What would YOU do with this car?

[lowmile]

I've posted a pic of this car before but I'll attach it again. It is a 1970 6cyl, 3 on the tree 5700 mile Hugger Orange Nova nice original paint,tires,shocks,int etc. I know a few members have seen it in person. I believe it's probaby in the top ten(?) in the country as far as unrestored novas. I purchased it and have an aluminum head big block and m-22 ready to install to make it look like a COPO. I was going to do another sub-frame and just roll the old out and the new in and not touch anything I don't have to. I haven't been able to do it. I love original old cars and don't know what to do. I have very little interest in keeping it if it with the 6 banger but I hate to mess with such an original car. I have 2 kids one one the way. I can't afford the real deal yet so I make and sell a few lookalikes just so I get to spend a little time as close as I can get to a real supercar for now.(i DON'T try and make exact clones anyone with half a brain would know the difference in one of my cars) my question is... what would you do? thanks, Mark

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sell it.

They are only original once, so if you put another frame, engine, etc... into it with the intention of putting it back some day, you have made changes. Then the car is no longer the same car that GM delivered to a little dealership in Texas.

Just my $.02 [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[TimG]

It would be tempting to put a 427 in it, but I would leave it original.

[Chevy454]

How about a friendly little poll?[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Stefano]

Mark,
The answer to your question depends on what you want out of the car. It sounds like you are not happy with the original GM equipment. I doesn't sound like you will get your grins cruising around with a three in the tree 6 banger.

The current market value may also help you to decide. If you sell it, will the $$$$s it brings get you closer to your ultimate goal?

I hold originality in very high regard, but in this case since the car is not rare and holds no special historical significance then I personally would put in a Super Car(look) drive train, such as a Motion Phase III L88 M20 and 4.56 12 Bolt.

The fun I would have with the car would far outway any remorse I might encounter for altering its originality.

I would venture to say that if done correctly while still maintaining as much originality as possible that the Nova would be more marketable and that you would be able to get the cost, both parts and labor over and above todays market value as it sits.

Just my opinion [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img]

[CopoCrunkus]

Mark,
While the Nova may not be a "Supercar", It is a Rare car in the sense of the mileage and condition it's in. I had the same choice with my 66 Chevelle...22k Miles "Oldlady" car. I opted to upgrade it and have loved every minute of it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] Either way that is a wonderful example !! Just my .02cents

-Frank

[AutoInsane]

Tough question.....

What is the car worth even as a low mile car? Probably not too much...

I am usually an advocate of keeping things original, but I dont think you will get a good price if you sell it. I would put in the engine that you want to and have one beautiful look alike car.(I dont like to use the word clone, it insinuates deception)

I wonder if 10 years from now someone will be asking if this car is a Real Yenko or some other product from the 60's.......

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I think the real value to this car is it's reference aspects, which is why I would suggest that you sell it rather than modify it. This car is one of those cars that needs to be preserved so that we always have a point of reference. I know it was used by several of us who have restored gen. 2 Novas. I wouldn't touch it, if I could afford it I'd make you an offer [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I almost bought this car from Bushey and was going to send it to Joel Rosen. He said yes, then renigged because it was a 6-cylinder car and he implied the transformation would be cost prohibitive. Would have been a hell of a ride! Wayne used this car as a reference when he restored my orange deuce. I can see both sides.

[69L89396]

I would modify it and have some fun without thinking about taking a high dollor car out tearing something up. You can always keep the original drive train to offer when it is sold. Why keep a "plain jane" car that doesn't apperciate very much original when you can enjoy it in a modified form?
You can probility see a return on the investment better in a modified form than original.
Just my 2 cents