What is more satisfying

[watk69]

Long time lurker here, but now in the position to chase a dream. 69 Z/28 has always been a fave. My quandary is, what is more satisfying to own as something to have a lot of pride in? A real Z with original drivetrain that accessories have been added like headers, non original things but still OEM replacements like fan, carb, wiring harness, shifter and an enjoyable driver, or a 100% documented original with M22 that is a 99 point out of a 100 car that is a trailer queen first driver 2nd

I've been down a similar road before, nice driver and looker, however drivetrain not born with. I was never happy with it. This driver has at least the big matching 3 but not heirloom like the other one. There is 35k difference between the two. How do you guys approach when contemplating a centerpiece car?

[firstgenaddict]

If your enjoyment is cruising and driving then go with the driver if your enjoyment comes from winning trophies and showing the car go with the show car.

Personally...

For a centerpiece I look for something that is unique, either through high performance and rarity or through high performance and originality.

If there is a 35k difference then I am assuming your top end car to be approx 75-85k+ so lets assume you have a top budget of 85k.
50k+ you can buy a survivor that you won't not feel bad about driving and people will flock to where ever you take it, for 85k+ you can buy an extremely nice survivor Z28 or L78.

[novadude]

It's all personal preference, but for me, I like drivers. I have a great appreciation for guys that are preserving history with perfect matching numbers cars and all the right parts. I love to see them at shows. However, I would be too worried about a perfect original to go out and drive it like it was meant to be driven. What fun is owning a musclecar if you are too worried about hurting the value to drive it hard and powershift the Muncie at 6000 RPM once in a while? For this reason, even numbers-matching drivetrain stuff isn't that important to me.

Everyone enjoys this hobby in different ways, and there is room for all. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[markinnaples]

As stated, what are your plans for it?

A. Attending shows and sitting and watching folks walk by looking at how nice your car is, then loading it up into the trailer for the next weekend's show, or:

B. Driving it to cruise nights, more or less regularly exercising it out for drives and dinner, etc.?

[watk69]

Probably somewhere in between as far as shows/cruising. I live in Flagstaff and do a lot of Rte 66 stuff when the weather is nice. In the winter, I'll store it at my buddy's house in Scottsdale and do a lot of Cars N Coffee/ Pavillions type shows with it during Barrett Jackson Phoenix Open season.

My deal is, it would be nice to own one the way it was designed/made, but those are really rare. I don't like &quot;oh f*#K, look what they did here&quot; either in my own mind or comments from &quot;experts&quot; at shows

I guess I'm talking myself into the more expensive car but still running the heck out of it if I choose

[Thomas]

I have a 39,000 mile L78 &quot;stripper&quot;.
It has been painted once and a cowl hood and spoiler were added at that time.
It also sports a set if 14x6 front and 14x7 rear Cal Custom 5-spokes, which have been on the car forever. (I do have all 5 original 14x7 steel wheels)

The original 396 block was replaced with a 427, some time in the late '70s or early '80s.
Externally, the engine looks totally stock, especially with a an original cowl induction air cleaner to match the added hood.

The car far from perfect, but it is unrestored, still has &quot;roach burn&quot; marks in the front seats and is exactly what I wanted in high school.

When I find the time to drive it, it is my &quot;time machine&quot;

As much as I can appreciate a &quot;perfectly restored&quot; car, such as the guys at Supercar Workshop turn out, my preference will always be for something which I can drive and enjoy.

[Salvatore]

You hit the nail on the head Clifton. By the nicest one you can afford but do NOT be afraid to drive it to shows, out for a newspaper or to church on Sunday.
I am a no lawn ornament type of guy. Much more rewarding to drive, cleanup and then drive and cleanup again.
You also live in a very non threatning area for cars to be driven in.
Buy the nice one and then drive it for some fun and therapy.

[Jim Ferron]

I'm sure it's different for everybody right? I own a smorgasbord of cars in a smorgasbord of conditions from #1 restoration to presentable drivers and everything in between... My favorite are cars with patina...unrestored, the 'way they were' kinda cars...and I've noticed that the right 'day 2 patina machine' will often draw the biggest crowd..the trailer queens have seemingly run their course..at least for now...

[EZ Nova]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: watk69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Long time lurker here, but now in the position to chase a dream. 69 Z/28 has always been a fave. My quandary is, what is more satisfying to own as something to have a lot of pride in? A real Z with original drivetrain that accessories have been added like headers, non original things but still OEM replacements like fan, carb, wiring harness, shifter and an enjoyable driver, or a 100% documented original with M22 that is a 99 point out of a 100 car that is a trailer queen first driver 2nd

I've been down a similar road before, nice driver and looker, however drivetrain not born with. I was never happy with it. This driver has at least the big matching 3 but not heirloom like the other one. There is 35k difference between the two. How do you guys approach when contemplating a centerpiece car? </div></div>

It's YOUR $$$ and if you pay for it, IT'S YOUR CAR. Do what you want. Me personally would drive ANYTHING. I don't care if it's a 427 SOHC motor that YENKO put in a Vega AS THE ONLY ONE ever and I would also race it at events! That is me. I can afford some of these &quot;supercars&quot; @ $150K+ and if I were to purchase I would drive it the same as any other car. It's my $$$ that I used to buy it, I own it, and therefore I would do what I felt like.

BUT I also wouldn't just take a 100 point car to trash in a demo derby either. But using a car for it's intended purpose is fine by me. I want a car that I can drive, and drive HARD if the felling comes over me. None of this it's original so I can't run it hard thinking for me.

I have been through the &quot;DAY 2&quot; style cars, then the all out, big $$$ race stuff and what I would say to you is this:

Buy the nicest one that catches your eye for what you want! IF it's a 100 point car, so be it. IF you want headers and cam and other stuff, just save the OEM equipment for when you want to change it back or sell with the OEM stuff still there to the next owner.

[earntaz]

If you can't drive it -- what good is it?!?

[m22mike]

I have enjoyed both worlds, got to restore some nice Cars, 69 Camaro Z28's and two COPO's and two L78's, Nova and Chevelle to trailer queen status, and when I am done they go away.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif..and I don't have to take care of them.
So I jump in Black Beauty and drive it like a rental, she's held up well, and there is the 69 Malibu W/air, that got a workout last year. So I have to give the edge to the drivers... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[earntaz]

Amen Mike!

[Lynn]

I spent a lot of time making my car near perfect.
Some friends couldn't believe I immediately started driving it.
Put some little bits of melted rubber on the quarter panels the first week.

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spent a lot of time making my car near perfect.
Some friends couldn't believe I immediately started driving it.
Put some little bits of melted rubber on the quarter panels the first week.
</div></div>

That's called enjoying your ride!! How can someone enjoy a car that sits in the garage or the only time it is on the road is in/on a trailer. I could never understand that. TAZ

[watk69]

Here is the deal on the &quot;driver&quot; for 58k it was auctioned off 2011 complete with cross ram in trunk, Goodyear repops, correct suspension and brakes for 44k, it is consigned now at a dealer who wants to squeeze me to pay extra for those same items now as separate items. I realize the dealer is in it to make some $$ for the consignor, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I'm going to pass, plus the fact the original block has 3 sleeves (led a hard life)

Trailer queen with no BS here I come, here's to picking rubber out the fender wells <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[markinnaples]

Great, post up some pics when you get it.