In going forward with my new project, I am faced with a question of direction. Do I keep a car stock or not.

Further, what does it really mean to keep a car stock? Does it increase the value of the car? Just the sentimentality? And at what point is ones car no longer stock?

I called Legendary auto interiors, and asked them for the vinyl for my 65 valiant. The gentleman said that he is unable to supply for that model, and said that if he didn't have it, nobody would. At a loss, I asked what else I could do as I don't really enjoy sitting on duct tape so much. He said that I could replace my bench seat with buckets from a 60-65 Dart, and that he could get me fabric for those.

This certainly would take away from the stock of the car right?

But if this is my only option, then I figure "To hell with keepin' her stock!" Let's just make her fun and comfy

This goes for the electronic ignition. If I install that, will it be stock?

My question carries over into Super-Sixes and Hyper-Paks. It sounds like the original Hypers came as an option for these engines back in the day (looks like they sell easily for a couple grand... too expensive for my blood). The easier and cheaper option would be to do the Super-Six upgrade (again, would this be stock?).

And what is the real benefit for installing a super-six? I think I read 10 hp? Any other added benefit? Will she run better when she's cold?

A lot of questions... sorry. Maybe I should split these questions up into seperate threads.

In way over my head,
billy

Just take it one thing at a time, and think each thing out before you spend the dough.

If my car was in showroom, concours condition, I might worry about keeping it "stock". But it isn't, so I'm not worried about it.

It's your car - do what YOU like. Personally, I'm looking for a set of factory buckets for mine, or something kinda retro-looking out of a later model car. Eventually i'll make a few modifications under the hood in the name of reliability and driveability. I have no plans of turning my car into a racetrack terror - I have other toys for that.

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Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Fords.

'64 Valiant 100 '66 Dodge A100

Think about what you want and remember that a car is only original once. You could just have your bench seats redone at a local upholstery shop. I think that would be a lot less of a hassle and would be working with what you have already instead of hunting down some bucket seats, etc.

You should see the beautiful job that was done on the upholstery of SlantSixDan's '71 Dart. Take a look: http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic ... upholstery

Personally, if I were redoing some seats I'd want cloth instead of the stock vinyl anyway.

I don't think electronic ignition or even a super six really takes anything away from the car. If you are new to these cars, though, I personally would keep it stock just to get familiar with how it is now and to learn about the car. Keeping a car stock makes referring to the factory service manual to learn how to rebuild or replace a part a lot easier, too. Just drive and enjoy it for a while and think about what you want out of the car before diving in with a lot of modifications.

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'68 Dodge Dart 4dr Sedan

Although I try to make all of the mods to my '72 Swinger "reversible" whenever possible, the truth is most slant cars will likely never be worth very much (at least compared to most other cars from the era). To me, that's a good thing — I can change what I want without worrying about it.

Regardless, electronic ignition and intake/exhaust changes can be switched back without much trouble. Just keep the old parts.

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vm

That is a matter of philosophy. For some people, "stock" is destroyed the first time the factory air is let out of the factory tires. That's an extreme point of view. "Stock" for a trailer queen that is never ever driven means something totally different from "stock" for a car that is actually used and driven. From a pragmatic point of view, it would be a horrendous waste of money to try and adhere to the trailer-queen extreme view of "stock" on a daily driver. The realistic thing to do is to try to keep the car as close to stock as possible. That means, for example:

•If the car needs repainting, pick either the original color, or a color close to the original, or a color that looks appropriate to the year, make and model of the car.

•If the seats need reupholstering, pick out a material of an appropriate colour, type and texture for the age of the car. That means no velour or other late-'70s/'80s materials in '60s cars...such schlock jobs look like poo, no matter how carefully the installation is done, because the material is just plain wrong. There's already a link in this thread to the new upholstery in my '71. The guy did a super job, and the fabric material I picked is very appropriate not only in terms of colour but also texture and style for a 1971 car. It's not a material Chrysler actually used, but that doesn't matter very much, because it genuinely looks like it belongs in the car. The black vinyl portions of the seats are original. This '71 originally had the basic textured black vinyl on the seats, and they were plain/flat. I chose fabric because it looks nicer and is much more comfortable to sit on, and I had the guy do the 3 "rolls" on the seat cushion and seat back for the same reason: it looks nicer and is much more comfortable. The end result is not 'stock' according to trailer-queen purists, but it is very appropriate, suitable, and fine-looking.
Don't waste your money. Those guys think they're god's gift to the world.
See what I mean? That's bull. If you really want a vinyl that is identical or almost identical to the original, spend an afternoon on the telephone, calling auto upholstery shops in your area. You'll find several who'll tell you they might have what you need. Go visit them and they'll pull out half a dozen rolls of old material. If you don't see something you like, keep driving. If that doesn't get you close enough, there are places like SMS and Original Auto Interiors (who list New Old Stock 1964 Valiant seat upholstery, which would get you REALLY close if they have them in the colour you need).
No. Will anyone care? No.
The Hyper Pak was a parts package you bought form the parts department and installed on your car.
No. Again, who would care?
Better driveability and performance.
Your car will run better when cold if the carburetor and choke system are in proper working order and adjustment, no matter whether you've got a 1bbl or 2bbl setup.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Okay, this is why I logged onto this board. You guys Rock!

