'69 original paint Z...leave as-is or repaint?

[70L34]

A friend of mine is interested in this '69 that has much of its original paint, but he'd like to respray it in a modern BC/CC. Personally, I think the paint is just too far gone to worry about any loss of value that might come from repainting it. I was hoping for some feedback to convince him that he shouldn't be too concerned about wiping away the originality by doing a limited cosmetic resto. What do you think?

http://tinyurl.com/oq3z7e2

[L78 steve]

Take lots of pictures to document condition prior to re paint/restoration.

[william]

Judging by the other photos of it much if not all of the nose had already been poorly repainted. I would strip and repaint the car without hesitation.

[sixt9x33rs]

I would paint the car.

[X33RS]

Just that pic alone I can tell the paint has been played with, on the front at least.  So it's technically not original, I wouldn't worry about trying to preserve it.

However with that said, and since I do this for a living, I'm somewhat sick of the shiny cars I'm afraid to drive or take somewhere.   Driving something like pictured is actually refreshing and less stress.   I have a couple cars in this type of shape I have no intentions of painting just for that reason.   Personally I'd leave it be and go out and enjoy the thing without worry.
   It'll still get tons of attention, trust me 

[6667ss138]

We have discussed this car before. I like it. Wish it were mine.
I agree with the statement above. If it were mine I would drive it like it is without the stress of a new paint job and just enjoy it. It can always be restored in the future. JMHO
And yes it will get a lot of attention just like it is!

[X33RS]

It can always be restored in the future. JMHO

That's a key statement right there, because once you reach that point the game changes and the fun factor decreases (for me anyway)
    The very small handful of people at the local shows that may keep asking you when you're going to paint it aren't real car enthusiasts.   The people that actually know what they are looking at can and will appreciate the car for what it is just the way it sits.

[lakeholme]

Tell him to drive it for a year, while he works out any mechanical issues, and then decide.  He'll get a wealth of face to face opinions during that time. The paint booth is not the first place to take a classic, restored or not....

[Stingr69]

Paint it if you like a pretty car.  No reason to save a finish that is already gone.  Original is nice but it really comes down to an owner personal preference in the end.

[RUNUTZ]

Thats alot of money for a car that needs restored or your going to redo it.Buy 1 already done. JMO

[1968RSZ28]

VIN: 124379N562626

Paul

[X33RS]

Thats alot of money for a car that needs restored or your going to redo it.Buy 1 already done. JMO

And that's the other side of the coin.  I agree, no way I'd pay that much for a Z in that kind of shape when there are nice driver quality Z's occasionally forsale in the $50k range.   Paying $30k for one that needs completely gutted and redone and spending at least another $30k to do it right (likely more if you want it 100% correct), I think you can get into one in much better shape that's nearly done for less money if you're patient and willing to travel.

Even if I weren't planning to restore, and I do enjoy driving them in this condition, I still have a hard time spending that kind of $$ for something they made 20,302 of.  Apparently the reserve is higher than $30k, so the seller is dreaming in my opinion, it's already more than all the money the car will bring in that shape (IMO), if I were him I'd take that $30k bid and run, lol.

[jdv69z]

All depends on what's important to you. If you are interested in one with majority of the factory original drive train, etc., you might be looking a while to find a nice one. If that doesn't matter, might as well make your own. Everybody else is!!

[FortLangleyBC]

I like the car the way it is except for the rear shackles

I do agree that $30k is a little steep for a rough driver & it will cost a fortune to restore - likely more than it'll be worth initially...

Paul

[BULLITT65]

If he is interested in doing it, thats fine. I may advise him to find a better entry level Z candidate to repaint. Just my 2 cents

I agree with Phillip, Len, & Larry, he may have a ton more enjoyment out of purchasing a driver and getting it mechanically sound and just drive it. If he wants a Z with a nice paint job you can purchase one of those just as easy.