Just a thought-- take it easy

[Trophyman]

I see a trend that worries me. Please take this as it is meant. I completely stripped a 62 Impala SS that was perfect. It was 6 years old and I was 16. Big bad racer ya know. 283 PG, AC and every other option you can think of. Buckets, console, PS, PB. Damn.
I HAD to go drag racing! Stripped everthing. Interior, AC, all of it. Raced in PS/MA at Lions drag strip. Did pretty well too. Later put a 4 speed in it. Sold all the take off stuff so I could buy parts. Well a year later I got married to my bride and the car was history. Guy that bought it ripped it open and put the motor in an old boat he had. Sold some parts off and crushed it.
Now-----are we doing the same to the finite number of Chevelles that are left. 502-700 CID 6 speeds. Rear ends. Complete suspension change outs.
Will my Grandkids have any stock or at least near stock Chevelles in 20-25 years? I'm worried. A large majority of the "Racing" Chevelles will not be around then. I built a 36 Ford 3 window. Left a lot of it stock. It's still here and it is 74 years old. What will a racing Chevelle look like or perform like when it is 74? Take a 70. In 34 years it will be 74. In the year 2044!!!
Do you think they'll last?
I am just suggesting that we take a step back and think, that's all.
I don't want to fight or offend friends or be flames to death.
But do you at least see my point?
Thanks for listening.
Randy

[grandsport]

I agree with you Randy,I like an original type car.But thats me,always did,always will. I have never bought a set of custom wheels in my life,no custom touches etc. Maybe I'm just boring. But on the other hand I can appreciate all the time and effort other people put in their cars to personalize them for their own enjoyment and taste.

If anyone gives you any crap,have them come see me,Randy.

[grumpy]

I appreciate cars in all different forms.

[Hank70SS]

I know what your saying but a lot of the changes are good improvements and aren't just for racing. Even the ones that are raced, most are well maintained. They won't be stock in another 34 years but they'll probably still be around. Of course there will be some number of them that remain pretty much stock.

[Derek69SS]

Mine would have been scrapped if I hadn't saved it, so I feel no guilt about beating the hell out of it every weekend.

[Rank]

Compare the Chevelle and "trends" to the Model A .... can anyone guess how man model As were used in demolition/japlopy derbys or hotrodded but even with all the "natural elimination" it is still no problem finding a restored "parade" car.

I say if you own it build it to what suits you .... just dont let it sit idle and rot .... hoarders do more damage to this hobby than anything.

[Ms Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Rank

Compare the Chevelle and "trends" to the Model A .... can anyone guess how man model As were used in demolition/japlopy derbys or hotrodded but even with all the "natural elimination" it is still no problem finding a restored "parade" car.

I say if you own it build it to what suits you .... just dont let it sit idle and rot .... hoarders do more damage to this hobby than anything.

I totally agree that there are some people who hang onto every little part, and will never let them go. And it makes it very difficult for those of who need the part to "restore" their Chevelle, and can't find it. So what is the alternative? Replacement parts, some made in the US but most are usually made in a foreign country. But most end up building it into whatever their "dream is" for their car.

Now will their be any "original Chevelles" left in another 25 years? I hope and think so. Will anyone be able to afford to own them? Maybe people with an endless supply of money.

For me, years ago financially I should have sold the Chevelle to pay some bills, but I couldn't and didn't. Now, is my Chevelle all original, no, but it is a piece of my family and will continue to be til the day I die. I just hope that there are alot of people who think that way.

Just my thoughts...
Nancy

[Trophyman]

Good discussion. I have to agree with all of you.
It is a good thing to do your car as you like. That is why I like this site so much. We can trade ideas and thoughts like adults.
Good thing.

Randy

[Derek69SS]

I still have all the numbers matching stuff I pulled from my car, but to be honest, once there's an LS1 and 6-speed in it, I don't forsee any point in the future where it would be more appealing with the 250hp 2bbl 350 w/ TH350 back in it. If I needed the space, I'd sell off the original parts without any remorse.

[grumpy]

With ours it was just a "Malibu" and had very little original, unless you call the rust original

It was not the smartest sinking what we did in to it, but its our car, done our way. It only had to make us happy, and it has