"Customize" it or leave it alone?

by Roadcaptain S3 Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:19 pm

Back in the spring I got a great deal on a real barn find 77 Malibu Classic. Literally in a barn.
44000 original miles, 2 owners, all original car, minus a repaint of the original buckskin and clear coat.. Still has the factory stickers in the engine bay.

I bought it to build it into the car I had as a kid because my old car was crushed about five years ago. I was going to change it over from 77 to 74 front and maybe back ends, switch from bench to swivels and console etc. then paint it, recreating my first car.

Now I'm thinking that:

A. This car might be way too nice and original to tinker with. Probably not a lot of factory original 73-77 cars left out there.
B. I'm fortunate to probably be able to afford a decent 74 that's a little beat on and change it over.
C. Change it over but don't change anything that can't be easily changed back, keeping anything I take off.

If this car was an original 66 or 68 in this condition it would be worth TONS O CASH! But it ain't so I'm not sure it's worth preserving.

Thoughts?

by driveit Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:28 pm

I would go for c. I am all about customizing and making it your own, but if you plan to sell it down the road then I would make sure it can be returned back. If you don't plan on selling it as I don't mine, then I wouldn't worry about it and just have fun.

by chevellelaguna Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:40 pm

A plain jane 77 malibu isn't going to collect a huge windfall, especially because it probably only came with a 305. With 44,000 miles on the clock that car has already lived half it's life.....on an anemic motor ....to begin with. I say live your dream, build what you want... How you want it. LOL....save that smog motor and put it under your workbench, it'll make a cool "numbers matching" boat anchor! Mines one of 864 built...apparently... Doesn't make it more valuable than others.... Unless someone really wants it...to live out their dream.

by pila Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:46 pm

Only thing about customizing a car, depending on how far you go, it becomes an odd-ball of sorts, if not done in good taste. Everyone here knows what I mean about some so-called "custom" cars...
Bottom line to me is, anyone can hack up a car, but with good taste & ideas, it becomes a work of art.

Dollar value aside, it depends what you want.

by Roadcaptain S3 Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:49 pm

chevellelaguna wrote:A plain jane 77 malibu isn't going to collect a huge windfall, especially because it probably only came with a 305. With 44,000 miles on the clock that car has already lived half it's life.....on an anemic motor ....to begin with. I say live your dream, build what you want... How you want it. LOL....save that smog motor and put it under your workbench, it'll make a cool "numbers matching" boat anchor! Mines one of 864 built...apparently... Doesn't make it more valuable than others.... Unless someone really wants it...to live out their dream.

You'd be surprised. I traded a Mustang GT worth about 2k for my 75 Laguna. Sold the Laguna a couple years later for a tidy profit. More guys in my age group are beginning to appreciate and look for Lagunas. I had a lot of comments on mine, and a few offers to buy it. They are probably worth quite a bit more now than they were five years ago. Interest is growing in 70s cars. Some of the old guys on this forum will tell you there is more interest now than just a few short years ago.

EDIT: Sorry dude, didn't realize you ARE one of the old guys. My bad. I'm a little rusty.

by Roadcaptain S3 Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:53 pm

pila wrote:Only thing about customizing a car, depending on how far you go, it becomes an odd-ball of sorts, if not done in good taste. Everyone here knows what I mean about some so-called "custom" cars...
Bottom line to me is, anyone can hack up a car, but with good taste & ideas, it becomes a work of art.

Dollar value aside, it depends what you want.

Hey Pila! Long time.

My plans were pretty much to build my old 74 Malibu Classic with buckets, but drop in a crate 350 and 700r4, like I did with the Laguna.

by driveit Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:56 pm

I am looking to get a few more cars done before Christmas. Sounds like I have plenty of time, but I don't. I would however be glad to do a rendering for you of the car with any ideas you may have. Just let me know.

by pila Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:04 pm

Swapping in a "better" Very Happy

engine & transmission, is what I would call an "update" What can I say, my Elco sports a 507 inch Caddy ! Very Happy

by driveit Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:10 pm

Had a chance to go with a big caddy motor myself, but it slipped away.

by chevellelaguna Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:09 pm

LOL I'm one of the "old guys".... I almost peed myself, wouldn't matter though cause us old guys wear Depends. I can't believe I'm an Old guy! You are right about the popularity in the past several years, I remember when no one would give these cars a second look...or would admit to them looking cool...at the time. I like em, I like what the younger group is doing with them, and that they are passionate as I was/still am about them.
Damn... Old guy LOL I really like the "edit"!!

by Roadcaptain S3 Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:16 pm

Hey, I got you by a few years. I don't think (or feel) I'm old, but my kids beg to differ. If we played pro ball, we'd have been commentators for years by now.

