Mod or Leave As-is?

[CV355]

I picked up a beautiful '69 Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet in October. The previous owner took incredible care of the car, it had a rotisserie restoration, but the "seal is broken" when it comes to originality in certain areas. It's a true Q-code, but there are little upgrades here and there so it's not a time-capsule original car.

I would love to do some tasteful modifications (for driveability, not performance) to the car, such as a rebuilt C6, a Flaming River steering gearbox, dash-mount or A-pillar gauge pods... Nothing crazy or that detracts from the classic nature of the car. The pie-in-the-sky would be a roots blower sticking through the hood, but I think I'll write that one off and focus on making it street-friendly.

At what point does a simple modification kill the value or essence of a classic? Where would you draw the line? My main purpose for the car would be car shows / garage queen, and emergency liquid asset.

 

[nxhappy]

life is too short man, mod the shit out of it, and drive it like mad man !

 

[TK1299]

I think cars like this are better left as original as possible unless it's a full resto mod. When I go to local car shows and see older muscle cars I like them pretty original. Minor upgrades for driveability aren't a big deal, but I would think gauge pods and a big weiand blower sticking out of the hood might detract from the car. Although the blower would be bad ass.

 

[Recon]

Keep it stock. But your car so make the decision you’re happy with.


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[derklug]

I would stay away from things that are visible from the outside, but would go ahead with steering, suspension and braking mods.

 

[MG0h3]

Agree with above. What mods have been done to it already?

 

[KingBlack]

leave it

 

[nxhappy]

also most mods are "reversible" so I wouldn't worry about anything

 

[HillbillyHotRod]

If it is number matching, I would try to take it back to original. But that is just me.

 

[offroadkarter]

Anything that can be bolted on / off without modifying the car and allow it to be put back to stock if need be, that would be fine IMO.

 

[VRYALT3R3D]

Q-Codes are a lot rarer than the R codes. I would modify it in a way that you can return it back to stock if need be. You should post pictures of it!

 

[Machdup1]

OP, its about what makes you happy. The only thing I would suggest to you is to do clean, professional work so I can give you the manly nod of approval when YOU POST PICS.

 

[4a7191a]

That's what I've done to my current restoration job. It's being done restomod which is like my own piece of art. But I've kept all the original parts I've taken off. Likely I'll never install them but ive got them just in case.

 

[CV355]

Agree with above. What mods have been done to it already?

5-lug conversion, 4.11's, ignition, Art Carr Reverse Manual VB, Longtubes, Magnaflow Dual, Various suspension upgrades, Boyd Coddington wheels, MT/ETs, electric fuel pump & block off plate, "cheater" cam (getting spec's). Overall it has a very stock look to it, very tasteful. I want to keep it that way, and I agree with several posters above that said to avoid doing anything to the exterior.

Interior is 100% stock except for the addition of oil pressure & coolant temp gauges to a small pod under the dash (no holes in the dash).

I've been to many car shows and I've never seen a '69 in this condition except for at one of the huge Tasca RI shows.

 

[COOL COBRA]

All my current cars are modded. If I had a '69 Mach, (my most fav car ever), I'd prefer it to be stock.
But in your case, it sounds like it'd take a ton of cash to get it back stock. So... have fun with it I guess.

 

[CV355]

All my current cars are modded. If I had a '69 Mach, (my most fav car ever), I'd prefer it to be stock.
But in your case, it sounds like it'd take a ton of cash to get it back stock. So... have fun with it I guess.

That's why I looked for one with the "seal is broken" restoration. It could be returned to stock but most of the upgrades were for driveability and durability.

 

[COOL COBRA]

That's why I looked for one with the "seal is broken" restoration. It could be returned to stock but most of the upgrades were for driveability and durability.

I gotcha, a modernized version of the baddest looking Mustang ever built!
What color is it?

 

[IronSnake]

I vote a gear vendors overdrive. It'll really help the driveability out and keep you from making your ears bleed on the highway.

 

[CobraBob]

I think cars like this are better left as original as possible unless it's a full resto mod. When I go to local car shows and see older muscle cars I like them pretty original. Minor upgrades for driveability aren't a big deal, but I would think gauge pods and a big weiand blower sticking out of the hood might detract from the car. Although the blower would be bad ass.

This! However, in the end you should really do what YOU want to do. I would try to stay within the realm of "tasteful and/or useful" mods to maintain as much of the period look and feel as possible. The more mods you add, potentially the more financial hit you'll take on a resale. But again, it should really end up being what you want it to be. You own it. You're driving it. It's yours to do whatever you want to do if you accept the potential downside.

Congrats! Enjoy it. Must be a beauty.

 

[DaleM]

If you want true value then move to original.

If you want to sell it after modding, expect to lose money unless you find the person who wants almost exactly what you have done or taking a direction they want to go.

It is your car and if not doing car shows build her up to what you have dreamed about.



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