and tires, engine and perhaps a few other things.
 
Garry in AZ said:
I have only been a member of this forum for a little over a year, but I've noticed that there seems to be more "keep it all stock, all original" guys here than in other forums I participate in. (Except for maybe the Corvette forum, there are some seriously fanatical "keep it stock" guys over there.)
I have never owned a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile) that I did not modify in some way to make it better suited to me or to do what I wanted from it, better. I'm firmly in the "not-stock" group, and I have been my whole life.
I know there are some rare "numbers matching" low production cars that need to be kept as original as possible to maintain value, but collector cars aside, what would some of the reasons be to keep something pretty common all original?
Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with anyone who prefers a 100% stock original vehicle, and I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain it that way. It just seems strange to me, and I'm trying to understand the appeal, not cause an argument.
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I don't get it either, as I am also a "Do whatever I want to it" person with pretty much zero regard for keeping anything stock.
I did screw up once pretty bad by swapping out the numbers matching 383 Magnum in my 69 Roadrunner and leaving it in a field at a friends house.:D
As far as modding things Dad used to tell me "They did it that way for a reason" and my reply was always "If they would have done it this way in the first place, I wouldn't have to be redoing it".
 
Garry in AZ said:
I have only been a member of this forum for a little over a year, but I've noticed that there seems to be more "keep it all stock, all original" guys here than in other forums I participate in. (Except for maybe the Corvette forum, there are some seriously fanatical "keep it stock" guys over there.)
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thats the way many boring *** mopar guys think. they are so freaking uptight.

make the damn car your own and never look back is what i say.


you should check out moparts ... holy cow! the keep it stock nuts are a majority there...




.
 
Can be be very difficult and take a long time to find all the correct parts ...becomes a challenge!
Very easy to bolt on generic stuff that will work fine.Probably wise to modify if you are improving
things.Modifying an A body probably won't hurt it's value unless it's an M code.
 
I modified my first car with engines and transmission, then got the correct interior because the wrong seat I had sucked! Big and little wheels and tires, headers and 3" exhaust. The second car has wheels and tires but is mostly still stock. The third and fourth will be non stock with period correct parts, a couple of what if type builds, and I have one car that will get a restoration to stock. I never thought that last bit would be uttered from my lips, but having a hot rod, a mild cruiser and two other not original cars, I figured why not have one stock car. But overall I say do what you want, it's yours after all.
 
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TrailBeast said:
As far as modding things Dad used to tell me "They did it that way for a reason" and my reply was always "If they would have done it this way in the first place, I wouldn't have to be redoing it".
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At driving age I got one of Dad's ex-work trucks, '66 Ranchero 289 factory 4bbl and 4 speed variety. He thought the engine needed to be freshened up so he took it to his company engine shop. It returned with 10 1/2-1s and a Crower cam that looked like part of the Rocky Mountains :lol:.
 
My preference is a more or less stock looking vehicle. Mechanical and electrical mods though are cool. If my car was "special" maybe i might think differently. Again personal preference, do as you like with your car.
 
If it’s stock and you wish to make it your own you could always keep your stock parts and if you ever decide to sell the vehicle it let the parts go with it and let next person do what they wish.
 
Garry in AZ said:
I have only been a member of this forum for a little over a year, but I've noticed that there seems to be more "keep it all stock, all original" guys here than in other forums I participate in. (Except for maybe the Corvette forum, there are some seriously fanatical "keep it stock" guys over there.)
I have never owned a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile) that I did not modify in some way to make it better suited to me or to do what I wanted from it, better. I'm firmly in the "not-stock" group, and I have been my whole life.
I know there are some rare "numbers matching" low production cars that need to be kept as original as possible to maintain value, but collector cars aside, what would some of the reasons be to keep something pretty common all original?
Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with anyone who prefers a 100% stock original vehicle, and I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain it that way. It just seems strange to me, and I'm trying to understand the appeal, not cause an argument.
Click to expand...
I am a dedicated “Your car your way” fella. I like them restored and modified. I modify mine. I have no worries about it because there are more than just a few perfect examples in museums and private hands.

I won’t take a restored vehicle and modify it.
But I will take a beat up POS or poor driver and have my way with it. I say to the resto guys my moto above and “If your that offended by it, you should have bought it and restored it. Speaking of which, if you wanna purchase this car to restore....”
 
Yes, do what you want. I get so tired of guys on here saying Don't forget to Black out the front after you paint it or it's wrong. Who really gives a ****. Do it your Way.
 
