I just posted on "Whats it Worth" what my car will be when it's restored. It's a 68 Corvette Bronze RS with a 327, auto Vigilite, PW,PS,PB and deluxe interior, and I was told it will be worth in the high teens.

What I really want is to restore a 68 Z/28:hurray:, but I can't afford that right now:(.

So...I'm restoring my 68 RS.

My question is, would I get more for it restored as original...or...restored as a resto-mod with a high HP engine, beefed up suspension and torque thrust wheels, SS hood, spoilers and more?

What do you think?

I've been watching Barrett-Jackson and there is a good market for resto-mods that are VERY well done. But the prices seem to be higher if the car is all original and totally restored to near perfection.

Things like color combo and tranny choice (manual versus automatic) also seem to come into play. If you're concerned about maximizing your end value more than your own driving experience, then I would suggest watching some of the next BJ auction to see what the cars fetch.

BJ just finished an auction in Palm Beach, FL, if you go to this page:
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/search/carlist.aspx
then at the top of the list. click on "Model" and it will sort the list of the cars. Scroll down and you will see how much money each Camaro sold for, plus there is a description and good pics. That would be a great start in helping you decide end value, IMO. I counted 19 first-gen Camaros sold in this auction...................

Good luck.

The car should be left original IMHO. Corvette Bronze, Vigilite and matching numbers? Sounds like the car has some desireable and rare options. High teens is light for that car. If done well, my guess would be low to mid 20's all day.

Thanks Dave, I was watching Barrett-Jackson all week, I love that show.

Great site, most Camaro's that are going for big bucks are modified in some way or an other.

Since my car doesn't have an original motor, but it is an original RS, I think I'm going to build it the way I want as opposed to go original.

When I finally get my 68 Z, I'll go totally original.

Bob,

It's the original trans and rear but the motor is long gone.

Still thinking mid to low 20's?

Steven,

The dilemma you face is this - If the finished car is worth low to mid 20's as BelAirBob suggests, then it will be difficult to make money, as a decent restoration on any of these cars is gonna cost 10-20K minimum................

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Dave, I hear you and I'm already in the 10-12 range and I haven't even scratched the surface.

Unfortunately it's too late to cut my losses.

What should I do, I want to sell the car so I can get a 68 Z/28 to restore.

Should I just finish it original and sell it original as I can (not numbers matching engine), or should I beef it up, make it a litte flashier with engine, wheels, hood and spoilers and sell it?

Since you don't have the orig engine, I'd say just build it the way you want it and enjoy. Take your time and do a good job. You may be surprised at what you could get.

I was at the B-J auction on Saturday, all day, and had a chance to touch-feel-examine many of the Camaros before they went to the hammer.
One '67 was in the staging area when I got there, it had rusty aftermarket chromie wheels, the engine compartment was rattle canned with runs and bubbling off, the carb was all black and grungy, the air shocks were pumped to the max, and the best part, two crude looking-mismatched toggle switches were drilled through the metal dash, right below the ign. switch.
I thought for sure this was a $20, maybe $22k car tops and even then someone would be out of their mind. It did have fresh paint that looked good.
And on top of all this, the auctioneer said "Show Quality!!"
Very,VERY low standards as to qualify that statement.

Anyway, the car went to some lucky "winner" for $40k. Lot #620 if you want to look, prices are all over the place. The cars definitely look better on TV. It made me (and especially the misses) feel a whole lot better on what I've sunk in mine.

Steven, a '68 RS is already a damn cool car (I'm partial, since I own a '68, lol). ;) So if you want a '68-Z and you already got a '68-RS, then man, I think it's clone time. Buy some Z badges and fake it. If you've already started pouring money into this thing, then you know how it goes. It's kinda like owning a boat, you know, that big hole in the water that just keeps sucking in money, haha.


Greg, thanks for the info on the BJ auction. The cars look fantastic on TV. It's good to get a qualified opinion from someone who's actually been there. Makes me feel better too (about spending all the $$$$$$).

:)

....Anyway, the car went to some lucky "winner" for $40k. Lot #620 if you want to look, prices are all over the place. The cars definitely look better on TV. It made me (and especially the misses) feel a whole lot better on what I've sunk in mine.


Booyah! Just went and looked at that #620. I am feeling a WHOLE lot better now, lolol...... :hurray:

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I'm one of those anal guys where everything has to be perfect, I am spending a lot of time on my car and doing it right, and that's just because I'm nuts.

No rattle cans and a ton of NOS and GM parts that went to the media blaster. Either way the car is going to be a great car when I'm done. I couldn't do the clone thing, it would drive me nuts.

However, I can keep it a 68/RS which is a cool car, make it the way I want, keep the stock pieces (if someone wants original) but beef it up and have fun with it. Then I can sell it and see what I can get.

PS I have a boat, I know what you mean...

I'm one of those anal guys where everything has to be perfect, I am spending a lot of time on my car and doing it right, and that's just because I'm nuts.

No rattle cans and a ton of NOS and GM parts that went to the media blaster. Either way the car is going to be a great car when I'm done. I couldn't do the clone thing, it would drive me nuts.

However, I can keep it a 68/RS which is a cool car, make it the way I want, keep the stock pieces (if someone wants original) but beef it up and have fun with it. Then I can sell it and see what I can get.

PS I have a boat, I know what you mean...
I'm sanding down the rear drivetrain and all I'm going to do is change the gasket, replace the fluid and paint it black.

It seems very smooth when I turn the axles, no play at all.

I'm going to paint the rear and the leaf springs.

What paint should I use? Por-15? Suggestions?
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Not to hammer on you here but I don't feel a complete resroration involves just painting a rear end what about seals & bearings? And in other post yesterday your asking about Tabco sheetmetal.

Good point, I'm not so sure what to do about the rear? I'm not experienced enough to know how to replace bearings and seals, I'll probably have someone do that when I have the trans rebuilt.

I was asking about the Tabco skins because they're made in the USA. I don't need full quarter replacement, just around the wheel wells. I have aftermarket skins, but I thought that the ones made in the USA may be better.

The fenders, inner fenders (NOS) trunk, hood, bumpers (NOS), interior, and all chrome is GM. Floor pans are Rick's, rockers are Goodmark. (actually I have full Goodmark Floor Pans in the box if anyone wants to buy them).

Front disc brakes are Matts Bowtie. Shocks all new Koni, bushings all new Poly, springs and sway bars are Hotchkis. Engine has new comp cam, Edelbrock intake carb and Hooker headers, the heads and tuning will be done by a pro.

Not that I have to explain myself to you or anyone else, but since you questioned me I thought I'd tell you what I've done so far.

And by the way, this is my first restoration, I think I'm doing a friggin good job and it WILL turn out great.

I was asking for options and advice, not criticism.

I guess you're fist restoration was factory quality, congratulations to you!