Restore or Modernize

[NICK3757]

I need help! Should i restore my truck or modernize it. It has 39,300 miles on the clock that are actual miles and runs good. But it needs valve seals and it is a pain driving it in the city. Right now it has non-power drum brakes, non-power steering, 307, and a 3 speed on the column. I do have a brand new 305 that i was going to use in another project but that got a big block. Should i keep the 307 or put in the 305 with a fully powdercoated tpi setup, a 700r4, p/s, p/b, p/w, shaved doors, slammed w/5 lug wheels, maybe 18's, and a new cd player in the dash. So. what do ya'll think?

[stomper]

I say modernize the drivetrain with a hot small block, 700r, ps, pb, etc.. Give it a drop with big Torqe Thrusts and rubber. Above all, leave the interior, vintage lettering, and patina of the body - including all the dings and scratches.

What's the history of the truck? Parts chaser?

[NICK3757]

The dealer is behind my house, about a block away. They oppened up in the 30's and have been a pontiac dealer until they closed in 95 or 96. The son, who i bought the truck from, went to a chevy dealer to get a parts/ service truck. When they got there his father pointed to this one and siad, "oh, thats a cute one." They picked it up and brought it back home. The truck was actually never registered. It said on the title, " do not register, taxes unpaid." So i am waiting for the title to come back from harrisburg and them to ***** about something. Another problem with the truck is that is is milage exempt on the title. but it has 39,300 origional miles and they most likey wont put the mileage on the title. But back to the story. They used this truck as the tow truck/ parts delivery truck. The guy who just closed his body shop in the other part of the building is good friends with us. He said that he never saw the truck without a car chained to the back. (Anybody got some chrome bumpers for sale?) I'm only 17 and the first time i saw this truck i must have been 12 or 13. He said he was never going to sell the truck. Fastfoward 4 years and i go down after school to help jack, the bodyshop guy, clean out his shop. I saw gene there and asked him about the truck and said he'd think about it. He was thinking for about a month when he told jack that he would sell it to me. He said that, "i gotta ask jack(a different jack) if he still wants it." Jack wanted the the engine and trans for a 50's wagon. He is also alot older than i am. Gene asked jack if he still wanted it because i wanted to buy it and jack went crazy. He said " hell yea i still want it." That was on a saturday. The price for him was $600. Gene was going to sell it to me for $500. He never showed up on tuesday to transfer the title, so when i stopped in between school and vo tech, gene gave me his phone number. I got to tech and gave him a call and after about going on for 15 or 20 minutes about how he wanted it for so long he decided on $800 for it. So now i got this truck that really needs floors, cab mounts and some major body work and i don't know what to do.
P.S. Genes father invented slot cars. He never got the credit by he did. I will stop by and try to get the a copy of the sheet he has in the showroom.

[68 P.O.S.]

I vote rebuild/modernize the org 307 (I just like original engines for some reason) and modernize the brakes as well. Drop in a 200 or 700 tranny, 4/6 lowering kit, and some wide white walls. Leave the paint job as is and drive the hell outta it.

[NICK3757]

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

I vote rebuild/modernize the org 307 (I just like original engines for some reason) and modernize the brakes as well. Drop in a 200 or 700 tranny, 4/6 lowering kit, and some wide white walls. Leave the paint job as is and drive the hell outta it.

Do you have any pics of these trucks with wide whites?

[see ten]

I agree with the previous posts! This truck is begging for some drop and big rims! Old shop trucks are super popular these days. Just do what makes you happy!

[Big Block]

Drop it like its hot! Slam it, big wheels and tires, and new drivetrain. Go for it. Your truck could be bad!

[weasel29gm]

HOT ROD IT!!!!!!!! nuff said!!!!

[MXmaniac]

I would modernize the mechanicals, lower it, smoothie wheels and whitewalls, and leave the body the way it is. Kind of an old school shop truck look.

[N2TRUX]

This is what I would do...

[19673ontree]

I would restore that truck but not back to like new but like the dealer fixed it new , I would restore it and put the dealer name lettering back on and everything the dealer did to it I would redo now , that truck has history and it has character it would be a super cool truck at cruz in's and would most likely get a lot of attention , I would love to have a 60's car or truck with a story like that , if you do customize it and hack it up you will regret it later when you realize what you could have had ,,,, I'm done
nice truck !

[ChevyDude]

Resto-mod!!!

[jimmydean]

I would upgrade things like the brakes/suspension/engine and keep the stock looks.

[Spray-Bomb]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

I would upgrade things like the brakes/suspension/engine and keep the stock looks.

X2

I would lower it & keep the wheels that are on it, & Whatever you do don't touch that sweet paint

[67 cst swb]

I totally agree with stomper & 68 P.O.S.
upgrade the drivability, but leave the body, just buff and drive baby...

[Bamm]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

I totally agree with stomper & 68 P.O.S.
upgrade the drivability, but leave the body, just buff and drive baby...

I wouldn't even buff it. I say bag it, with some 18's and go through the engine with new gaskets and such (or whatever is needed) and leave everything else the way it is. ..........Bamm!

[shifty]

i asked the same question when i came here - it was one of my first posts, actually. i will tell you this:

do what YOU want to do, and not what someone else TELLS you to do in a poll.

things are a lot more meaningful when you decide what you want and work towards it, versus someone telling you what would be best and you doing it.

[69BBsuburban]

Slammed with some 18" Cragars or E-T's would RULE.

NO wide white walls.....only look good on early 60's and OLDER.........

Cool project for sure!

[67ChevyRedneck]

A mix of the two. Enjoy it for a while. Upgrade brakes/suspension as you go. Mess with a body panel here and there... then tear it down for a rebuild.

[NICK3757]

Thanks for the input. I'm starting to think to drive it this summer and then do the mechanical and i would really like to fix the sheet metal and make it look new.

[BACKYARD88]

I guess I'll be the first to say I don't care for the patina paint/shop logo stuff. If you had a shop and it was you're logo then cool, but I say fix it up like YOU want it, shiny paint, big wheels, dropped, whatever you like. I'd suggest cruising around the board and look at pics, decide what aspects you like in other folks' trucks and combine them into you're own creation. I did vote modernize though, I'm not into the stock restorations either.

[OLDIRON69]

Yo money, Yo truck! i would fix the mechanicals first too. It sounds like you have a nice project on your hands. Make it safe, front disc/4 w disc?? New motor and tranny...the winter for you guys is body work time right? Jump on the rust then, take it down to the frame!

[glock35ipsc]

If it were me, I would modernize the drive train....FI motor, 4 speed auto, etc. Lower it a little, but restore the body to it's glory days. Have all the lettering reproduced just like it is. That would be cool!

But, in the end, it's your truck. Don't build someone else's dream. Build your dream!

[jamis]

A classical modernization is whats needed

[Stoney]

Restore