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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> General Beaumont Discussion -> Original or Modified ??
Post Info TOPIC: Original or Modified ??
To Modify or Not ?? [32 vote(s)]

Keep it as you found it
3.1%
Restore to as close to original as possible
12.5%
Safety Only Upgrades
15.6%
Don't cut anything & keep the original parts
25.0%
Whatever, so long as the body stays stock
25.0%
Anything goes - it's your car
18.8%
Other ??
0.0%
66 Beau


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Original or Modified ??
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I suspect this has been debated here before, but I did a search & didn't find it.

I expect there are polar opinions - because I can see both sides and I'm undecided.

I've got a '66 SD that's a pretty nice (if I say so myself) rust-free example.  So far I have kept my car what I think of as "semi-original".  By that I mean I have all the original parts (except the distributor and exhaust), but I have upgraded to a 330HP, 350 crate engine, 700R4, after market wheels.  The engine came with a long water pump, so I moved the alternator to the other side, and I've installed a set of gauges under the dash and it has dual exhaust.  I would also need a new driveshaft.

All these things could be reversed back to original fairly easily.  

Looking at the single piston master cylinder and feeling the brakes go away after slowing down from highway speeds a couple times always reminds me that a set of disc brakes would be a worthwhile upgrade.  While I'm in there, a set of lowerng spindles or springs would improve the handling and the look.  The solid steering column is also a fairly easy fix for improved safety, and ....

At what point is it too much?

There aren't many of these cars left and I do feel some responsibility to not mess it up.  I may sell it some day, but re-sale value isn't my main motivation.  I enjoy tinkering with it and Sunday drives on nice days.  I have also taken the car on 2000 mile vacations a couple times - though the family prefers the new car with a/c (I say roll down the window!!) so that hasn't happened for a few years.

What's the general consensus here?  I fully respect the right of an owner to do whatever he/she wants with his/her own car.  No criticism here.  I like 'em all.

Just looking for opinions.    Thanks!

Wes

(PS if I had the $$$ I'd get a Chevelle to modify the heck out of - but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon).

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4SPEED427


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I voted "safety upgrades" because I like original cars but the brakes on those cars are a concern!

However, I am a very strong "whatever, it's your car" because if you want to paint it green with pink polka dots, it's your car and it's nobody elses business!

I do feel it is important to preserve our unique Canadian cars so that they at least resemble the way they were made.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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davelacourse


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The power front disc brake kits can be easily installed with no cutting, if you want the front a little lower you can go with the lowered spindles as part of the package, the upgrade in braking is WAY worth it. You can carefully pack the original master cylinder and other brake parts away in case someone wants to restore it in the future.

My 2 cents smile.gif

Dave

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56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
davelacourse


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Carl Stevenson wrote:

I voted "safety upgrades" because I like original cars but the brakes on those cars are a concern!

However, I am a very strong "whatever, it's your car" because if you want to paint it green with pink polka dots, it's your car and it's nobody elses business!

I do feel it is important to preserve our unique Canadian cars so that they at least resemble the way they were made.


Hah! Carl beat me to the punch, I thought I would be first respnder, I guess I type too slow smile.gif

I agree with Carl 99%, the exception is the pink polka dots, I would not go along with that, eh? biggrin

Dave

 



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56Pontiac  1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod

  1964 Acadian Beaumont SD convert, 283 - factory 195 hp, Powerglide, 3.08 10-bolt - Cruiser

  2012 US-built crew cab truck - Daily Driver and Boat Trailering
DANO65


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I'm with Dave, It's your car do what ever makes YOU happy, that what this is all about isn't it? We all got here from different paths with different ideas but the one thing that is common to all of us is we are having FUN with our cars, each in a different way but having Fun is what it's all about. So do whatever lets YOU enjoy the car more and don't worry about it. Save whatever you change if you plan on getting rid of the car so the next owner has the choice.
Just my 2 cents

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65 Impala SS 2dr HT
65 Impala convert.
59 Impala 2dr HT
67 Acadian Canso 2dr HT

 

 

 
mike67sd


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Im definitely going with some fibreglass fender flares and repro Cheetah emblems this Spring!!!

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87 player bird


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It's your car. Do what you want. There will always be The car show gurus that know it all any, so enjoy your ride. Personally I try to keep 'em plain stock depending on the car of course. 69 gto rag, bone stock, 80 z-28 modded. You see where I'm goin with this? Enjoy YOUR toy. Cheers :D

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66 Beau


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QUOTE:

Im definitely going with some fibreglass fender flares and repro Cheetah emblems this Spring!!!

_____________________________________________________________________

You mean those after-market Cheateh emblems? Too kool dude.

Need some sidepipes, some N50's on slots with BIG airshocks (maybe a 4 inch spacer on top of the spring perch too) and huge snorkel scoop to cover the dual quad and tunnel ram - all to go along with those fibreglass fender flares. Maybe a rectangular headlight conversion too!

Ok - maybe the rectangular headlights are pushin' it.

-- Edited by 66 Beau on Friday 26th of March 2010 02:48:26 PM

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Johann65


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If you are going to drive it regulary then do the safety upgrades. I drive my 65 Canadian Malibu everyday and had to upgade the brakes as the engine outperforms the safety limit of the brakes. Can become SCARY!!!!

I believe in Canada the speed limit is 110kmh, here it is 120kmh and with some of the drivers on the road you need good brakes!  The real average speed is more like 150kmh.

-- Edited by Johann65 on Friday 26th of March 2010 03:04:18 PM

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Ah yes! I remember it well!!! (With Pictures)

  1. 1965 Malibu 4dr Sedan L6 (Original)
  2. 1975 Chevrolet Kommando 305 (Monaro Clone)
  3. 2000 Peugeot 406 2.0L
  4. 1996 VW Golf Chico
66 Beau


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Johann65 wrote:

If you are going to drive it regulary then do the safety upgrades. I drive my 65 Canadian Malibu everyday and had to upgade the brakes as the engine outperforms the safety limit of the brakes. Can become SCARY!!!!

I believe in Canada the speed limit is 110kmh, here it is 120kmh and with some of the drivers on the road you need good brakes!  The real average speed is more like 150kmh.

-- Edited by Johann65 on Friday 26th of March 2010 03:04:18 PM


That's what I was thinking with the brakes.  All GO, no WHOA is usually a bad combination.

 



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03cts sport


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Keep whatever comes off, and take pictures of them before they come off. Any of the original parts that you don't have now, get 'em while you can even if you don't install them. As mentioned before, I love the look of your car. I have always preferred old school, but at the same time resto-mod's are a nice way to go. (For example, I like the idea of the 17' steelies, or 17" 'vette ralley wheels that are being produced. And I'm tired of my powerglide.)

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65post


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Don't cut anything & keep the original parts.......

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ak 67sd


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mike67sd wrote:

Im definitely going with some fibreglass fender flares and repro Cheetah emblems this Spring!!!



Hey Mike, sounds like we'll both have our cheater 'cheetahs' out this year!!hahaha!

I'd say any mods you do to improve the driveability of the car will not alter the value in any negative way!  and as 65post said, you can do all these things without cutting up the car... brakes, springs, cherokee steering box, wheels, sway bars....all bolt ons!!

ak



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norontcan


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My personal preference is to keep as car as close to original as possible. Please, anyone, don't go about trying to improve on an extremely low mileage original. There's too few of them left.
Having said the above - safety upgrades are always adviseable especially if upgrading the engine and driveline.
However, it is your personal car and you can custom make it to your tastes ( ok maybe the spouse also gets a say)

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03cts sport


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Speaking of safety, how about rear seatbelts like these?


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