Taking another thread a step further I think there’s a lot of merit to the restomod-protouring theme with our cars. The further we move away from “the good old days” of raw muscle cars & get used to modern creature comforts of today’s vehicles driving an old classic isn’t as fun as what it once was which is why we are seeing people buy the new generation muscle cars or updating our old classics. I know there’s a section of purists who feel it’s best to leave these cars as they were built & I can see their point of view with some of these rare cars but not every old car is a one off factory ordered monster power no options kind of car. As I get my car ready to be shipped off to its new owner & gather all the parts I’ve purchased over the years I wonder where the line is for most folks on whether to make the car as close to factory as what it once was or to mod the car for driving enjoyment. I’m embarrassed to say the total (lack of) mileage I accumulated on the car I’ve had since 2008, I spent more times buying parts than driving it so my next car is going to be something I can throw the family in, hit the highway, possibly go to the track, start, stop & turn with while still at least appearing to be stock. One of the nicer examples of the vibe I’m looking for is below. Yes, it’s an LS motor but at least Pontiac’s came with one so no foul there IMO. https://www.southernmotors.com/Inventory/Details/4913 So what does everyone say, restomod or as the General made it?
I like to build my cars to suit me. It's neat for me to see a totally stock, factory original car (especially something rare like a GSX), and I respect them. But even if it's 1 of 2 ever made, it still means you have the exact same car as someone else. I don't like that for my own personal cars, I like mine to be a reflection of me. Plus, why do I want a car that handles, feels, and goes the same as everyone else's? I like my stuff faster, lower, better stopping, and better handling. Better looking is in the eye of the beholder, but my cars never got the attention they do now when they were stock. I drive my old stuff every single day.
I think if you have a numbers matching car it should stay that way or at least be able to go back. If you have a nothing special, common car then why not. The car you have shown is a good example it was not an original GTO but it is now dressed to be and may not have had an engine when they started. Another thing that drives me nuts is when someone will buy a mint 50000 mile 70s car then pull it all apart throw it away. Then cut the whole floor out of it to make a custom floor with tube chassis. I live where rust free cars are not everywhere. I have seen cars that have had the floor rotted out of them and would be a perfect candidate for doing that.
It's your car, do what you want with it. There's no sense in having a car that you don't drive because it's original or it doesn't perform or handle like you want.
I may be different, but i like the old stock floatyness of my skylark and the old "zero road feel" power steering, but did add manual disc brakes, a Tremec 5-speed, and a 455. These old cars were popular for a reason, and i drive it a lot as a "toy". I'll drive my newer car for other reasons, which may handle much better and can actually keep up in speed, but it's just is not as smooth or nearly fun as the Skylark. I even had poly suspension bushings in it at one time, but went back to the rubber bushings to soften the ride. It certainly won't win any autocrosses but i can drive it all day long. Whenever modifications are made, I always try not to cut it up so it can always go back to stock.
That LeMans is a great example for pro touring. As a 13 time Power Tour participant I see the value in the resto mods. Great performance from brakes, fuel system, sound system, cooling system, overdrive, Cold AC, superior handling, and all wrapped up in great looking vintage tin. None of my cars have overdrive yet but that and brake upgrades are on the list. The old body styles just have so much more character than the late model stuff. Get out and drive!
I am about to immerse myself into this new wagon. I will keep some things original but I am also going to make it driveable. Make it Mine. Not going to go crazy. Fresh 340 ready to go in. Purists will hate me. Wait for my paint... Metalflake anyone? Normal people will get it. I my family my dog will love it. Life is too short to try and please the masses.
Absolutely right, Pat. I'm looking at metalflake black cherry for my Wildcat after the motor is done. Throwing in (genuine) GS455 hood scoops because they are my favourite part of the smaller cars. It's already got twin deck aerials, Mexican low rider style. Just buying a Star Wars air cleaner off GSFred. Edelbrock ABS carb for simplicity and reliability and great running. And all it's MY taste. I'd never do that to a mint original Wildcat. But then, my car has had a lot of owners, it had a cheap 1980s right hand drive conversion (master cylinder and brake booster on the USA side, brake pedal and steering wheel on "our" side...linked by a bar....yep that is how it was done) and has even been on propane for 15 years, and a cheap LPG conversion at that. I'm sorting out that cheap-ass stuff this year. AND I would never think of removing the original 430 and TH400. Those are about to be refreshed at considerable expense. To Each, His Own.
If you don't like the car you have, build it to what you want. I've had mine for 40 years and I've swapped about everything on it because it was an original Stage 1 car but had a BBC and 12-bolt in it when I got it. So, it will never be numbers matching anything again. I've made it handle and drive and stop better than it ever would in factory trim. I can honestly say, I haven't made anything worse on it. As they say, better than it never was.
Sweet. What year Wildcat? I had a 66 Riv GS that was plum metallic. I get it. I saw a 68 GS in the same color. Loved it. Do your thing. Love people wanting out of the norm. Show me a 70 GSX tribute not yellow or white...
Sweet. Black Cherry that!!! Love it. Black Cherry will look wicked on there. Give it some metal flake. Love your car
I say go for it, I am thinking of building a restomod GSX convertible. I would like to find a convertible that is mostly done, coil over, 4 link if I can. I would go with a SC LS motor and 4L80E trans. I would like to be around 800RWHP.
Make it yours and enjoyable. My Skylark will be getting new suspension and brakes sometime in the future, as well as an overdrive trans.
I drive my GS and GN as much as possible, especially to work, about 15 miles of 70/80 mph, then some city. Biggest gripe about older cars is NO DRINK HOLDERS for my morning coffee When the GS is in drive, the flat area between the shifter handle and the back of the console was ok to hold my beer can, theres barely visable circular marks on the chrome from the can, yes I know that's not socially acceptable, but that's what we did in my twenties Working AC in both cars would be nice, but its not a necessity. I too like the over assisted steering in the GS, the suspension is fine, rolls like a ball bearing on glass on the interstate. I also like the mechanical connection between driver and car in the GS, no computer to interpret what your intentions are, want drive? boom theres drive, backing up? boom theres reverse. You want WOT from a dead stop? punch it, there yah go! No computer delay to interpret your command, then send a signal to a drive by wire motor on the throttle, then it SLOWLY transitions wo WOT, my wifes Tahoe does that and its ANNOYING! Almost like the computer is asking "are you SURE you want WOT, YOU POSITIVE??" That's what I appreciate about older cars, YOU were in control, it did what YOU wanted, YOU had to actually THINK to operate it.
