Original vs Correct,, New Body Acceptable?

[copo9566aa]

Great post [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Jeff H]

Obviously this discussion is looking for opinions on how people perceive these cars and their restorations. I'll say that in my opinion, there is a difference between a rebody and replacing welded metal like quarter panels. If you damaged your car back in 69, the dealer would replace the damaged panel and repaint the area to match. That has been an accepted practice for a long time. If you damaged the entire body, the car was totalled, you weren't given a new body to put all other parts on. Saving a rusted out or severly damaged body on a rare car is a difficult and expensive task and it helps preserve the history of these cars. We all know there are people doing rebodies and back-halving cars so they can make a buck. I won't buy one of these cars and I'm sure most of the people here wouldn't either. But I see no problem with replacing rusted or damaged panels or body parts. It's no different than replacing other maintenance items like radiator hoses, spark plug wires. But the way I see it, the body shell is the actual car that the VIN and title go with. I sure wish we could get some more people to add their thoughts to this discussion. I don't expect everyone to agree, but it always helps to hear other thoughts.

[Leonard]

Original vs Correct? ..take a valuable car such as a 69 ZL-1 or Yenko Camaro. Its a basket case. If This car is going to be restored, it is no longer original. So, we must restore it to be correct. With restoration cost not being an issue, how should we do this restoration? A) a complete body panel replacement restoration except firewall using GM panels (not installed or assembled at the GM assy line) or B) a re-body (a 69 rust free body assembled by GM at the assy line). As for the donor car for the re-body, it was a assigned a VIN and body # also. IMO the VIN and Body # is not exclusive to the body they are applied to. As far as the COPO being restored, the body is not a 1 of 1 built for that drive train. What if.. Don Yenko submitted his order for the first 50 COPO's 2 weeks later. Would these cars have the same VIN and body #s ? I am not for or against a rebody being acceptable. I am stating my opinion on what i would be comfortable with if i should purchace a car that i knew had went thru a complete body restoration. I would much rather have a re-body. I feel it would be more correct. Just my opinion.

[Keith Tedford]

Anyone who has come from the street rod building world into the muscle car world wouldn't think twice about rebodying a car. This business has been going on forever without a second thought where they come from. The rebody in itself added little to the value of the car other than the fact that you would have solid metal to work with. In the muscle car world different things matter and different rules apply. Specific models, engine options etc are a couple of examples of what can add greatly to the value of the car. It might just take some time and a few court dates before these guys learn the new rules.

[BARRY]

IT IS JUST A NUMBER YOU ARE JUST A NUMBER IF YOU WANT TO FIND THAT OUT JUST PHONE THE GOVERMENT IF YOU HAVE A NICE CAR AND YOUR NOT TRYING TO RIP SOME BODY OFF FOR A LOT OF MONEY I HAVE BEEN THIER IT COST ME A LOT JUST CLEAR MY NAME I WAS SOLD A CAR I DID NOT CHECK OUT THE DEAL WAS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE I SHOUD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

[jus4funn68]

I was just wondering just how many of us actually KNOW the total history of the cars we own? How would some of us feel if we found out that the pristine Z-28 had actually been in a fender bender because someone loanded the car to his sister one night and the front fender was replaced??? It would be something that would humble the best of us I would think.

[rlesser]

neet topic, I do change body panels and bodies for a living!
I have either owned a bodyshop or worked in one for the last
25-30 yrs-mostly european stuff, domestic for fun! I can buy a new body from porsche, complete fenders and all. We have talked customers into doing this based on. putting ourselves in a position of the next collision!safety! we take incredible pride in our skills-but-we can't duplicate a
factory weld from porsche or mercedes! period! is ours stronger or weaker? Yes there are procedures but we don't crash test our work-do we....the idea of replacing the body on the car when done ethically/not changing options or modifying the vin is legal and is being done on a day to day schedule. Is it o.k. to change the body on your #s matching car. All i know is i wouldn't be caught dead in a
car that has had 1000's of factory welds replaced vs a rebody.(no body like a factory body). when did the z-28 going down the assembly line get its soul/i.d./etc.?
when the engine and trans went in or when the dealer ordered
the car? How was the body of the 6cyl car different from the z-28? its not-the legal document is the true value, and to car collectors, buyer beware. hire a professional to view the car, do your research, and have fun with these things.

rob
67 gto conv.
68 firebird 400
68 daytona ss chevelle
70 grand prix sj HO

[MotownMadman]

Rob, it wouldnt bother you if you found out your GTO body was actually a 326 Lemans body that someone had removed all the VIN numbers and GTO related parts and placed them on it?
Motown [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Charley Lillard]

69RSSS350.... Are you really trying to say that anybody not voicing their opinion on this subject is into Rebodies ? I am sure that is what you are trying to Imply. That is one of the Dumber comments I have heard on this Board. You seem to consistently have a habit of insulting People and then saying that is not what you meant.