Original or Almost?

[nfrntau]

I'm in a quandary and looking for some advise. I'm getting itchy fingers and am almost at the point of starting my restoration project (withen days). My car is in it's restoration spot in the garage and Iv'e read more books than I'm willing to tell. I beleive I have a game plan decided on (I know something will change berfore I'm finished).
What I'm wondering is my car is all there, down to the original smog equipment and spark plug wires.
As I am restoring it how much does it lose by using aftermarket parts? For example rechroming bumbers, door handles, emblems and so on as opposed to using new parts. My interior plastic is smooth but no chrome left. I don't plan on concours but do plan on a complete disassembley and re-assembly to make certain I get all the rust.
I will be driving my car when it's complete. Any input would be appreciated as always.

 

[68gt390]

When I started on my car, I kinda stepped back and took a look at what had already been done by the previous owner (repaint, original color, replacement of drivers side rear quarter - repop quarter). I also already knew my car would never be concourse. I didn't want a trailer queen. I replaced all the dash parts with repop pieces since original Ford stuff is hard to find let alone the cost. Interior seat covers and carpet were from Auto Custom Carpets and Interior. Seams in carpet and grain in seat covers is as close to original as you can get. I replaced the stock console with a Humphugger Cruiser console (more functional than stock). Besides, I made numerous mods to the engine which included changing to an aluminum intake, air cleaner and valve covers (aftermarket chrome ones) along with adding an aluminum flex fan and auxilliary vacume canister. Under carriage of car is pretty much all stock with the exception of replacing the steering gear box with a unit from Flaming River and will soon add aftermarket traction bars. Most folks who look at the car can't tell the difference between aftermarket and original Ford pieces anyway and as I said earlier the car will never be entered into a concourse judging class anyway. I don't know how most folks feel but, after talking to a local restoration shop their feeling was pretty much the same as mine. I replaced the bumpers with after market ones since I have not had good luck with rechromed bumpers in the past. I replaced the 68 GT grill with the correct GT/CS grill and Marchal lights. I also plan on replacing the GT/CS pop open gas cap with a GT pop open cap. I drive my car to much to worry about being concourse anyway. That's just my thoughts on it. It all depends on what you want. Don't know if I really answered your questons or not. Hope it helps.

Don ;D

 

[1fb1gtcs]

It really depends on what you what you plan to do with the car, if you plan on driving the car a lot I wouldn't worry about keeping everything 100% original but I would keep all the original parts. The closer to original the more valuable is usually a safe assumption but hopefully you'll hang on to your car for a while. My car is very low on options, but I'm going to restore it to as close to original as possible, but one thing I like is a good sound system so I might have an aftermarket stereo installed and now there are radios that fit in the original location that almost look stock. What ever you decide to do though just make sure you enjoy your car, and after all you'll be the one driving it so build it to please yourself and not just everyone who looks at it!

 

[nfrntau]

Thanks guys, Your thoughts are appreciated.

68GT390 you stated "replacing the GT/CS pop open gas cap with a GT pop open cap" just curious why the change?

I have been flipping back and forth from 100% stock to putting a 350 hp 351 in the car. (I already have the motor). The down side of course is storing all removed parts but I see the neccessity should I ever decide to sell my car.

Where can I go to get the proper paint codes/ techniques for all the misc, parts. Engine, frame-underbody, suspension, etc.?

 

[PB gtcs]

As you all can see in the gallery, Paul and I are going "nearly" original. Our goal was to get the original look. Frankly, not many things have been changed. We did put a 9 inch in, kept the c4, made a peppy 289/302. The interior will be all original/repops. We did not want a trailer queen either, wanted a nice driver that 90 pct of the people who see the car will say, "hey thats an original car". Of the other 10 pct, some will like the changes, others wont. Have a year correct engine, tranny, 8 inch sitting in the shop in case someone whats to take it back to original. In short, as was said, do what makes you happy. You can see the process we have gone through in the gallery, Paul and Brian Stevenson.

 

[68gt390]

[quote author=nfrntau link=board=1;threadid=1247;start=0#msg6985 date=1102517731]
Thanks guys, Your thoughts are appreciated.

68GT390 you stated "replacing the GT/CS pop open gas cap with a GT pop open cap" just curious why the change?

I have been flipping back and forth from 100% stock to putting a 350 hp 351 in the car. (I already have the motor). The down side of course is storing all removed parts but I see the neccessity should I ever decide to sell my car.

Where can I go to get the proper paint codes/ techniques for all the misc, parts. Engine, frame-underbody, suspension, etc.?
[/quote]

To be honest about it, I just like the looks of the GT pop open cap better than the standard one with the running horse emblem. I have a 68 GT Coupe and with the GT center caps in red enamel and the rear GT cap with GT lettering in red enamel I think it just sets the car off more. Besides, I've heard that several of the GT cars possibly did make it out of the factory with the GT pop open gas cap. Either way I'll be changing it and storing my original one away.

Don ;D

 

[rvrtrash]

As everyone has said, save all the old parts, even if you go to stock look. I even saved my old seat upholstery. Mine is close to original, although I added an aluminum intake and Tri-Y headers. I didn't change anything I couldn't change back in a couple of hours. I did add GT wheels but still have the steel wheels and two of the hubcaps and am going to be looking for two more to complete the set, but then again, I have been accused of being anal. ;D Have fun with the car, but don't butcher it and you should be ok.
Steve

 

[68gt390]

Steve,
I think we have all been accused of being "anal" at one time or another. Kinda goes with the hobby.

Don 8)

 

[-=MUSTANG=-]

I am still blasting parts for the resto of my car. The car has black deluxe interior, PS, PB, and is painted candy apple red. At least when original there are some good options.

I am going to have the original interior plastic, bumpers, etc, rechromed. Basically I will reuse as much of the original car as possible, I've heard bad things about repro parts. The repro rad support I bought is real flimsy, since only a small area by the battery is gone my body guy is going to butt weld a section from an original rad support in there (now I just need to find the piece from a junkyard car). The entire car was media blasted so he starting with a very clean slate.

As far as what is going on the car that is not original. Pertronix ignition, dual exhaust, mild cam, some engine mods done for durability (screw in studs, stellite seats) 289 hipo exhaust manifolds, SHELBY engine dress up kit, I have a 1969 FORD dealer over the counter SHELBY lettered 4 bbl intake.

I want my car to 'look' original as possible but want to put some reliabilty and fun in there too. I'm also going to put 3 point seat belts in the back seat, I have a baby on the way and she'll need a ride to the DREAM CRUISE, I don't think baby seats work with a lap belt.

I was very lucky with the car, it was complete, minimal rust (for a Mustang), with good options and colors (a bigger engine and A/C would have been nice though) the original 289 and auto trans even have the VINs consecutive number stamped on them.

In the end just don't tear it up too much. It is easy to say you can always swap out the engine and trans if you want to go back to stock but I wonder just how many people really do that.