Hello again all! I would like to hear from various members with various cars for this question.

When considering a restoration / restomod (correct term?) what have you done to the interior / exterior of your vehicle?

Are there some things you consider off limits to changing?

How about taking your vehicle to a car show? Are there any changes that judges seriously frown upon?

One thing I had considered changing in my vehicle was the type of wood grain finish that GM used. They seem to have a addiction to "standard" wood grain when their rivals in Europe for example went with a burl look. I would honestly prefer a burl walnut finish instead of traditional for example. Any thoughts on that?

One of the changes I made to my vehicle was the audio system. I just couldn't find a replacement head unit for mine and when I finally did the price was outrageous (talking about 500 dollars for the one I found). Has anyone upgraded the audio system in their vehicles including speakers and amps but kept the original look (no extreme modifications for speakers for example).

My mechanic suggested taking my car to a local car show to see if I could win in the category for my car but I felt my car wasn't in the best of shape for it. After attending a car show though and seeing most of the vehicles had similar or worse issues than my car I am reconsidering it (I had thought with car shows those bad boys were basically show room new with NO flaws).

Curious to hear all the input! Y'all have a great one!

 

My personal opinion as far as car shows, good way to meet other like minded owners, and network for parts, info, or just hanging out and have a relaxing. Don't really care about trophy or plaques or that sort of thing, the fellowship with other enthuasists.

Unless you are going for a survivor category or all original, I would look to upgrades for brakes, steering, tires, to make the car safer to operate. You are moving 2 tons of lethal steel, depending on how heavy your right foot is.

 

I go against the grain, considering the posts I read from members here. I am a customizer. I have no problem removing emblems, handles, hood ornaments, chopping tops, changing lights, grills, side trim.
Most of the cars I do work on, have been rejected by restorers, so IMHO, they have no claim to complain!
I can see not changing a rare, or desireable, unusual vehicle, though. At least nothing that couldn't be changed back to stock easily. So 442's, Starfires, are safe and should be left as is. But I dont' see any problem modifying other, more common cars. Changing engines to larger more powerful ones, changing the stock color, interior, etc. can even be reversed later on, if one wants to restore it. If it's OK to cut apart a car for parts, why not be able to cut it apart, perhaps using pieces from other vehicles, and keep it on the road, even if not in it's original style? Most cars look better with a mild lowering and removal of gaudy trim anyway!
I have a 55 Olds 98 Holiday coupe that I customized back in the early 80's. While I kept the original driveline, I added 3 x 2's, air conditioning, tilt-tele steering, and other creature comfort, to add to the factory PS, PB, seats and windows. I radically customized the body as well, with chopped top, 57 Olds rear window, Packard tails, T Bird headlights, and Desoto grill. While the car is probably a bit rare, it was in pretty bad condition, and needed extensive rust repair. I drove it all over the country to custom car shows, and racked over 160 K miles on it. Been in quite a few magazines, too!
No regrets!
So go on, customize your ride!

 

I see no reason not to do with you vehicle what you want, my personal preference is pretty much stock in appearance, however safety upgrades for staying ahead of traffic (cam, blower, nitros) is my preferred choice. Drag raced for many years, but also like the custom jobs. Cut my teeth on the pocket sized Car Craft, Rod and Custom, and magazines like that back ibn the mid to late 50s'.

Not trying to offend anybody, was just stating a personal opinion. One of the first cars I ever drove was a 55 98 sedan, had factory air. This was about 1961, started my love of Oldsmobile.

 

I felt the same way as you when it comes to car shows. But like "golden rocket" said, the best thing about the shows is the networking that you can do for parts, paint, etc...


When it comes to audio, I went with a new system, nothing that will blow the windows out (but I'm too old for that anyway). I just wanted clear sound w/o having to carve up the dash. Try classiccarstereos.com.
http://www.classiccarstereos.com/196...o-usa-230.html
They are not very expensive at all, and the new stereo is almost "plug and play" into your dash. For speakers, I went to OPGI.com and picked up new kick panels with the speakers built in. Those are literally a 5 minute install! And the added bonus of not cutting up the car for a new speaker location.


