leave my VC original or not

[chanoo]

Hi fella's
i picked up this 81VC L 3 or 4 months ago for $400 (deceased estate) most things are original and it doesn't seem to be stuffed around with
to much. All i've done is give it a good clean inside (was filthy) the door cards were terrible so i gave them a spay with a lighter tan (too light so will revert back to the right colour), and
gave it a paint, original colour Dynasty gold although i diid put a little more metalic fleck and pearl in it to give it a little more sparkle. Has original motor in it, 173 blue has been looked after well, has chrome wheel centres and rings got a road worthy and rego a couple of weeks ago, i drive it around 5 times a week maybe 150 kms.

My Question is do I leave it pretty much original and whats the appeal, are riggy dig ones becoming rare or should i stick some mags on it, bigger motor, get it tinted noisey exhaust
i know its up to me and what i prefer but i would like the opinion of you blocks and what would you do.
thanks
Chanoo

[chanoo]

Fella's apologise for the doubles

[DerekP]

Looks pretty clean but sadly it's only an 'L', or as we used to say back in the day a poverty pack. Dump a fully worked 308 into it and drop her down an inch or two with some tasteful alloys, not the 'fully sik' 19's you see kicking around these days - something that will complement the car - a little retro perhaps. Just my opinion but at the end of the day do what YOU want to do with it mate, whatever makes you happy.

[the_boozer]

An L with clothe seats , put a v8 in it and some alloy wheels do the brake upgrade while your at it, as its a 173 its never going to be desirable to my way of thinking (not that that means much) at least a mean v8 it will be fun to drive. If you want to change all the running gear lot of work what do you want to do with it?

[fuzzy2308]

thats a beautiful clean example of the old girl. keep her looking stock imo or do some engine work

[bogan_vk]

keep it in full grandpa spec inside and out just drop an injected 5lt in it or if your cashed up throw in a gen 3... sleeper ftw.

[Hangman]

keep it in full grandpa spec inside and out just drop an injected 5lt in it or if your cashed up throw in a gen 3... sleeper ftw.

This.

Leave it looking stock, and drop an 8 in it.

[ari666]

whats the point of asking this question?


what do YOU want to do with it? what do you want to use it for? do you often jump in it with dirty hands/clothes. do you often order drive though food. are you a festidious cleaner? do you like speed? or cruising? can you cope with 20ltrs to 100kms in fuel?

[chanoo]

whats the point of asking this question?


what do YOU want to do with it? what do you want to use it for? do you often jump in it with dirty hands/clothes. do you often order drive though food. are you a festidious cleaner? do you like speed? or cruising? can you cope with 20ltrs to 100kms in fuel?

the point of asking this question is if you had of read the first post and was able to comprehend its meaning, you would be know that i was after members valued opinion and i explained it was up to me and what i prefer. there is no harm in getting the opinion and thoughts of other people and quite often one's ideas and visions are enhanced by outside input. So that is why i asked the Question, i noticed that you did not offer an opinion,

Cheers chanoo

[Darren_L]

it's not really a collectable, and probably never really will be, so if you want to modify it, then go for it.

[180sc]

Im with darren, mod it to how you want it as its only an L its not very collectable and will probably gain some value with well exacuted mods.

[notthekingswood]

keep it stock and spend the money on a 308...make it look stock but do 12's
i'm keeping my vh wagon 'L' stock even down to the 14in wheels...bit hard to drive with the 4.2L/M21 combo in the wet but its fun and I am building a 355 for it currently but plan on keeping it all looking original right down to the aircleaner and decals.
there are not many early comms on the road so look after it.

[ari666]

i noticed that you did not offer an opinion,

no because i dont know you. i dont know how you drive, i dont know what you like and dont like, so who am i to judge.

if it were mine, and i was forced to keep it it'd be a efi 304 as everyone suggested.

[Glyn]

Perhaps one way to judge if its worth keeping as a "collectable" is to have a look at the market value of old holdens much older that yours and see where the value is. I think you'll find that very few things mass produced in large numbers ever become "colectable" and hence valuable.