I've been surprised by some of the prices these cars are getting, like double what they were a few years ago. Like 6 or 8000 instead of 2 or 3k. Still inexpensive, but but appreciating just the same. That's why I'm alittle reluctant to chop on this one too much .

by bigredlaguna Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:18 pm

Customize it. The interest is mainly in the S3 and SS cars. Other than that, the interested people are just going to change it to there liking anyway.

by Roadcaptain S3 Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:35 pm

True...I think it's a mistake to do too much to an SS or S3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181576406204?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

by bigredlaguna Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:48 pm

I saw that a while ago. Wheels can be changed. Green is harder for me to overlook. It looks like a good solid car, but not 10,000 worth of good.

by Limey SE Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:21 am

77's are a hard find, But if me would still make to my liking, with the 305 I would swap it for a better power plant, or build it the way you want it. maybe 5.3 ls swap .....

by Dinomyte Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:28 am

Just my $0.02 worth but, the car's yours right now. Make the change you want. Make it what you like. Just keep in mind that somebody else may not like it. (Read "that's their problem") If you're concerned keep in mind that going back to original should be an option.

I've got a '77 Malibu Classic, that was in great shape when I got it. I've "upgraded" the engine, rear end, working on the interior right now (swivel buckets from bench), and have a '75 Laguna nose in waiting, not to mention side pipes and probably a 200-4r trasnmission are in the plan to do category. All of these things can be undone. All of them though make the car what I'd wanted as a teenager.

The value of the car I don't believe has changed much, and my boys and I have had fun doing it, which is worth more than what ever value the car might have lost. Not to mention we drive the car and enjoy it, which can't be good for keeping it's value up.

NOW - According to my neighbor 70 is the new 50, which means 45 is the new 25, so we're all still young. Unfortunately this means 28 is the new 8 so driveit needs to give back the keys Wink

LOL.

by Roadcaptain S3 Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:32 am

Actually, I like the 305. I tweaked it a little when I got it home and got a little more out of it. Just opening up the exhaust went a long way towards a little more umph.

Also, keep in mind I've become more of a cruiser than a racer. I don't wanna be that guy that spends big for 500 HP and spends most of his time parked under a tree in a lawn chair...ha!

Most of the stuff I'm thinking on right now is just cosmetic stuff

After all the comments, I'm leaning towards just changing stuff that can be reversed easily,much like Dinomyte.

BUT...there is a 74 Laguna and 75 Classic nearby for pretty cheap. Very Happy

by dynchel Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:11 pm

On my moms 305 2 bbl equipped camaro (1976) removing the converter, and putting a good aftermarket exhaust (dynomaxx pipes & a muffler shop performance muffler) made a decent "seat in the pants" improvement.

by Roadcaptain S3 Sat Nov 08, 2014 12:13 pm

Exactly what I did. Dynomax muffler as well, sounds good too, with just a little rumble.

by Dinomyte Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:25 pm

Try a Q-jet and manifold swap too. It'll breath better.

by Limey SE Sat Nov 08, 2014 2:54 pm

I would not be afraid to customize it to your taste, like mentioned its a 77 305 not a very desirable motor but you can have fun with it drop a 4 barrel on it ( if doesn't have one ) the exhaust will help it breathe better as you found out. Just have some fun with it.

by bracketchev1221 Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:25 pm

Limey wrote:I would not be afraid to customize it to your taste, like mentioned its a 77 305 not a very desirable motor but you can have fun with it drop a 4 barrel on it ( if doesn't have one ) the exhaust will help it breathe better as you found out. Just have some fun with it.

This pretty much covers it. The collectibilty of these cars just isn't there. it doesn't sound like you are that interested in getting too wild on it. As long as you don't try to pass it off as something more rare than it is, go to town. My Nova was an SS350, 4 speed car. When I sold it the motor was a hydraulic roller, aluminum head 355. HOWEVER, the short block was the numbers matching block with factory compression ratio. I did have the original heads, and if someone chose to they could have put an L-48 hydraulic flat tappet back in. But the new owner thought the engine as I had built it was much more fun than a stock L-48 350.

by Roadcaptain S3 Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:34 pm

I've pretty much decided to go with just changing out the interior to buckets and console. I've already gone from the 77 front to a 74 grill and 75 headlight buckets. I'll keep anything I take off/out.

I agree that there isn't much collectible value on 'em yet, but you never know.

I appreciate the input fellas.

Now the dreaded part hunt begins. Barf

by Dinomyte Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:48 pm

Good luck finding what you're looking for.

I've spent years looking for chrome rocker moldings. I've stopped and decided that I'll live without them. Most of the other stuff can be found with some patience and asking.

by Roadcaptain S3 Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:56 pm

I've found some seats and consoles. Trying to figure out which are the best deal. When I did this a few years ago, the darn seat belts were the hardest thing to find.

by Sponsored content

"Customize" it or leave it alone?

"Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?

Re: "Customize" it or leave it alone?