Keeping it original?

[cairopd1069]

I bought a 66 Coronet 2dr HT that is supposed to be matching numbers, I have not verified that yet as I just pulled the motor and trans out today and have not checked the numbers. The car was originally a dark red but I wanted to paint it a bright red. Why you may ask? My wife's dad died when she was only 12 and he had a 67 Satellite that he drove on the street and raced on the strip. I am kind of building the car for her. How much difference does it make in value if the color is changed and everything else is original? That would only come in to consideration if the motor matches the car, if it does not then it will be irrelevant about the paint.

 

[mattsmopars]

No VIN stamps on the engine or the trans to tie them the car prior to 1968. In 1968 they started to put the partial vin stamping on the block and the transmissions. As best you can do on a 67 and back cars is to have date correct parts close to the build date of the car. You did not say what engine the car came with , but unless it's a hemi car I say build it how you want it.
Matt

 

[WP29440SE]

sounds like you wont sell it anyway , do with it what you want , that's what it is all about

 

[cairopd1069]

It looks like a 318 Poly, thanks for the info on the numbers, I would have spent all day trying to figure out whether they matched or not.

 

[tallhair]

I wouldn't worry about it. If it's for your wife make sure it runs and drive every time she starts it and she'll love and brag on you forever for giving her her dream car.

It doesn't matter what engine you put in it or what color you paint it as far as value goes ... the value will be in the feeling she has about the car .. and if you have to sell it you can really do no wrong as long as it looks good and runs and drives reliably.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Considering what it is (non-hemi/ultra rarity) and the value it could potentially have to you and yours sentimentally, I vote build it how you want! Very cool of you to think of her and end up with an awesome car you can enjoy together. And besides, as far as monetary value goes, a quality build will go a long way whether it's OE restoration or not. Just my two pennies!

 

[Cranky]

Build the car the way you want it and don't worry about what the value of it is. So long as it's valuable to you, then you're good.

 

[cairopd1069]

Well, it's official then, BRIGHT RED it will be!! Thanks for all the responses.

 

[monaco66coupe]

They are a great car! If it is a poly head then the bonus is it has heavier torsion bars for that heavy engine, as compared to the six or 273. So your front end can deal with a nice 383 or more. I put a 440 in mine, and the bars really hold up.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Some motivational pic's:icon_eyes:

 

[HT413]

If the car is for her to drive, I'd keep the poly and spend the money on things she would appreciate, such as look, feel, ride, and like mentioned before, reliability.

 

[conv67bdere]

Some motivational pic's:icon_eyes:

WOW . . . that's one sweet ride there Hemi-itis ! ! !

X3 ( or is that 4, 5, or 6 ... ) Do it the way you want it so you'll enjoy it ! ! Then drive it like it's stolen ! ! ! ( smile )

 

[soundhd]

I say make it "yours". Change anything you want to change BUT......keep all the original parts in case somewhere down the line you (or the next owner) will want to bring it back to original.

 

[cairopd1069]

I found the build sheet under the rear seat between the springs and the burlap material. It was brittle and some was missing, but I think I was able to see the important things so I logged that info. I will keep the pieces so if a future buyer wants to see it, they can.

 

[HT413]

Just a thought, but do you have any pix of her dad's car or does she remember any specific custom pieces that he might have installed himself?? Maybe build it with some of those details or even build it as a modern take on what you think he might have put in it.

Here's an idea, get a couple bottles of wine and reminisce about it one night and get every little detail you can, because those are the important ones. Did he have anything hanging from the mirror? Column or floor shifter? What did the floor mats look like? What did it smell like? Did he have fuzzy dice or one of those smelly tree air fresheners hanging somewhere?

For instance, my uncle used to have a 66 GTO with an automatic floor shifter with the big ol aluminum housing. Used to drive us around to car shows in that thing all the time, well he passed years ago and so I just picked up a B&M pro ratchet shifter so every time I shift i think about those old times.

 

[cairopd1069]

I agree, making memories is more important than originality.

 

[tallhair]

Just a thought, but do you have any pix of her dad's car or does she remember any specific custom pieces that he might have installed himself?? Maybe build it with some of those details or even build it as a modern take on what you think he might have put in it.

Here's an idea, get a couple bottles of wine and reminisce about it one night and get every little detail you can, because those are the important ones. Did he have anything hanging from the mirror? Column or floor shifter? What did the floor mats look like? What did it smell like? Did he have fuzzy dice or one of those smelly tree air fresheners hanging somewhere?

For instance, my uncle used to have a 66 GTO with an automatic floor shifter with the big ol aluminum housing. Used to drive us around to car shows in that thing all the time, well he passed years ago and so I just picked up a B&M pro ratchet shifter so every time I shift i think about those old times.

Excellent advice HT !

 

[mmissile]

If it's for your wife...ask her what she wants. My wife wanted a Gremlin. She has one.