So I bought this car from my parents for $2500. It's been garaged since then. Body needs a few small dings pulled, painted, decals reapplied. Interior work...

Anyway, Dad just had my engine rebuilt, and since I've done a lot of work for the mechanic that did it, he put on a lot of extras. Edelbrock carburetor, chrome valve covers, chrome air filter (gonna put the stock one back on, so I can use the hood induction), lack of catalytic converters http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif . Do these really matter for purposes of keeping it stock?

I've got two options with the car; keep it stock, or beef it up. Dad wants me to keep it stock, thinking that it'll make a good investment, I can still get the original parts from the mechanic; but as I see it, the cost of restoration and storage and time wouldn't equal what I would be able to sell the car for.

Or if I beefed it up, I could run with my buddy with a '72 Plymouth Valiant with a 383, and my buddy with a '72 Chevy Vega GT with a 350..but it woulndn't have that "stock" appeal.

It's got 115,000 miles on it (I hope that's not 215). Hasn't exactly been taken care of. I think I'm the 4th owner (parents bought it for my sister from the second owner, I'm not counting my parents, they never did anything with it except keep it garaged)..

I'm really at a loss at what I really want to do with this car. Is it really worth keeping it bone stock, or would the car be better off with higher performance?

::Edit::

One more question. I live near a racetrack, quater-mile circle track (www.ephrataracewaypark.com). Lots of the Hobby Stock class are 2nd Gen Camaro's, and the mechanic who rebuilt my engine has his daughter in an 80 Camaro. Recently he needed a new axle, and it was a big deal to find one, because apparently all the junkyards have crushed the 2nd Gen Camaros, and the rest have been put on the track, making mine all the more valuable. Is there any validity in this, or is it just a regional thing?


[This message has been edited by Guvnor (edited July 06, 2005).]

Here's how I'm thinking on my 81. I'm very sure ours will never make it to the value of a 69 Z28 or an early 2nd gen. However, I still keep all the originial parts on mine when I replace them. MIne is almost 100% original. I've replaced the smog pump, starter, Master Cylinder and a front caliper. All were worn out, but they all are on a shelf on the off chance it may be worth something in the future to say this is the one that came on the car. Mine has a 3.08 open rear, I have a 3.42 posi to put in as soon as I get it cleaned up. I will absolutely not get rid of the original rear. So I'd say mod all you want to as long as it can still be put back stock and make sure to save all the stock parts. BTW, when mine turns 25 in January and I can register it as an anitique in VA, then it won't have to go through inspection anymore, so the catylitic converter will be history and on goes the headers with dual exhaust. I will also remove all the smog equipment as well as the computer. Again it will all be stored on a shelf.

That's pretty much exactly the same thing I've been thinking. It's what my buddy with the Valiant says to do...and it's kinda enticing.

I'm pretty sure I kind of HAVE to keep the stock engine in there, because Dad just dumped a lot of money into getting it rebuilt for me...so all I have to worry about for a while is body, interior, suspension...that kind of thing.

Chances are if you've got to rebuild the whole car to have a relly nice ride, if you do it right, you prob. have more in it unless you keep it for a very long time. As far as original parts, etc. If the car was cherry and low miles I'd say yeah, keep the old stuff up on a shelf if you are chroming the motor up, adding headers, etc. But if you have to rebuild it all anyway, shelve the parts that are good
and junk the worn out stuff. Build the car the way you'd want it when you drive it. My 2 cents.