VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Asking out of curiousity

I don't want to be criticized but I am curious. Some members restore their cars to an extreme and worry about the car being judged as accurate. My question is out of curiousity. How does a few changes affect the market price of a car? My touring car for example has a 28 motor instead of the 26 that should have been in it. I have alittle more power. Aside from judging, does this greatly reduced the marketing and price of a car? I am using the car for family fun, not for being judged but I've been told 'this car is a mongrel?... I want to hear from other members on how does incorrect restorations affect the fun and final market price of a car... I'm sure correct restorations are great but does it make my car , perhaps alittle inaccurate, worthless? :confused: :confused: :confused:

I'll give you my 2 cents worth, for what it's worth (which is 2 cents!). Definitely, it makes it worth somewhat less - but also certainly it's not "worthless."

Value is a function of what someone is willing to pay for something. OK, so consider who are the potential buyers of a 1926 Chevy? Probably the largest market for such a car is the type of guys who are on this Forum – antique Chevrolet Collectors & Restorers. There is also a market among the less informed, non-club-member types, who think it's “neat” and “fun” and so forth. (Note -these people frequently mature into the first category, as that is an early stage of the same disease.)

As you have stated, the goal of most of us here is to constantly pursue "perfection' - in the form of putting the car in the condition it was in the day it was built – otherwise know as “Correct.” What other objective comparison can there be? Comparing Street Rods is totally subjective – it all comes down to what one person likes, versus another. There is no objective Yardstick – i.e., there is no Right Answer. When you pursue Originality as the goal, there IS a “Right Answer” - and therefore cars can be objectively compared.

So, combining the above thoughts - if a Buyer of the car, from the most likely group of available buyers, wants a 1926 model, with the expected intention of making it “perfect” – then your car is worth less to him. Why? Because he has to buy a "correct' engine and do the associated work. If he is looking at a comparable car that already has the correct engine, all other things being equal, he would of course buy the car with the correct engine. Supply and Demand kicks in, and your car is therefore obviously worth less to him. Basic economics.

No criticism intended here, just trying to answer the question posed. Nothing in the world wrong with having a car that is for pleasure, touring, etc. Lots of cars out there that fall into that category – but as far as Value, they are certainly worth less to a knowledgeable buyer than their more Correct counterparts.

It is your car, are you interested in judging and that process of competition and enjoyment, or you interested in driving it for the pleasure of driving it? Many of the parts of a 1926 and a 1928 will interchance and Chevrolet recommended that older engines could be upgraded with parts that first came out in the 1928 engines, after all it is just 2 years newer! It isn't as if you were driving a 1926 with a 2000 S-10 4 cylinder engine and drive line in it. But some folks may go in that direction, However, they won't find much in common with the dudes on this site.

I agree with ChevyGuru's response. It may be worth a little less but it all comes down to supply and demand. It is your car, do with it what you wish and enjoy it. I like your intentions better already because it is a driver not a "trailer queen".

I think you have a grate car whatever engine is in it, it is a driver and not a trailer queen as was stated in the other reply. So the engine is off by two years. what about the guys that take a 28 head or a three port head and put them on there early 4's to obtain what you already have I do not here anyone making any noise about that, just enjoy your car and forget the feed back I enjoy out 1919 490 and out 1923 touring. And one other thing there are a few restored cars out there with the incorrect engines in them. :)

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said so far. While, to a purist, your car may be worth less, it's definately not worthless! Lots of people care about 100% accuracy, judging and such. Lots of others couldn't care less and just enjoy driving and touring. To the latter category of folks, the monetary value of your car is probably little affected, particulary since your 1928 engine isn't really that much different from a 1926. (Stick a Pinto engine in there and that would make a difference!) Personally, while I prefer to try and achieve total originality in a restoration, I'm not above making improvements (aluminum pistons, etc.) that don't show. Does that make my car a mongrel? Nah. Yours isn't either. This is a great big hobby with room for all types. Frankly, I think too many people are hung up on "What's it worth?" Drive your car, take your family and friends for rides, enjoy the fellowship of club events and take pride in the fact that you have preserved a bit of our automotive heritage. I'd much rather see your vintage Chevy putt-putting down the road with a slightly newer engine than rusting away behind a barn somewhere.

Spot on, Tom!
Tim.

We've got to issues at hand here, and I don't want to make light of either.

a) If you're investing in your car for the sake of having something perfectly restored, then don't compromise.

b) If you're investing in your car for the sake of having a car you'll enjoy, then be as true to the originality of the car as you can, but have fun.

But remember, if you 'tweak' your car with non-appropriate accessories or parts, you will be deducted points during the judging process. Don't complain. You can't have your cake and eat it too when it comes to "modification" and the preservation/restoration.

- James

Thanks to all of you who have given replies and and info here. Thanks so much for the info. My car may not be restored to original... to 1926, but maybe original enough back to 1928? maybe. I'll keep it Chevy 4 powered and have plenty of fun with my father and family with the car. Thanks again.

just drive and enjoy our 26 truck has a 28 head off from a hearse heasr body had cut off with a axe what a shame trophies are just dust collecters its passing model ts that make having your car fun

I do have a 26 chevy four out of a coupe ,for the right price I would sell it . I havent done anything with it the last time it ran was in 56 when it was rdriven out of the barn and parked in the grove