What original parts not to mess with...

[dave73chally]

So I'm modding my car and to this point, I've been pretty cautious to save my stock parts, buy other parts and modify those. For example, I wanted to modify my grille so I removed mine, bought another in worse shape and hacked that up. Same for my tail lights, dash cluster etc.

Now I'm putting in new modern bucket seats and want to have the rear seat re-foamed and recovered to match the fronts. My rear seat is in nice condition, no cracks or signs of wear and foam is in good condition. I have been debating finding a rear seat frame and having that foamed and covered and saving my original.

So what do you think, is this worth doing? Will the parts ever be worth anything or will they just be taking up space? FWIW my car is a 73, 318, 3 speed with no special options. I'll be keeping the #'s matching drivetrain when it's removed for the big block this winter, that is not a question.

[70chall440]

my rule of thumb for this is "if it is repoped, I can modify it". Since I don't have any high end "original" cars and am not looking for any, the sky is the limit. If you are making the car better, modern, faster, stop better, etc it is worth doing it. If you are concerned about originality, then buy the new parts or get some used ones and modify them, save yours for your car if it concerns you.

[4406v]

You are modifying a "common" car that really doesn't have "collector value" I'm not saying the car isn't worth doing BUT I really wouldn't worry about "original". When it comes down to it anything you do to a "plain jane" car is going to be an improvement. If this were a numbers matching 340,440 or Hemi I'd tell you keep all of it which would help with resale value down the road. In your case the collector isn't interested in your car and the guy who wants a hot rodded car won't care about original.

Most of all have fun and enjoy it , change whatever you like.

[YellowThumper]

Going a similar route on my 74. Primarily mechanical changes though. As my cars sheet metal is all original the defining line is not to hack it up. There will be a few subtle body changes and spare items will be used instead of original pieces.  "Bolt on" items are just that and can be changed back easily if retained. Unless your car is a numbers matching and all original highly sought after piece you keep it. As for items like your seat,  no need to try and keep them as original items. You will just trip over them for years for no real added value to the car. Make them how you want them. Easily re-upholstered again.

Mike

[Sinatra]

I'm in the process of converting a set of 300G longrams to MPFI and putting a 4-speed in an Imperial.  One of my best friends is putting a 4-speed in an original, survivor '73 Charger Rallye 340 he's owned for 17 years.

I'm probably not the guy to ask.

[DMZ73]

I have been interested in using the late model Challenger (LC) rear seat assembly and modifying from there...
I like the fact hat this seat does not technically have any springs in it, and is constructed primarily of foam and a metal wire for the cushion.
The seat back is slightly different... The seat is a 60/40 split that has more metal in it for structure. That being said, I think you could still modify it so that the seat does not fold.
Curious to know what you end up with.

Dan

[GoodysGotaCuda]

It depends on who you are building the car for.

For me, I am not building my car for the next owner. It will be worth whatever it's worth in the state that I wanted it to be in. Mod away, a stash of old parts on a highly modified vehicle isn't worth a whole lot to anyone but you. 

[brads70]

With the excepting of subframe connectors and the US Cartool cowl braces I've had a personal rule of any bolt on item is fair game for modifications .My thoughts are , you can always bolt the stock parts back on if the next owner wanted it original. My car will never be worth top dollar so it's not that important really.  But like Goody said I build them for me. Not the next guy when I'm dead! 

[dave73chally]

It depends on who you are building the car for.

For me, I am not building my car for the next owner. It will be worth whatever it's worth in the state that I wanted it to be in. Mod away, a stash of old parts on a highly modified vehicle isn't worth a whole lot to anyone but you. 

That's a good point. My car won't be worth huge money either. I'm building it the way I want it and don't plan on ever selling it. Guess I'll start modding away and won't look back 👍

[GreenFish]

my rule of thumb for this is "if it is repoped, I can modify it". Since I don't have any high end "original" cars and am not looking for any, the sky is the limit. If you are making the car better, modern, faster, stop better, etc it is worth doing it. If you are concerned about originality, then buy the new parts or get some used ones and modify them, save yours for your car if it concerns you.

Pretty much the way I go as well. My car isnt a 1 of 1 Hemi car so as long as i can buy the part later on if i decide to change my mind I don't care.  Sometimes I even sell original parts to people who are doing nut and bolt restos and just buy aftermarket because the original part is worth more and make a few bucks.

[Archialfa]

That's a good point. My car won't be worth huge money either. I'm building it the way I want it and don't plan on ever selling it. Guess I'll start modding away and won't look back 👍

Same here!