After reading your posts and talking to a co-worker (who happens to be very wrench-friendly), I realised that stock was such a fuzzy terminology, and unless I was going to have it on a show floor, it was a waste of time and money. That and since this is my only car, it will have to be my daily driver.

I will take your advice, Dan, and find someone close by to take a look at the seats. I love the bench split seats, and was a little sad at the idea of losin' them. The foam/cushions are in perfect condition, and it's only the upholstery that needs to be replaced.

Super-Six with Dutra Duals here I come! (in a year or so)

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Billy Wilson
1965 Valiant 225

SMS is just down the road from you in Canby and they can supply virtually perfect reproductions of your vinyl and fabric but be aware that they are proud of their product; the red vinyl for my '62 Valiant is $45.00 a yard (ouch!). They can also supply reproduction door panels. If you can find an appropriate automotive/marine vinyl it is like to be about 1/3 the cost and from what I've seen will be thicker and more supple anyway if not a perfect patch. I've found a couple of very close matches for mine at http://www.perfectfit.com. They also have a wide variety of fabrics if that is your preference. When it comes to "keeping it stock" or not, that is entirely up to you. Personally I find that scene a bit on the snobbish side and intend to build my ride for my enjoyment. If ithers enjoy my taste and workmanship good for them but it really doesn't matter in the long run. 99% of the people that look at an old Mopar will have no idea whether or not it is stock or modified. Above all have fun!

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

And go spend half an hour at the Naugahyde site. Be sure to read about where Naugahyde comes from...it's rare to find a corporation with such a sense of humour about their products!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

As my signiture sez: "Yeah! Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile" ....a quote from some dude who thot the car should remain stock.

My car came burgundy with a white roof ,9" drums and a 3 speed trans. The tires were 6.50 13 . My kids were learning to drive and could not master the column shift.
The first time I drove the car I nearly lost control in 2nd gear because it handled so poorly.

To make it a useful car I added disc brakes, a 5 speed , 14" rims and larger tires. A sway bar and gas shocks compliment the 5 leaf springs.

My kids used the car as a daily driver and snowboard racing team car. I added the red paint with white stripe to keep the kids respectful and interested. Visibility was enhanced.

In chosing a route for your car means chosing a theme. In our case I think of our car as a Formula S notchback , rally , pro-beater. It attracts attention whereever it goes,,,,It has gone 10s of thousands of miles with panache and safety not available in a stock 65 Valiant. It is legendary in snowboard racing circles.

Figure out what you want the car to do and chose a theme....

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

It is your decision because it is your car.

For me, I tend to keep really clean and well preserved cars original as possible. With that said, even those cars get anti sway bars and better brakes.

On other "back from the dead" cars, it's anything goes.
Truth is, these days I have way more fun with my 'creations' then I do with the all original vehicles I own.
DD

I had one car that I kept "almost stock" by not doing anything to it that was not quickly reversible. It soon became a garage queen. Then I bought my '64 Valiant convertible and modified it the way I want. I drive it every day and absolutely love it.

I've tried to make the changes look like something that might have come out of the Chrysler factory, but if there is a conflict, function overrules form.

People will ask at car shows if the bucket seats, with built-in retractable belts, were stock in '64. No. they weren't, but the original looking vinyl in the original color makes it look like they might have.

I'm 65 years old and when I was a kid and a young father, I was economically forced to drive bland, practical cars. When I retired, I looked for a car that was fun to own and drive and I found it. Now I'm going to enjoy using my Valiant the way I want and my heirs can find their own cars.

The collectors and purists can whine all they want about what I've done to my car, but I don't want another garage queen.

That Dacuda makes me smile every time I see it!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

If I could find a decent front clip, grille, etc etc. I'd turn my 65 Dart wagon into a 65 Barracuda wagon. As it is, it's getting a 65 Barracuda interior and a 66 Formula S dash.

I think that would make it a Barrwagonart...
DD