Here's my delima: I am getting close to putting paint on a '68 plain jane. I love the SS stripes that go with that year. (Not as much as the hockey-stick strip on a '69 but that's a differnt story). This is not a "matching numbers" car... I'm not at all interested in putting SS badges or anything on it but would like to put the SS stripes on it. The "bumble bee" stripes over the top is nice but I like the SS stripes. How much would I be hurting myself with re-sell value? I know there are the purists who will curse me. But since I have a '69 restored/stock maybe they'll cut me some slack. I'm thinking dark blue or red with cortez silver stripes.

I guess in the end, it depends what you want and what kind of car lover you are. While I appreciate resto mods, I personally like when cars are restored back to their original state. Not really sure why, but that's just the way I am (even though I'm somehow putting a COPO motor in mine--oh yeah, that's right, I can't afford a $100K+ car...). Guess it's that historical preservation thing.... So personally, I'd keep the stock look.

However, if you like the stripes and it doesn't bother you that they weren't original to the car, put 'em on unless you plan on selling the car in the near future. JMHO....

It won't hurt the value of a Plain Jane. Paint color and stripes won't really hurt the value of most cars. Yes, on high end, numbers matchings, rare cars but not 90% of cars. It can actually increase the value of most other cars. I'd go with them if it was my car. I really doubt anyone will curse you for improving the look of your car. It's your car, so I wouldn't worry what anyone has to say about it anyway. Paint it the way you want. What are you color combos?

The D90 stripes were part of the SS package in 68, but they were also available as a standalone RPO. So, your 68 could have been odered with them. If you like them (I do) I say go for it.

You want "SS" stripes??? Just do it my friend!!! Just do it...

Eric: I'm glad to hear that! wasn't aware. I have a different color combo in mind every day. I'm really leaning toward red or dark blue, with POSSIBLY silver stripes. If not, white stripes. I need to mock up the silver stripes look to see if I like it. The original color was gold and that's not a color I care for (though I've seen some very nice gold cars) My favorite color, without question is hugger orange but my '69 is that color. Early on, I was actually thinking about a "flat black" with no stripes... simply because the engine is being rebuilt to a 383 w/Muncie 4 speed and radical gears. I thought the flat black would give it a "no nonsense" appeal.

I say its your car paint it like you like it. Are you talking about the early SS or later SS stripes? IMO I don't think I would like the red/silver combo. I can't recall ever seeing one though so it might work. Sometimes you don't know till you see it. But once again its yours so.....

my 69 lm1 RS is painted blue with silver Z stripes. i bought the car because i liked the color combo even though the original daytona yellow would have looked good to. i get many compliments about the color combo and it is rare because it is not a factory stripe color. its your car so give it the look that you like!

Geoff: I'm talking about the '68 SS stripes, not the hockey-stick '69 stripes. It will be easy to mock-up. My girlfriend has a shiny red sports car- I'll just take the '68 stencil, attach silver aluminum foil to the underneath of the part that covers the hood and hold it against the car. It's not Cortez silver but I want a "shinier" silver anyway. It may NOT look good due to the chrome bumpers conflicting with the stripe in some way. we'll see.

Go for it! The BB's have a message in them for those who know.:thumbsup:

capt

Capt: please clearify that statement.. BB as in big block? bumble bee (stripe)? And by the way, if you'r the real "Tool Man" you must know Tom Nelson, he's building both of our engines.

I did the same thing. My car is an RS but I went with the Z stripes. The car wasnt a #'s car and I built the car they way I wanted to. Do the stripes if it makes you happy.

I'm doing the stripes for sure; now that I know it was an option for that year. May even go with black w/silver stripes, black int., walnut steering, wood dash, etc. who knows the color- but yes on the SS stripes

Corvette Bronze with a black Bumble Bee stripe. :thumbsup:

Capt: please clearify that statement.. BB as in big block? bumble bee (stripe)? And by the way, if you'r the real "Tool Man" you must know Tom Nelson, he's building both of our engines.
No not the real TA. I think it would be too cool up here for him (as in temp).

Was alway told that the BB's just mean... don't mess with me. Least that's what a lot of the crew think up here.

capt

I have a hugger 69 that is a 327 210 that came factory with black hockey stripes, and yes they are going back on!

My last 68 was black with the silver stripes. It looked good and did not seem to clash with the chrome. It was plain, yet all of the potential buyers liked the SS stripe situation, and I believe it really helped my selling price. After all, it sold for over $18,000 with nothing really custom about it, even the TPI motor was converted back to carb when I sold it.

-shoe

I love the BB stripes but really love the SS stripes more. If I decide to go without a rear spoiler, having a bumble bee stripe may add to the "forward leaning" look of the car. especially if I put on a front spoiler, without the rear spoiler.