Stock???

[furyus 67]

In light of another thread that has raised the question for me, why stock? I realize that am not but a "young punk". Yet I do not understand the need to leave a vehicle as it left the factory. Especially these C bodies! Personally I welcome and respect the creativity that's involved in " customizing" a car. I may not agree with all of the technics or the taste of said customizer. But why is stock better ?

 

[furyus 67]

I may have just answered my own question. CREATIVITY! Or the lack there of!!

 

[LocuMob]

A lot of the members here appreciate the way these cars left the factory and the fact they never got modified in the years of service they offered, and.like to keep them they way they were. It just seems to be the prevalent train of thought here. Doesn't mean there isn't those of us who like to modify our cars. I do what I want with mine because it's nothing special and already had some things done to it that were incorrect. I kept going along those lines. I've come to appreciate the stock C bodies the longer I'm on this forum. Wether or not I ever have one, I don't know. Everything I own was not stock when I got it, so I can do whatever I want and I kind of like that. I also think it takes a certain type of responsibility to keep a car stock. I don't know if I'm that disciplined.

 

[patrick66]

I see the wants for both stock and modified C-bodies - hell, we are individuals! You want your car to reflect you and not necessarily if you bought the car new. I lean more towards stock on a "C", but I appreciate MOST mods, too. Some stuff is so over-the-top, like raising a car six inches and stuffing ghetto wheels under it (20" and larger!), or wraps with stupid ads for McDonalds or Skittles (another ghetto mod). That kind of crap has no place on anything, IMO.

 

[furyus 67]

I understand the appreciation for something that has " survived " so long with out modification. I too appreciate those that survived. That being said, how may of us actually have true survivors? I mean it's your ride, do what you like! I may not agree with what you have done, nonetheless I will appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making your car....well yours! It's become all to easy to sit in a chair, jump on the Internet and tell someone what they do sucks! This question (for me) doesn't com from fcbo alone. I see the comments posted on other forums and Social media outlets and can't help but wonder where did the common respect go? Why are we so quick to bash a man for doing what he likes? Idk....maybe I'm getn soft or inebriated, hard to tell. Personally I'm gonna do what I want to my car! I encourage others to the same! Was there the same appreciation when they where new??

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I am definatly not a purist, I can appreciate it to a degree but all this nonsense of restored to the point just before some monkey got in and fired it up and drove it out to the parking lot off the assembly line is too much. If it is a original unrestored or very rare, it should be left untouched, everything else make it your own.

 

[furyus 67]

Patrick you have a point!!! Everything you just described is sickening!(to me) yet is still a form of creativity and personal expression. I'm still trying to understand stock!

 

[furyus 67]

I am definatly not a purist, I can appreciate it to a degree but all this nonsense of restored to the point just before some monkey got in and fired it up and drove it out to the parking lot off the assembly line is too much. If it is a original unrestored or very rare, it should be left untouched, everything else make it your own.

Yes Dave!! I grew up going to carshows in and around the motor city. None of them were stock cars. Maybe that's why I lack the taste for something factory replicated. I have trouble visualizing any car I wouldn't put my fingers in. Honestly I would like a better understanding on why the "stock" guys are so diehard on it!

 

[LocuMob]

For B and E bodies, money.

 

[furyus 67]

If you asked me (today) my opinion on a nice factory correct 70 Monaco, I would say it was beautifu and leave it alone ! But if I was asked in 1985 I'm sure my response would be the opposite. Other than amount of time from the build date, why is stock better? Do the "leave it alone guys" feel the same about a vehicle built in 2015?

 

[Dobalovr]

For me its a respect thing. Its honoring the vision the men and women of the time whose creativity went into the making of these wonderful cars. I wouldn't tell grandma she needs a facelift even if she did as her "character lines" tell a story. Her journey has led her to the person she is today and who am I to argue. When I look at my car I don't see the what if I see the what was. History counts in my book so I guess that makes me a stock kinda guy.

 

[67-Fury]

I like to stand out and be original but i like Mods to be tasteful too. It is very easy to get carried away with Customizing. Too me alot of these Cars look Pretty perfect Stock, there is nothing you can really do to improve on a Exner car, or a 68-70 charger. If i Had a 57 300 let's say, I would want the car as Original as possible. Part of the reason why i bought a Duster is there are plenty of them around that i wont feel bad for making it my own, i just want to have fun with my car and not have the Guilt, you only get 1 life.

