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Restore or customize?

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Old May 11, 2018 | 10:31 PM
  #1  
Sactodreamer's Avatar
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Car: 84 Trans AM W62
Engine: 5.0
Restore or customize?

My son bought an 84 TA with 64k original miles on it. It's a very clean car for its age. He actually wants to do a Knight Rider exterior conversion to start and who knows later.

Apparently this car has every option available in 84 (per the seller). It has leather Lear Siegler seats, locking gas cap, locking rear storage compartment, etc. It even had the factory window louvers.

So my question is, does this car have any more value stock or should it be used as a donor for a knight rider clone?





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Old May 12, 2018 | 01:10 AM
  #2  
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Re: Restore or customize?

It's already cooler than Knight Rider. Too nice to turn into a joke on wheels.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 06:36 AM
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vinny R's Avatar
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: Restore or customize?

Originally Posted by Drew
It's already cooler than Knight Rider. Too nice to turn into a joke on wheels.
....Plus night rider was black so unless you were doing a full color change....I would leave it be, nice car!
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Old May 12, 2018 | 07:04 AM
  #4  
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Restore or customize?

I agree with Drew. Already a nice car id leave it alone for sure!
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Old May 12, 2018 | 11:35 AM
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Car: 86 Trans Am WS6
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Restore or customize?

that cars way too nice to be turned into a movie prop.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 03:58 PM
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Richardman1992's Avatar
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Car: 2021 LT1
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: Tr6060
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Restore or customize?

Nice car, leave it as is. Is it an L69?
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Old May 12, 2018 | 04:36 PM
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Restore or customize?

When I hear the word "customize", I get ready to cringe.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 08:26 PM
  #8  
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From: New England
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Restore or customize?

I think that car would turn more heads and get more respect getting it back to factory fresh which looks like it wouldn’t be to much work..

When I was a kid I thought a Knight Rider would be cool to have.. now if I saw one at a cruise night I’d probably walk right past it..

You should always do what you want and it shouldn’t be up to the opinions of others what you do, but overwhelmingly people like to see these cars in their original unmolested state because it stands out in the sea Of 60’s and 70s resto jobs and “customized” show cars..

Show up with a factory fresh looking third gen and be prepared to draw a crowd..
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Old May 15, 2018 | 02:04 PM
  #9  
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From: California
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Restore or customize?

That car is already good as is. The interior is beautiful. So The most I'd do if you wanted to give your son a chance to put a bitnof his own taste into the car would be a color change and/or rims(no not 20 or 22s lol )
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Old May 15, 2018 | 02:06 PM
  #10  
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Restore or customize?

Cussstommmm......

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Old May 15, 2018 | 03:33 PM
  #11  
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From: California
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Restore or customize?

lol looks like shower caps stitched all across that interior xD
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Old May 15, 2018 | 04:34 PM
  #12  
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From: New England
Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Restore or customize?

Originally Posted by 91vertZ28
lol looks like shower caps stitched all across that interior xD
What? You don’t like my velvet trash bag interior?
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Old May 15, 2018 | 05:14 PM
  #13  
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From: California
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Restore or customize?

Fancy bags that car has. Lol.
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Old May 15, 2018 | 07:35 PM
  #14  
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Car: 1987 Camaro LT
Engine: LG4 w/ SLP headers & a 3" catback
Transmission: THM700R4 (Stock)
Axle/Gears: Stock 2.73 gears. No Posi
Re: Restore or customize?

I vote restore it. It's not that far off to not do it. Maybe some CA compliant headers and save the factory ones.
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Old May 16, 2018 | 07:37 AM
  #15  
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Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Restore or customize?

That's a nice ride. If the kid wouldn't be happy with it being restored I'd recommend buying a well-used TA and converting it to a knight rider clone.

There's plenty of beater thirdgens out there, not many "survivor" quality ones like what you have here.

Just my 2 cents
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