A question of originality

Captainkirk said
Great advise! I will probably keep the original parts based on this thought and store them, as-is, so that anyone in the future wanting to restore the car to original condition can do so if they choose, while allowing me to get the best performance and handling right now, while I'm still young enough (in my mind) to go rip up the blacktop. Anyone who has read my resto thread knows what a long, strange trip it's been. I'm already behind the game by not having a numbers-matching engine in this car, but I'm building the engine I want. Same should go for brakes and suspension, from my point of view. I just want to keep as much original as I can, but not at the sake of performance or safety. It's always helpful to get the opinions of others before jumping off the proverbial cliff and doing something I may regret down the road.

I've watched your thread on and off over the years. I bought my car because it was a rust free, true 340 H code car. I planned on mini-tubs, a reverse pattern shifter, and a hairy small block. On hearing rumors about where to look for the build sheet, I pulled up the back seat, and Bingo! It was a desert car, so the build sheet was in excellent condition, all numbers visible. That changed everything. I'm hot rodding it, but it has to appear stock, and any changes must be able to return to stock without any cutting or welding. If you think you're too old to rip up the black top, then sell the car I'm 63 in April, and I'm looking forward to watching the tach through my bifocals!