Holy Crap!! A $3million car!!!

[Ed A. Stevens]

I just enjoy the time and effort put into the restoration/upkeep of a fine old automobile.

Case in point...in NY, my mother is still in possession of a '63 Ford Galaxie 500XL convertible. Somewhat rare, far as I can tell, since I am having an exceptionally difficult time finding any mention of the 500XL convertibles online (not that I'm using that as my ONLY indicator, but all signs so far point to rare, but not necessarily desirable).

I agree. The respect granted to anyone who takes the effort to restore, refurbish, build, clone, or hot-rod an older vehicle is admirable, and deserved (even if, IMO, the clone craze is out of hand).

The 63 Galaxie 500XL (not to mention a convertible) is very collectible (considered one of the best years to collect). The 406 versions bring upwards of $60,000. The more normal 352 versions ring in auction prices in the mid-$20K range. The not so original drivetrain versions bring in anywhere from $6K to $50K (302 drivers to 427 upgraded rods). You can still find beater examples for $1,200 (more and more rare) but these need significant work (rust belt cars and nothing original barely trailer safe projects).

The Galaxie is an example of mark where the stronger muscle-rod conversions (427/429/460 conversions) with similar suspension and brake upgrades bring in nearly the same money as an original 406 tri-power (with the original, marginal, brake and suspension performance).

This example illustrates my major adversion with clones, if you make the effort to duplicate or improve on a major milestone muscle car combination, why not go the extra yard and improve the rest of the package?

Rather than pass off a clone as a 98% reproduction of a 69' Yenko 427 Camaro, why not build a modern 502 with four wheel disc brakes, a cage, and Guildstrand suspension upgrades that make the original seem weak in all aspects of performance? If the goal (and respect gained) is from superior performance, why stop at the engine and drivetrain?

 

[woody]

"This example illustrates my major adversion with clones, if you make the effort to duplicate or improve on a major milestone muscle car combination, why not go the extra yard and improve the rest of the package?"

I agree...

Case in point, Tim88XJ's dad has a very straight/restored 66 Chevy 2wd LWB Stepside...but it was built up with a 97 2500 undercarriage. Kinda the best of both worlds...classic styling with modern driveline, safety & comfort features. What's not to like? The same can be done to cars... I recall 23+- years ago HotRod mag built up a Chevy II with 'fresh' 85-86ish Vette running gear. IIRC it looked odd with the factory vette wheels/gatorbacks filling the wells, but I bet it was a fine-driving coupe for somebody. Then we have Beezil, who recycled his XJ HO running gear & built a tight/modern CJ6.

These are just a few of examples of swapped in "factory" running gear... with the aftermarket like it is, coupled with serious OEM enthusiasm for crate motors & parts... the sky (budget) is the limit as far as performance, handling, safety, and comfort upgrades go.

I can appreciate 'someone else's' restoration, even as it maintains any OEM weaknesses (like 4W drums or CJ/SJ ball & socket front steer joints) for the sake of 'originality'... yet also dig folks who build something unique from the wheels up.

 

[bchulett]

I'm not sure there is disagreement... but having a parking lot full of CLONED '69 Yenko Camaro's or '66 Shelby Mustang's is like having a parking lot full of Vegas and Pintos... IMO they all look alike at the end of the day.

Most of the cloned cars or muscle car resto-rods... or whatever you call them, are being entered in car shows for a remote chance of a trophy... and will never see a race track. For the most part they sit at home in the garage. You can call it superficial ... but that's the extent of it.

And you can only go to so many car shows... and yes, the BS and nepotism runs thick there. So much so, I stopped entering and attending judged car shows... and it's not due to the lack of trophies or recognition.

In fact, I take pleasure in rolling in a show full of "matching numbered" or "cloned" Chevy and Ford muscle cars ... I'm pretty much guaranteed 1st place in a people's choice judged event---the 562 elephant motor with a cross ram, dual 780 Holley's, Crane .654 roller and fenders shaking at idle does it every time.

 

[KaHOnas]

BS? Nepotism? Oh, p-shaw...

But seriously, I agree. I stopped going to these shows after a while myself. I'm tired of hearing how great your car is...let it speak for itself. It's a mechanical work of art. Besides, I can only see so many '56 Bel Airs and '69 Camaros. There didn't seem to be any variety after a while.