Classic vs Restomod

[GCorvette]

Should a C3 be left as it departed the factory as a Classic or tastefully made individual as a Restomod?
Genuinely curious to read people's views on this although naturally views are subjective, but what do you think?

 

[Nassau65]

I like both, but tend to lean on the side of standard.

 

[Roscobbc]

Like both but prefer to be right in the middle - so stock interior and bodywork, but perhaps change wheels, exhaust, hood and other odd incidentals that can very simply be returned to stock if so desired wheels, exhaust.

 

[GCorvette]

View attachment 15908 Like both but prefer to be right in the middle - so stock interior and bodywork, but perhaps change wheels, exhaust, hood and other odd incidentals that can very simply be returned to stock if so desired wheels, exhaust.

As an aside, are the insurance company funny about having numbers on the car?

 

[Roscobbc]

As an aside, are the insurance company funny about having numbers on the car?

Numbers are not on the car now - but didn't inform the insurers when they were present. Never had a issue with them. Some have said that it is illegal to display race numbers on road vehicles and that legally one needs to 'cross out' the number when on the road. Being as the numbers were not actually 'official' race numbers (typically on a circular background) my logic was that I was OK in that respect. (Perhaps others know better?)

 

[Chuffer]

I like both too as the C3 shape lends itself very well to mods as long as they are not totally OTT . But then I would wouldn`t I ??

 

[GCorvette]

I like both too as the C3 shape lends itself very well to mods as long as they are not totally OTT . But then I would wouldn`t I ?? View attachment 15909

Did you do your own modifications or buy the car completed?

 

[Chuffer]

Numbers are not on the car now - but didn't inform the insurers when they were present. Never had a issue with them. Some have said that it is illegal to display race numbers on road vehicles and that legally one needs to 'cross out' the number when on the road. Being as the numbers were not actually 'official' race numbers (typically on a circular background) my logic was that I was OK in that respect. (Perhaps others know better?)

It will be interesting to hear an official take on this . Afterall , there are an aweful lot of road legal race cars about .

 

[Chuffer]

Did you do your own modifications or buy the car completed?

Bought as is with engine swap to 1985 Camaro IROC - Z engine swap , Edelbrock Torker 2 inlet manifold , modded exhaust , gas shox and I swapped out the tired 750 cfm Holley for a 65 cfm Edelbrock carb.

 

[Oneball]

Numbers are not on the car now - but didn't inform the insurers when they were present. Never had a issue with them. Some have said that it is illegal to display race numbers on road vehicles and that legally one needs to 'cross out' the number when on the road. Being as the numbers were not actually 'official' race numbers (typically on a circular background) my logic was that I was OK in that respect. (Perhaps others know better?)

Most regulations for race, hillclimb, rallying etc say the numbers must be removed when not competing and on the public highway. Don’t think it’s illegal though.

 

[Chuffer]

Most regulations for race, hillclimb, rallying etc say the numbers must be removed when not competing and on the public highway. Don’t think it’s illegal though.

I think this might be a Motorsports UK ( The old MSA ) thing so as not to confuse Joe Public into thinking there is a `road race` going on . Probably a grey area with no legal backing as you say .

 

[johng]

I like both. Originally I was going to restore mine back to to the way it left the factory, but then changed my mind and decided that I would prefer a car that was unique and how I liked it.

 

[Oneball]

The thing I don’t like on most retro mods is the low profile tyres, they just don’t look right, be it a Mustang, Corvette or a pick up.

 

[Vetman]

I think it might depend on how special or desirable the car is in factory condition. An early Vette with a high performance engine option is probably better left original. More vanilla cars can be modified without much thought to value or desecration. My 75 is modified in many ways without much change to appearance but intended to improve performance. I try to only do reversible mods and keep the old parts in case sometime in the future another owner wants to return it to 165 bhp and full smog suffocation.

Series changes to the exterior appearance in shape or colour schemes tend to obliterate the beautiful lines of the car.

 

[James Vette]

People think restomod means fitting ugly modern rims and LED gauges.

 

[Chuffer]

The thing I don’t like on most retro mods is the low profile tyres, they just don’t look right, be it a Mustang, Corvette or a pick up.

Have to agree with you there .

 

[Letank]

I like both too.

As others have said, I also think something in between the two options is perhaps the best of both worlds.

An original car with aftermarket wheels and side pipes could easily be returned to original if you ever decided to sell it. Also worth considering that originality generally equals value when it comes to collectible classics, so being able to return to standard would be a benefit if you ever sold it.

 

[Mad4slalom]

The thing I don’t like on most retro mods is the low profile tyres, they just don’t look right, be it a Mustang, Corvette or a pick up.

I dont mind the oversize wheels with slightly lower aspect ratio tyres, what I dont like are excessively lowered vehicles where the wheels are no longer concentric within the wheelarches .

 

[Forrest Gump]

I think it might depend on how special or desirable the car is in factory condition. An early Vette with a high performance engine option is probably better left original. More vanilla cars can be modified without much thought to value or desecration. My 75 is modified in many ways without much change to appearance but intended to improve performance. I try to only do reversible mods and keep the old parts in case sometime in the future another owner wants to return it to 165 bhp and full smog suffocation.

Series changes to the exterior appearance in shape or colour schemes tend to obliterate the beautiful lines of the car.

I'm exactly with you on that one Vetman.
My car is also a 75 (supposedly the least desirable year?) and is almost entirely standard looking externally...but open up the hood and it is very modified.
The motor is stroked 383 and has no GM components except the block itself.
There is no vacuum system - lights are electric motor operated.
No heater system either which has really opened up the engine bay. I can remove the passenger side header with only the plug leads needing to be detached!
Electric radiator fan means the front of the engine is clutter free too.
The suspension is modified too with stiffer springs and ARB's, shocks and composite spring.
I guess I'm more into messing around with the mechanicals than the visuals. I think most people do prefer a standard car and accept that my car could be difficult to sell to the majority of people looking to buy.

 

[Custom exotics]

So doing this to a chrome bumper c3 is not right this is also running an ls engine and tremec 5 speed now as well