 

[69CoronetRT]

I may have just answered my own question. CREATIVITY! Or the lack there of!!

Your 'creativity' in action: For Sale - 69 Coronet 500 | For C Bodies Only Classic Mopar Forum

Oh and THIS is why "it's your car; do what you want" should be discouraged

 

[LocuMob]

Your 'creativity' in action: For Sale - 69 Coronet 500 | For C Bodies Only Classic Mopar Forum

Oh and THIS is why "it's your car; do what you want" should be discouraged

By that logic, everyone should leave their car just the way it is when it they purchased it, new or used.

 

[Fratzog]

My bias is originality so I'll add my .02 using my 2 cars as a case in point.

First my 70 Polara ragtop is one of 842 produced and came to me in rough but restorable shape. There are likely less than 100 still around in rough or better shape. I put a premium on maintaining a reasonable level of originality. By reasonable I mean some changes make sense. For example it now rides on 1" white wall radial tires instead of bias ply tires. The wheels were changes from full disc wheel covers to correct 1970 road wheels. I added a Superlite setup which was an option on the car in 1970. The top that came with the car has a plastic rear window which I've left as is. I've added NOS bumper guards. In other words I kept the car what I call "factory original" even though it doesn't match the build sheet exactly.

The 68 Monaco 500 was a pieced together car by POs that is a 318 car according to the VIN and a 383 car according to the fender tag. It has a 440/727 combo in it that came from a 77 NYER. For this car I'm less concerned about staying original. The 440 is currently being rebuilt and it is being repainted in the correct for 77 corporate blue but I've already had someone point out that it should be turquoise. I may repaint it but I may not, haven't decided and certainly I'm not losing sleep over the issue. The car rides on mid-70's road wheels which were not even available in 68. Again they look great on the car and I have no inclination to change. Where I'd draw the line as mentioned above is large modern rims with rubber band tires or carving the hood for scoops.

You shouldn't need validation to do with your car what you want because it's your car. Whatever you do keep us informed and be sure your skin is thick enough to endure lots of subjective comments from the peanut gallery.

 

[furyus 67]

For me its a respect thing. Its honoring the vision the men and women of the time whose creativity went into the making of these wonderful cars. I wouldn't tell grandma she needs a facelift even if she did as her "character lines" tell a story. Her journey has led her to the person she is today and who am I to argue. When I look at my car I don't see the what if I see the what was. History counts in my book so I guess that makes me a stock kinda guy.

Yes! To most of this! I have mad respect for the entire process. From concept to production! But......with the constraints that production vehicles are built under e.g. Absolute efficiency, there's a lot lost between concept and production. You wouldn't want all wheel disks over all wheel drums? For me , the vision started with the designers and died with the accountants. In 20 years when a hellcat runs on unobtanium and gets 300mpg....will the creativity of the original drivetrain still count?

I like to stand out and be original but i like Mods to be tasteful too. It is very easy to get carried away with Customizing. Too me alot of these Cars look Pretty perfect Stock, there is nothing you can really do to improve on a Exner car, or a 68-70 charger. If i Had a 57 300 let's say, I would want the car as Original as possible. Part of the reason why i bought a Duster is there are plenty of them around that i wont feel bad for making it my own, i just want to have fun with my car and not have the Guilt, you only get 1 life.

Can't disagree with that Zach! You are wise beyond your years but Exner and Earl, Pininfarina or Bertone all designers. The original visions for most of their designs were lost by the end of production. Production.....is what we end up with.

 

[furyus 67]

Not my creativity! That woulda been left alone! That's a window licker with a wrench and a keyboard!

 

[furyus 67]

Maybe I'm chasing my tail!

 

[furyus 67]

What happens to me every time I see a classic that I love(which are many) I instantly start "improving" in my mind! Whether it be better braking or power or handling, for some damn reason I CANT keep my fingers out of it! It gets worse once I own it. I do try not exceed my own limitations..

 

[69CoronetRT]

By that logic, everyone should leave their car just the way it is when it they purchased it, new or used.

No but the carte blanch, 'Your car' attitude leads to really stupid ****. Crag's list and Ebay are full of good cars turned into POS.