I need to share.
After working for a number of years to make my 69 'correct', I'm really feeling kinda blue. I lost my heated garage three years back so it's been kinda hard just keeping up with the 'preservation' of the car much less pushing it to the next level. Late last fall I removed the intake and exhaust manifolds with the intention of repainting and having the manifolds ceramic coated. The rust was killing me. Found the correct dated master and had it rebuilt, same with the booster. Cast ceramic done.
Now I'm rethinking where I'm going with the car. Other than the Judged events like ACA and the like, the average guy could care two cents. I open the hood and they look and say 'oh' and they're off. I really really enjoy talking to knowledgeable Camaro fans, but they are few and far between. Most conversations revolve around ' oh I always wanted a Pace Car or whatever'.
The trip to Carlisle is a major endeavor, and now that ACA has moved, I'm not much in the mood to push the extra miles with the trailer and the gas$$$.
So other than a few hundred people on the planet who really cares that its a 'born with drive-train'.... its not a L78, oh just a 350. Oh I see you have the correct brake lines, nice.
Tired of driving around on date correct wheels that hop at 70 mph, on 'correct Goodyear bias/belted tires'. Tired of another 'misfire' from my crappy 'date correct' wires. And so on and on.
It's just not that much fun worrying about the dust on the road, gravel, rainstorms, etc.
Selling it is not an option. Prices are soft, and I spent bucks knowing that the only person who benefits from restored is the buyer. So I want to keep it but just think right now I'm going to 're-think' the car.
Taking it up to the next level..... Vintage Elite or Legends would require even more effort. Would need to repaint (I have base clear) dated glass and a 'Gardner exhaust'. And then what... more bucks and never take the car outside again? Hell as it is the car feels like a Museum piece.
So..... here is what I'm thinking. If I had have owned this car, back in the 70's when I was a young man, what would I have done to make it 'mine'
I certainly would not have left it just as it was delivered from the factory. I think I would have put headers on it, decent looking valve covers, some chrome under the hood, nice wheels and tires... and driven it like I stole it.
My rant, sorry must have been the long long winter
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