Overhaulin'

Your Preference for Classic Cars: Customization or Restoration?

I am somewhat of an amateur auto enthusiast. Right now, I find myself in a pretty good position to purchase a 60s-70s model fixer-upper to either customize or restore... but one primary concern is the car's future value as it relates to my immediate choice of customization/modernization, or total restoration. My personal preference since I will be driving the vehicle often, is customization. I would like to modernize the interior, electrical, A/V system, engine, exterior, etc. I have no problem with restoration, but I just feel like customization/modernization is the best bet for me to be comfortable driving. I have heard professional car customizers/installers say that CUSTOMIZED classic vehicles often do not hold value throughout the years... and often lose value beyond the cost of what was actually put into upgrades... but that factory-condition/RESTORED classic cars DO hold their value. Is this true? What, if any, value loss am I looking at if I customize vs. restore? Just to clarify... I am not doing this to turn around and resell... I am doing it to have a "cool" car to drive around. But, I guess what I worry about, is buying the car for $3,000... putting $5,000 of upgrades into it... but only being able to get $4,000 or $5,000 for the vehicle if I ever DO decide to sell it (because it is custom vs. original condition). I am just trying to guage whether the loss in value due to customization actually exists, and whether or not it is significant enough to impact my decision of taking on this project. :) FYI those numbers I threw out were just guesses... I anticipate spending significantly more the whole way around, but you get what I am trying to say (I hope).

Public Comments

1. It's a matter of choice of course. The purists will say it has to be factory original despite the lack of safety and comfort. Best bet is to do what you want to, and drive the car rather than worry about value for resale.
2. If you want the big money when you sell it, you'll have to COMPLETELY restore it to it's original VIN code. If I were you I would do a mix. Original paint and make a more comfortable but original style interior.
3. **EDIT** Yeah I understand what you mean.. Myself I like custom.. I want what I want. The reason why I build my own is to fix the "probs" I see with OEM.. I ask alot out of my car.. I want it to be lower weight, handle great, good acell and a low 1/4 mile ET, great driver, used for daily driver, get ok fuel mileage, etc.. The only OEM cars stock that can get me that is $45K plus vettes lol Your question of value will depend on buyer.. I used this before but its a good way to look at it.. Buyer A is a hot rodder, racer, etc Buyer B is a #'s matching, OEM, all stock guy Car is a pro street 71 chevelle, 572 cid 8-71 blown powered beast with full cage, tubbed, ford 9" rear, etc .. To buyer A this is a dream car, dream come true.. To buyer B it's a worthless pc. of crap.. Buyer A knows the value of the custom parts and labor involed in building the car... Buyer B knows this car will never be able to go back #'s matching so in his eyes a die cast toy model 71 chevelle is worth more **EDIT OFF** Plane and simply... In todays times you WILL NEVER get your money back out of a car you build, restore or customize.. The classic cars are too high now, parts aint cheap, etc etc.. And let me point out.. Youer not gonna buy one for 3K then put only 5K in it.. If your buying a $3,000 classic and want to restore it.. You will be spending probbly 10K to 13K doing so Same goes for custom builds. Heck I bought a 1988 camaro for $550.. I now have alittle over $14,000 in it 5 years later. I say screw the "value".. Just get a car you like and do to it what you want and what you like.. It's your money, your time and you'll be the one driving it. Build it to like and enjoy it, not to get the value of it up.