Hey folks, looking for some valuable advice. Can't decide whether to 1) Bodywork, paint, new graphics and new badges for my unloved over the years but rust free '82 Pace Car with 63k on the odometer, 2) Leave it as is and just drive it. Or 3) Sell it. Or perhaps a combination of the first two which seems to be a minor trend - you know, pdr all the dents and leave the exterior a bit rustic to show its character while making the interior nice and beefing up the performance and stereo.

If I had it painted I could continue on with re-doing the interior, wheels, and other things it needs. It's rust free, FOR REAL, so would be a perfect candidate for a nice re-spray, but then again, it's hard to know if it's worth the investment.

Thoughts???

 

I vote combo of 1 and 2
Can always replace the factory paint down the road- but can only do that once.

 

Hmmm.... what would I do if it were mine?

Is that factory paint? Anyways, I'd probably hold off on a repaint and get the interior to look as good as possible. The interior is pretty much where you spend most of your time. But be prepared to spend money once you start, though. I see seat covers, steering wheel, dash pad. BTW, you won't find another '82-'83 dash pad, maybe look into one of the companies that re-manufactures them. Looks like the shifter detent spring is broken, that will have to be addressed, too. People under estimate what an interior costs, it adds up fast.

Unfortunately, you won't get your money back on a full resto of an early car, even on a Pace Car. You could easily spend $15,000 and then have a $9,000 car. That's fine if you want to keep the car, not so fine if you are trying to get your money out of it.

 

All good comments!!! For now, it’s probably best for me to just do some pdr, remove the graphics, redo the seats and headliner, and shine it up as best I can and drive it.