I bought an FC holden in 1979 and agonised over the same decision. stock or modified. In the end I went modified mainly because it was a bloody horrible thing to drive in stock form. I still have that car now and love taking it out for occasional drives. The engine and drivetrain changes have made it a beautifull car to cruise in and its worth a lot more now than a stock one.

I think the name of the game is to be a little conservative and not turn it into a bottomless money pit. A lot of guys blow all their cash on all the latest tricky bits then get bored with it and practically give it away. Or worse still, get the GF preggers and need to swap it for a "family" car. Try not to spend too much more than you reckon you could recover if you sell it. You'll need to drop some cash, you will on any car.

My thoughts only

[ajvx01]

It's a nice rig mate, interior is similar to mine..
I chose to modify mine slightly/subtly and my car is similar although a 308 i chose to because that's what I WANT.

Do you want a nice low, v8, tuf old girl?

Or want to sell for a quick buck and buy a more appealing car to you?

Personally I think 308, manual and some better ofset mesh rims and it'd be tuf...

[c2105026]

Keep it original. Will be cheaper (maintenance cost on this would not be that high...) for you don't have to splash out on parts (whose expenditure you WILL NOT get back at time of sale), will be more saleable in the long run. Rather than modding mine I found it more interesting to find out the previous owners, research them, build up a history profile. Collect relevant memrobillia from the period (I have the original parts catalouge and dealer coffee table book for the VB LOL, and found an ad at the local library in the newspapers of a christmas '79 sale of commodores), stock it up with period accessories. Don't worry that its just a 173; 149 EHs are desireable these days too.

As for collectability; try finding any pre 1975 holden in excellent condition for under $10k. Many start at $15k.

[VK SL 3800]

Keep it original. Will be cheaper (maintenance cost on this would not be that high...) for you don't have to splash out on parts (whose expenditure you WILL NOT get back at time of sale), will be more saleable in the long run. Rather than modding mine I found it more interesting to find out the previous owners, research them, build up a history profile. Collect relevant memrobillia from the period (I have the original parts catalouge and dealer coffee table book for the VB LOL, and found an ad at the local library in the newspapers of a christmas '79 sale of commodores), stock it up with period accessories. Don't worry that its just a 173; 149 EHs are desireable these days too.

As for collectability; try finding any pre 1975 holden in excellent condition for under $10k. Many start at $15k.

I wont lie, i was waiting for you to post something like this.

Collect relevant memrobillia from the period (I have the original parts catalouge and dealer coffee table book for the VB LOL, and found an ad at the local library in the newspapers of a christmas '79 sale of commodores), stock it up with period accessories.

mwuhahaha:




But seriously you should try and find yourself one of those if you love that stuff, ive never seen another.

[c2105026]

Wow, that's pretty good; At the NSW All Holden Day this guy who had a VC Brock had - wait for it - the vinyl records they played over the dealership PA. He himself worked at the dealer and they recently had a clean out and found it gathering dust in the storeroom. Also had the full compliment of AC Delco car care products, unopened and unused. I bidded on an information booklet for visitors to the the pagewood plant (where my VB was built) but stopped bidding when I realised it was the wrong period.

But back to opening thread....simply shared what I did with mine; I have no regrets at all over it; hence was my suggestion. Would depend on one's interest in automobilia though (mine is quite high). Actually started doing similar thing with the VX, whilst the stuff is easier to find.....

[chanoo]

Hi fella's thanks for the replies, exactly what i was after people thoughts, idea's and what they have done to their own cars.
i like the fact that it hasn't been molested, what i was thinking to keep it as is and go and get another early comm. thats been played with, got the 308 in it
already etc etc. Anyway these plans may change.

Cheers Chanoo

[DAKSTER]

keep it stock and spend the money on a 308...make it look stock but do 12's
i'm keeping my vh wagon 'L' stock even down to the 14in wheels...bit hard to drive with the 4.2L/M21 combo in the wet but its fun and I am building a 355 for it currently but plan on keeping it all looking original right down to the aircleaner and decals.
there are not many early comms on the road so look after it.

If you are having trouble driving it in the wet with a 253 I recommend you leave the 355 for the big boys..