I was able to attend more old car events than usual this summer, and the one common thread that I notice is almost all classics have been modified in one way or another. True originals are and few far between, and are seemingly becoming more scarce as time goes on. Of course there are a lot of people that restore their cars to stock specifications, down to replicating assembly line markings. These vehicles that are meticulous restored to better than new and are typically not driven much if at all. They are also not exactly the type of car we usually see on the curbside.
Lots of modifications here. Aftermarket A/C, modern radio and speakers, modern gauges, steering wheel and shifter are some we see on this ’57 Chevy.
It seems most of the classics we encounter in the wild have some modifications or changes to them. They range from small and subtle things that are obviously not original. People seem to modify their cars for a number of reasons. These include adding desired options or accessories not original to the car, modifying for better performance, modifying out of necessity since original parts are hard to find or too expensive, or to improve the comfort of the car.
There seems to be a large group of people today who love the styling of classic vehicles, but don’t want to put up with the old fashion suspension, brakes, drivetrains and amenities. These so called Resto-mods have become quite popular and range from stockish appearing to heavily modified. There are aftermarket suppliers offer modern suspension systems, rack and pinion steering, some even offer completely modern rolling chassis.
Art Morrsion custom chassis for a C1 Corvette. Note the rack and pinion steering, modern suspension and much stronger frame design.
Kits to install modern V8 engines, such as the ubiquitous GM LS V8 or the modern Chrysler Hemi, are common place. Fuel injection and air conditioning systems are also pretty much become the standard for these types of cars. While it sure makes the car drive a lot better, how much of the original cars’ personality is actually left?
This Duster is pretty typical of what I see in most “muscle car” era cars today.
Most of the muscle car era cars I see today seem to be loaded with bolt on modifications, and often equipped with a far more powerful than stock engine. Stroker engines, headers, MSD ignitions, Holley carbs, big cams, aluminum heads all seem to be common place amongst this era of cars. A lot are setup for drag racing type performance, but it does seem more often these cars are getting some brake and suspension upgrades (for functionality or bling).
Day 2 Camaro. This one has a period correct L88 swap, tires, wheels, and stance.
Another trend for the muscle cars I have seen “Day-Two” cars, where the owners have performed period correct modifications. These owners will modify their cars to represent not how they left the factory, but how many owners would have modified them back in that era. Modifications include things such as vintage engine swaps, wheels, headers, tachometers, shifters and carbs.
A mild 302 swapped into a ’57 Ford.
Then there are owners who do more subtle “stockish” type upgrades that often go unnoticed. They sometimes are done for small improvements, or may have to do with using parts that are cheap and available. It might be something like replacing that Powerglide with a Turbo-Hydramatic 350 because you had a spare one in the garage. Maybe replacing your worn out 289 with a 70’s de-smogged 302, because that’s all you could find in your budget. Or perhaps upgrading from a factory single exhaust to dual exhaust and swapping the points for a an electronic ignition.
Dual exhaust seems to be very common on classics, even though most had single exhaust originally.
A good example of this was Paul Niedermeyer upgrading his ’66 Ford truck from the three speed to the Warner T85 with the R11 Overdrive, as he discusses here. Other examples might be adding a larger engine, heavy duty suspension, a limited slip or factory style power disc brakes on a car original not equipped.
Here’s a ’64 Chevy and even though it’s a six, it’s loaded with modifications.
Of course there are lots of ways beyond what I discussed here to modify a car. And while I am pretty certain that most CC readers prefer their cars relativity stock, I sure most of us have some level of modification that they are okay with.
The seller calls this ’64 Chrysler 300 a survivor, but it has several modifications, like carb, intake, wheels, and even aftermarket steering wheel.
So that brings me to the question of the day? What modifications if any, are you okay with on a classic car?
Modern brakes, suspension, fuel system. I hate carburetors, points and everything that went with them. Electronic dash? Maybe, if it looked stock.
Other than that, the car must look factory – no painted bumpers that were chrome, nor non-stock-looking interior.
Please – no rat engines either. If I had a 67-69 Camaro with a 250/Powerglide, I’d be very, very happy!
Unfortunately, I will most likely never get the chance to find out what exactly I would or wouldn’t do. I can just dream…
My hot button is cheap no-name tires, especially if they have raised white letters. OK, period correct BFG T/A’s or Goodyear Polyglas are fine, but mismatched made-in-China tires on a $30000 investment is wrong. I know some older tire sizes are hard to find, but so are many of the other parts …
As for the
The only modifications to older cars that are acceptable are safety upgrades (brakes, suspension, steering, fuel systems), that don’t mar the visual asthetics of the vehicle.
One thing that really irks me is to see a beautiful old classic car that still has its original interior and some bozo decides to carve huge holes in the door panels, kick panels and rear parcel shelf to install big ugly speakers! Not to mention a trunk full of even bigger uglier subwoofers and amplifiers overtaking the entire trunk.
Not into the faddish stuff… ripping out the original dash cluster, TV-screen size rims, etc. Just using the shell and building a car in it. Other than that, have fun. Love the Day 2 Camaro posted. Don’t mind the mods that make the car more viable in modern times.
… I do know there is something about an unmodified car making it to this age, though. Kudos to whoever keeps the car all original.
I’m not big into visual modifications, and I prefer any such mods be tasteful. A chopped, eggshell blue 1940’s Mercury with a modern interior is too much. I appreciate period mods, and I am very big into upgrades. For example, throwing a 5.0 fuel injection system on an older 302 is something I’d enjoy. Also, I like to see strange engine swaps. Someday I’d like to see an old Ford Falcon fitted with a 3 cylinder from the Fiesta, or a BMW E30 with one of those new modular engines fitted.
How about an E30 BMW with a Buick 3.8 Turbo V6? Hartge, the BMW tuner, did it back in the late 80s.
If the modifications improve safety, handling and personal comfort, not a problem. I am also OK with what you call the “Day 2” modifications to make it look like a period-correct custom car, as well as the new drivetrains/suspensions etc. installed under the body of an older car. The Donks with those humungous rims I find horrible.
In the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club (LCOC), we are about preservation of the original car and we judge accordingly. However, we’ve recently allowed halogen headlights, radial tires and of course, seat belts (years ago) with no point deduction, because of safety issues and the desire to encourage carts to be driven to the shows.