My buddy is into cop cars. Its all about originality. He also owns that 300 hurst car with the big hurst stick coming out the back with the hot blonde. Its a challenge to find these parts and put them together to get as close to representing the stock. Many of our cars in reality are better than what Ma made. Personally, I am going for a 70s look. Stock dash with not stock paint and big tires. Its up to the artist to decide what the sculpture will look like. Ill have 15-17K into it and thats probably what it might sell for. My time is free.
 
I tell them “It’s only wrong if it is a restored car”

I hate the follow up reply. It’s stupid but get it every time. They say...

“(Well) isn’t it restored?”

I laugh and roll my eyes and say loudly, “REALLY! Come on man! With the aftermarket intake and headers? What part of that is “RESTORED” in your book?!?!?!”

Fuckin Morons!

Hate resto Nazi’s! Assholes!
 
Your car, your build. Make it how you want.

My 1970 Duster was a /6 3 speed car. Came to me with a non-running 340 in it with a 4 speed and 8.75” 3.23 Sure Grip. Am I going back stock? Nope! My car. My build.
 
I don't care either way as long as the car is being driven. Not once a year, not twice a year, but frequently. Yeah sure, some parts of the country that's not year round, but that's an even better reason to drive the wheels off it the rest of the time.

I end up being a "make it your own" guy, because the people that are willing to frequently drive a full-on numbers matching car are few and far between. And because to really drive these cars that often, and safely, means upgrades. Sure, you can meander down to the local car show on a sunny, dry weekend on your skinny bias ply's backed up by drum brakes and stock torsion bars. But not too many people will want to run that set up down the freeway at 70 mph in the rain. At least not very often.

Cars are supposed to be DRIVEN. Why is a hemi 'Cuda worth so much? It's not just because they're rare. Hell a '74 Challenger is more rare than a '70 RT Challenger. They're worth that because of their reputation on the street, the one they got from being driven. Yeah sure, some of those rare models being preserved as original resto's is a good thing. But if no one ever drives them, that's what all of them will become- museum pieces. And what the heck is the fun in that?
 
72bluNblu said:
I don't care either way as long as the car is being driven. Not once a year, not twice a year, but frequently. Yeah sure, some parts of the country that's not year round, but that's an even better reason to drive the wheels off it the rest of the time.

I end up being a "make it your own" guy, because the people that are willing to frequently drive a full-on numbers matching car are few and far between. And because to really drive these cars that often, and safely, means upgrades. Sure, you can meander down to the local car show on a sunny, dry weekend on your skinny bias ply's backed up by drum brakes and stock torsion bars. But not too many people will want to run that set up down the freeway at 70 mph in the rain. At least not very often.

Cars are supposed to be DRIVEN. Why is a hemi 'Cuda worth so much? It's not just because they're rare. Hell a '74 Challenger is more rare than a '70 RT Challenger. They're worth that because of their reputation on the street, the one they got from being driven. Yeah sure, some of those rare models being preserved as original resto's is a good thing. But if no one ever drives them, that's what all of them will become- museum pieces. And what the heck is the fun in that?
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Exactly, and I drive mine to the tune of thousands of miles a year (around 20k)
The outside looks fairly stock besides the scoop and tires, but everywhere else it's completely not.
 
Obviously, its your car do what you want.
Having said that, I think it all comes down to the car.

Panther Pink 1970 340 Dart Swinger 4 speed car...Back to original.
1965 Plymouth Valiant slant six auto. Do what ever the heck you want. Depends on the situation to me. And before I start any car, I come up with a plan for it, and then execute it.
 
I prefer my cars stock. It’s like rolling history. My 64 Fury 2dr Ht with a slant six has 29,000 mi. Every one says a 440 should go in it. I like to look at all old cars, even brand x stock or not
 
Your car, your time, your money.

If someone doesn't like it, let em make an offer, buy it, and build it his way.

Seriously, I love the old school pics, back when the cars were new. A12 cars, with Cragars and fat tires. AAR's with shackles and sidepipes. You know, back when they were just cars.

OH, wait, they still are.
 
FISHYPETE said:
I prefer my cars stock. It’s like rolling history. My 64 Fury 2dr Ht with a slant six has 29,000 mi. Every one says a 440 should go in it. I like to look at all old cars, even brand x stock or not
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Your car, your money, your time. You ain't wrong for you, Pete.
 
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