1964 C2 Corvette old Motion Performance Custom

[longbros]

I recently purchased a 64 Corvette that was customized a long time ago using custom fiberglass parts sold by Motion Performance, and I would like to know if anyone else has a C2 with these custom components installed? If there are other vehicles out there that were customized with these components, I would like to exchange pictures and information with the owners.

I have corresponded with the Joel Rosen who was the head of Motion, and he has verified that the custom components on my 64 were sold thru their showroom and catalog. He said although these items were never used on any of the Baldwin Motion new cars, they were installed on some customs they did.

The custom pieces consist of a shark nose, front spoiler, custom hood, and front and rear fender flares. If you have a C2 with these custom pieces, please contact me.

This NOM 64 is in need of total restoration, and my original idea was to take it back to factory original, but I am now leaning towards restoring it back to its original customized glory. Any thoughts?

[Pantera]

I think you should go back stock. The hood looks like a Ecklers to me. That is a '69 427 L-88 style center on a stock 64 hood. I had one just like it on a 63 that I raced in SCCA. I am not trying to hurt your feelings but, I think you would find it would not bring big money as a custom even with the questionable Motion parts link.

Unless you can find positive proof via bills of sale for the parts and/or Motion's own body shop having done the work it would not in my opinion be considered a true motion car. One other way would be old pic from that era showing it customized and that date back then.

I hope that someone on here will step forward and say that they reconize it from years ago. You may have a hard road to go with it if someone doesn't come along.

Hope you don't mind the frank words. There are so many guys come on here wanting so bad to have a MOTION car in some way. We tend to be a little hard nosed with out good paperwork or other proof. I hope you understand? Nothing personal intended or infered for sure.

No mater what you decide I want you to know that it could be a neat looking car as a custom. You have some big $$$$ ahead of you either way you go. Let me wish you the best of luck which ever you decide. Don't get discouraged and Keep us informed on your progress either way.



Pantera

[longbros]

Thanks so much for the input. The hood is nothing like an Ecklers that I have seen. It is not just a L-88 center that someone added to a stock 64 hood. It is all one piece and the underside doesn't look like any I have seen, although I have not looked at that many.

I am certain about the Motion Performance nose. I have seen a NOS Motion performance nose just like it on Ebay. I have provided the Ebay acution link below. I sent both the photo of the vehicle and the photo of the NOS nose to Joel, and he commented as noted above. I also have a photo copy of a motion catalog listing the pieces, but have not seen any catalog pictures.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7949450556

I know that this is not a "Motion car", as indicated by Joel, but I feel pretty certain that at least the nose is Motion, and possibly the hood, flares, and spoiler. I agree, more research is in order and more proof, that is one reason I submitted this post.

I have at least one name of a previous owner, and know of two different states the vehicle was registered in, so I have some leads and homework to do. I am just getting started.

No problem with the frank words, I completely understand. There are a lot of bogus and clone vehicles out there. I have restored many vehicles before, so understand the big $$$$ issue. It is easy to get discouraged with a project like this because it will take a long time, but that has never been a problem for me.

I do hope someone will know this vehicle and come forward with some information. Thanks again for your input and insight.

[55chevy]

I'll chime in... I wouldn't doubt it being Motion sold parts on your car.. But we gotta start being realistic.. Motion Performance ie Joel Rosen was in business for a long time (mid 1960s thru late 1980s-early 90s??) And sold A LOT of stuff from every automotive spectrum throughout the years... but it seems a lot of people these days seem to think that ANYTHING with "motion" on it is super rare and worth tons of money.. and it really isn't... case in point.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...002947&rd=1 ... a Baldwin/Motion washer?????
That'll add about 400hp.. ............ There are RARE "Motion" items.. The BALDWIN/Motion cars modified NEW at Motion and sold NEW through Baldwin Chevrolet with a warranty.. Cars like Marks '68 Phase III L88 427 Camaro and Larrys '70 Phase III GT LS7 454 Vette and Dan's '73 Phase III LS6 454 Camaro...etc. THOSE are "rare" and worth the big bucks... but when I see a common part worth $3 to 100 bucks fought over to some rediculous price in the hundreds of hundreds just because it has an old Motion mail order sales receipt or a sticker on the package... that just makes me think things are getting out of hand these days... Anyone else feeling the same?

[djunod]

Realistic went out the window a long time ago...

[djunod]

Do you enjoy the car the way it is?

Do you go to cruise-in's or car shows?

Do you want to become a part of the factory lineup or do you want to show something truly interesting?

For me it is so very boring to go to a cruise-in or "show" and just see a bunch of old cars that have been faithfully restored to the way they came from the factory... and then hear everybody nit-picking about this or that part not being correct for your year of vehicle.

I grew up in an era when a car show was a *** CAR SHOW ***. It was so much more exciting thing. People need to get back to having a little more show & style.

Nowadays it is just some big investment scam.

[GM-26]

[ QUOTE ]
I grew up in an era when a car show was a *** CAR SHOW ***. It was so much more exciting thing. People need to get back to having a little more show & style.

Nowadays it is just some big investment scam.

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="red">Exactly!!!</font>

[longbros]

Perhaps it would help if I make my position more clear. When I purchased this 64 Corvette, it was because I wanted a mid year to restore and have fun with. I have spent my entire life in the car hobby, and have restored a bunch of vehicles all back to stock, show winners. I have done meets, shows, tours, judging, etc. Now, at 55, I am not sure how many more vehicles I am going to do, and I am thinking that maybe I will just do this one for fun. I didn't even know about the "Motion" stuff until I saw the Motion nose on Ebay and realized that my new project had that nose. So then, I started the research on this site and others. I wanted to be careful to preserve any history.
This vehicle is a NOM 64 Corvette that will never be a high $$$ numbers matching vehicle. I knew that when I bought it. This vehicle is not a high $$$ "Motion" vehicle. But, I have discovered that this vehicle is a bit unique because it was modified with Motion Performance parts. How unique, I am not sure, so that is why I asked for anyone with a vehicle like this to come forward.

It would be nice, that when I am done with the restoration, that the vehicle be worth more than I have in it. I doubt it will go that way, but for myself and others, it isn't just about the money. I do this because I love old vehicles, I enjoy the challenge of the restoration and research, I enjoy learning new skills, and I enjoy meeting great people along the way. I am not after trophys, I have done that. I will take the car to shows and cruise in's and have a good time. When finished, it will be an eye catching, blast to drive piece of automotive, Corvette, and Motion history. It is not just about the money.
Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">What I don't understand in this 'NEW' crave for rare cars is:
How can the '67 427 'Vette that sold at Barrett-Jackson 3-4 years ago for $45K,
sell for $125K now??? It's the same car, not some rare find, &amp; it was purchased to sell again &amp; again.
I'm sorry, but in my opinion, Barrett-Jackson has lost the magic.

A Barris 1 of 1 is a different story , but what can you do with that 'Vette .... wait to sell it again?.
(very few will drive them after spending $125K.)

I could have restored my car, but then I would have to sell it
('cause someone would have offered me 'stupid' money for it).
I'd much rather have the car, with the history, &amp; still build it my way.
Much more of a conversation piece &amp; I will not be scared to drive it.</font>

(the above comment is strictly the opinion of "MotionCamaro" &amp; not to be related to the operators of this site)

[whitetop]

I say restore the car just like you found it. Add some new cragars and side pipes and keep the car '70's looking.

If you restore it to stock it wil just look like all the other ones at a show.