Looking for some thoughts/insight on my JL8 resto

[Jeff H]

I'm ready to have the shop finish up the restoration on my 69 Z28 JL8 Camaro and I have all the Trans Am type race parts but I think it would be better off to finish the car back to bone stock original. I have been in contact with the original owner on Camaros.net and he has given me some great information. I have the crossram parts, the original GM fiberglass crossram hood, the Stahl headers that look like the 67-69 style headers, the Minilite wheels, TI stuff, radio delete, heater delete, off-road cam, etc. I originally wanted to restore it like you could have ordered a JL8 car and "built" it for racing, but going back to stock seems like a better idea. It's all #'s matching with POP and broadcast sheet as well. Just wondering how most of you would finish off this project.

[Charley Lillard]

As a prior owner I know it is the real deal and a great car that if it were mine I would put back to stock. How many years ago did you get that from me ?

[RamAirDave]

Myself, I would build it in race trim, especially since you already have the parts. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[tom406]

Its sounds real and right, so I think going back to stock is an easy choice. The SCCA parts are cool, but would be better served going onto a '69 Z w/ actual SCCA race history, don't you think? Both from a monetary and historical standpoint.

[rspanther]

A car with all of the original parts and paper work I would go back to stock . There are alot of cars that do not have all of its original parts that would be great to put all of the race goodies onto and have just as much fun .You have to have something to work on when this one is done http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
David

[RamAirDave]

Are you looking to build something different/cool, or are you basing it strictly financially (resale) ?

The #s, BBS, POP won't change regardless of how it's built, just depends on what you want and your plans for the car when it's done.

[drdave69]

Stock would be my choice and you could fund some of the work with the sale of those cool race parts.

[TDW]

Stock. When the time comes to sell it, there will be more interested buyers looking for a factory stock one than a TA style. Glad you are getting it done. When I came to this board a handful of years ago you were in the process of restoring it.

[m22mike]

I like RamAirDave's idea too. Those Mini Light wheels would be killer on that car.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Mike http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[njsteve]

Which way would make you happier and enjoy the car more?

I would follow the old adage that I saw on a bumper sticker: What would Jesus do?

I think he would want you to build it as it was meant to be - with all the neat vintage speed parts.

They are all essentially bolt-ons. It seems like the only thing that would be a body mod would be the hood. Get a steel regular hood and have that painted at the same time you do the rest of the car. Then when the time comes to revert to "born again" condition it would be just a weekend of unbolting the speed parts.

Sorry to go all biblical on you there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Stefano]

Build it the way you will enjoy it the most.

[SmallHurst]

What the distinguished gentlemen from Il and NJ have stated!!!! Its your car, you get to play with it until you decide it is time for something different!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[169indy]

Take the path of least resistance ($$) and FINISH the thing the way that gives you the most pride & pleasure.
Enjoy the car
The right way IS your way!
I can see it either method, it seems you have had this project for years and the finished product will be stunning with or without the candy corn on top.
Dig that HUGGER orange

not much help,,,,,I like the bolt on, bolt off easy way out,,
Jim

Completely stock. I'll be over in Ewing tommorrow to pick the rest of the parts up!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
Just kidding I say put it in race trim. You can always take the parts back off.

[markinnaples]

As long as any changes you make aren't irreversible without damaging the car, I say go race trim.

[Steve Shauger]

I am a purist so I generally prefer cars the way they left the factory. In your case you bought those parts because of their racing heritage and appeal. On the assumption you're planning on keeping the car, build it the way you envisioned it, in bada** racing form.


You have spent close to ten years getting this car done...do it your way. I would say if your plan it to have the car judged at the concours level, stock is the way to go.

Willl the car be finished for the Camaro National @ Carlisle this June?

[Jeff H]

[ QUOTE ]
As a prior owner I know it is the real deal and a great car that if it were mine I would put back to stock. How many years ago did you get that from me ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Think back to Y2K, that's how long ago! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I know most of the parts can be removed somewhat easily, it would be the heater delete stuff that would be the biggest pain to deal with. I'm pretty sure I'm going back to stock since I still have the original flat hood and the crossram hood I will have both painted to match up to the car.

I was never worried about judging so that's not an issue for me. I wanted something different and that's why I bought the first JL8 and then had to sell it due to lack of funds. I bought this one because I regretted selling the other one. But now, I really don't see me buying a truck and trailer to haul it around so who knows. I figured it might be a pretty good split and I appreciate everyone's thoughts, there is no wrong opinion in this situation.

[Charley Lillard]

Flat hood will look great. Nobody does flat hoods. They all have cowl hoods and crossrams.

[ChevyThunder]

[ QUOTE ]
Flat hood will look great. Nobody does flat hoods. They all have cowl hoods and crossrams.

[/ QUOTE ]

What he said

[RamAirDave]

[ QUOTE ]
Flat hood will look great. Nobody does flat hoods.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nobody? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Last three first gens we've done were flat-hood cars. Love 'em http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[bkhpah]

Nobody? The flat hood Z/28 cars we restored left that way too...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Charley Lillard]

OK...that's two of you...feel better ?

[TDW]

Jeff...Are you doing the assembly of the car or are you paying to have it done? If you are paying, think about paying them twice if you go the non-stock route. You may get it done, decide you want stock afterall, and then you will pay again for the changes. Or vice-versa, if you go stock to begin with.

[firstgenaddict]

The X77 I'm doing right now is a flat hood with no spoilers.

[firstgenaddict]

BTW... Jeff do it as a showroom resto then DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

[musclecarjohn]

race trim... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

stock is boring and has been done,you will never tire of the racelook:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/DSC04917.jpg

[1967Z28]

My vote is for stock, flat hood and no spoilers. Cowl hood, spoilers and even cross rams have been done to death.

-Jon

[njsteve]

On second thought, Jeff you should convert it to the uber-ultra rare JL8-delete option with 4-wheel drums and a single 2bbl carb on a Cal Custom adapter plate. I will donate my original Cal Custom "surfer's foot" gas pedal to the cause.

Who else is with me here! Lets start donating cheezy 1970's stuff to this project. Who's got the Yosemite Sam "back-off" multi-colored mudflaps and the artificial leather-like steering wheel wrap? How about the bright orange shag carpeting? I'd loan you my original Florida "Arrive Stoned" front license plate but I'm using it at the moment. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[TDW]

I have some killer "ass,grass, or gas" stickers to donate. An old CCR 8 track tape too.

[firstgenaddict]

I'll send a CB and Bullwhip antenna...

[budnate]

I have a old pair of the red bullet running lights that go on the back of the traction bars... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Jeff H]

HaHa, no Yosemite Sam mudflaps! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif It will get the original flat hood if I go back to stock. Here's a picture from 1974 and I still have that Calif black plate with the car and the dealer plate surround.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/403239-Jan74-1.jpg

[njsteve]

Cool vintage photo!

[RamAirDave]

Were the cameras back then difficult to aim? Seems like the car is cut off in many of the vintage pics. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif


[ QUOTE ]
OK...that's two of you...feel better ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, Chuckles. I feel much better now http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[169indy]

Yes the C-120 ? point and shoots often had misalignment between the view finder and the lens, and that funny black cloth HOOD got in the photog's way often!
Don't even get these old timers started about the flash powder!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif