I'm a bit torn here.... not sure what direction to go.

my 88 is pretty much bone stock right now. Only thing "Modified" is the radio and speakers..

I'm building this car for me and my wife. Not to sell.

Stereo will remain aftermarket. I have a Alpine setup from a previous car that will be installed.

I know a fully restored car is going to be worth more money... but if I decide to go a bit custom, is it going to hurt the Value significantly? I'm not talking about anything radical mind you.... I need to replace the hood for one. do I go with a Stock Iroc Hood or get something Fiberglass? I like how a hood can really set a car apart from the crowd.. Not that the Iroc COnvertible market is crowed.... but you understand?

The only other major deviation would be the Paint. Its white now, but it will get repainted. I'd like to go to a Pearl White with some subtle "80's-ish" painted graphics... maybe something like a hand lettered "Iroc-Z" on the side.. nothing extreme mind you....

I guess I'm just looking for opinions on whether or not to keep it stock, or personalize it.

If you're building for enjoyment and not to sell, do whatever the heck you want with it. I say this from personal experience, when literally the body panels and dash are the only things original on my car... Except the spoiler I added, so even the body isn't stock anymore lol

i have the same problem. i like driving a custom it shows a little of your personality.i think some of these cars were produced just for that reason. but if i had an iroc 1le or any thing close i would keep it stock. these cars just look better with a little less ride height an some 17s or 18s. the color doesnt even matter as long as the whole car is the same.

Do it to enjoy. Forget the value later because it probably will be a long time till its worth the trouble. Enjoy the moment!!!!!!

To help the car retain as much value as possible, whatever you choose to do, do it right.

I was at a car show that had hundreds of cars present last month. The majority of the 70's era muscle cars that were there were hardly stock anymore. But, to the interested viewer, I feel that as long as the bolt on's are 'top brand names' and look neat and tidily installed, the car will project the impression that its owner cared about what went into it. If the car looks good overall (exterior, interior, engine compartment), I don't think someone is going to frown on the car not being stock. In my opinion, a 'hack' appearance will be the biggest factor in a car not getting top dollar.

Thanks folks. Just needed a little reinforcement that I wasnt going to "ruin" the car. I'm not planning on going overboard at all.. Budget wont allow for that... the body is clean except for the hood, which is why I was looking at aftermarket hoods. the Paint will also be professionally done. I have several friends interested in helping in that department so it wont cost an arm and a leg.

Other than that, just basic bolt on and cleanup. Exhaust, clean up the engine bay, and cleanup of the interior.

I just checked it out and it made me laugh. I'm 40 this year too and in '85, a classmate (whose Father ran a dealership) drove to school in his first car; a brand new '85 Iroc. I had seen the third gen style previously but hadn't seen an advertisement for the Iroc and therefore, hadn't known it had existed. In its (obviously) stock form, I immediately fell in love with it and vowed to someday own one. 23 years later, I bought one and although for an occasional driver it can be a pain in the *** (I'm installing new positive, negative and alternator cables to hopefully solve yet another problem - after I finish this message) when I stand back and look at the car, I can't help but sometimes smile at this cool looking car I own.

I always modify engines. I like the look of the 3rd gen verts they are shaped like a bullet. The mid sixties vetts are shaped like a bullet and that big block stinger hood is the holy grail of hoods. I usually modify the radio and speakers like most people do. I always loved the console clock our cars had early on and all my cars have that. If you like it; use it. Its the American way especially if you are going to keep it. Our cars are reaching the age where originality is starting to come into play. I am thinking of porting my original tuned port unit and a set of 113 vett heads to keep it era original with a LT-4 HOT cam since I don't care if my vert is fast. I have other cars for fast. It's a fun thing to think about. The hotter a motor is the less street friendly it is and my vert is a cruiser.

Like BlueZee said, if you plan on keeping the car then do whatever your heart desires. However, don't expect to get your money back if you ever do decide to sell it. My dream plan for my 91 TA vert (1 of 555 made) involves a 6 speed swap with a 383 once time/money allows for it. So I'm all for tasteful mods.

My 88 was also bone stock when I got it. Over the past 2 years or so I have modified it into what I like and want from my car with no regard to future prices etc.

Enjoy. Live it. One life, live it!!