1967 barracuda fastback resto or mod?

The way I look at it is this - if you are going to spend the blood,sweat,tears, and $$$ on a restoration, make sure you'll be happy with the finished project. Are you going to regret going to every car show driving around in a stock-resto car that doesn;t necessarily look as cool as some of the other modded rides? Are you going to be unhappy with a smaller stock displacement motor with less power? What do YOU want to do?

I regard to originality, a car can always be put back the way it was if you retain the parts. Plus, although a nice car, the original 273 combo will never be worth the prices of the real 340 or BB cars.

If it were me, I'd set the original block and tranny aside and build a 340 or 360. At the end of the day I wouldn't be dissapointed that some Civic or Mustang blew my doors off because I'd have power to go with the image of muscle. But that's what's important to me - to be able to back up the image of vintage muscle. I'm just not a big fan of small displacement, small power, "muscle" cars.

PS - I'm sure someone will say it - you can also spend a bit more on the engine and mod the 273 to make decent power.

PPS - in regard to the paint - paint it the color you want. It will make ZERO difference in value if you change the color from white. it can alwyas be re-painted, and white isn't a special, desirable color for collectors.