But, it's your car! Have fun with it and do what you want (and what your budget allows). If you are not comfortable with it safety-wise, audio, look, etc..., you will never completely enjoy it.

 

ChopOlds saved me a bunch of typing.

 

It's your car do what you want with it. Just make sure to keep it on the road and off of a trailer.

FWIW, I did add an aftermarket radio and speakers to my 71 98 (I still need to start a new thread on it). I put an aftermarket single DIN head unit on the floor in a universal box and kept the original AM/FM radio in the dash.

 

It is yours, do what you want. I have my own opinions, and that is where they stay, with me. I don't worry what others think. Doing my own work, I know it ain't perfect, but I know the blood and sweat I have in it and how many can say they did 90 % of a complete rebuild? I detest those that say I did this to it and they paid someone to do it.
The only time I disagree with mods is on a rare factory original survivor or number matching car.
But I do have other peeves, but who am I to judge?

 

Again IMHO, outside of the rare examples of any make that really ought to remain pure, the cars that were meant as transportation for the masses are blank slates to do with as you wish. The hot rodding hobby is an anything goes venture. For those that want to keep their cars original, numbers matching, great its your choice. For those that make them into a vision that they want, kudos to them too. I'm of the opinion that the person footing the bill to fix up a car is the only one entitled to the decision making process. I personally don't care whether you did all the work yourself or built a car through your wallet they all have proud owners.

Have I or others commented on cars that don't meet personal tastes, sure we do. In all honesty it should not detract from the only person that matters, you.

 

Years ago I had a SS396 Chevelle I was doing a frame off resto on. Before I could finish I was bored to tears with the car. I ended up getting a 300 Deluxe (base model) Chevelle/Malibu dash board for it so mine would be different than the other 10 Chevelles at the show. I was going to leave the console out also. Had to be different. My point is, I would have been happier and the crowd would likely hated it. Who cares it was mine!


I love seeing 100 point resto's, original survivors and customs of all types.
If worried about resale only change (to your liking) the stuff you can easily change back.

 

Prior to replacing my package tray, I installed 1" thick plywood spacers attached to the metal panel from below. This allows me to install my stock package tray cover on top and attach speakers and amp to the plywood from below. I run an input wire to the front seat under the carpet for my ipod. I guess I could install a Bluetooth amp now if they available. The whole thing is hidden unless you crane your neck while looking in the trunk.

 

I'm really enjoying reading all the responses so far! Great to hear input.

So far the only thing I have changed really is upgrading the Opera Lamps which didn't work at all to LED (using diffusion paper it looks pretty good, basically like a current limousine with opera lamps as it does have that slight dot effect).

I had to use a horn pad from a 87 Olds 98 when I replaced the steering wheel (which I do like better, the horn is more responsive oddly enough though I rarely use it).

The audio system I had installed was tricky due to restrictions of space inside the cabin. Used MTX Thunder series in the cabin , with a Kenwood head unit that has handsfree calling features which I really like. Also have twin 12" MTX Terminator subs in the trunk with an appropriate amplifier. Friends can hear me blocks away.

I really like the modern clean lines of this car for its time so I am trying to maintain. I do want to change the wood grain for sure as I think burl looks better. Looking forward to other changes in the future too.

I hope the replies keep on coming!

 

Well, nothing bores more than walking past the 10th Mustang or R/T ( badged) Charger at car show.. Especially when they all look the same.... Theres a Place for both, and modified ones for sure get the same attention than original examples. And if the original bores you, why keep it that way? Isnt it supposed to give you enjoyment?

One funny thing ive noticed amongst the "purist", is that despite all self-imposed restrictions, adding biggest engine available to, lets say for a car originally with 350, is totally acceptable..