Looking for some thoughts/insight on my JL8 resto

[Jeff H]

I'm ready to have the shop finish up the restoration on my 69 Z28 JL8 Camaro and I have all the Trans Am type race parts but I think it would be better off to finish the car back to bone stock original. I have been in contact with the original owner on Camaros.net and he has given me some great information. I have the crossram parts, the original GM fiberglass crossram hood, the Stahl headers that look like the 67-69 style headers, the Minilite wheels, TI stuff, radio delete, heater delete, off-road cam, etc. I originally wanted to restore it like you could have ordered a JL8 car and "built" it for racing, but going back to stock seems like a better idea. It's all #'s matching with POP and broadcast sheet as well. Just wondering how most of you would finish off this project.

[Charley Lillard]

As a prior owner I know it is the real deal and a great car that if it were mine I would put back to stock. How many years ago did you get that from me ?

[RamAirDave]

Myself, I would build it in race trim, especially since you already have the parts.

[tom406]

Its sounds real and right, so I think going back to stock is an easy choice. The SCCA parts are cool, but would be better served going onto a '69 Z w/ actual SCCA race history, don't you think? Both from a monetary and historical standpoint.

[rspanther]

A car with all of the original parts and paper work I would go back to stock . There are alot of cars that do not have all of its original parts that would be great to put all of the race goodies onto and have just as much fun .You have to have something to work on when this one is done
David

[RamAirDave]

Are you looking to build something different/cool, or are you basing it strictly financially (resale) ?

The #s, BBS, POP won't change regardless of how it's built, just depends on what you want and your plans for the car when it's done.

[drdave69]

Stock would be my choice and you could fund some of the work with the sale of those cool race parts.

[TDW]

Stock. When the time comes to sell it, there will be more interested buyers looking for a factory stock one than a TA style. Glad you are getting it done. When I came to this board a handful of years ago you were in the process of restoring it.

[m22mike]

I like RamAirDave's idea too. Those Mini Light wheels would be killer on that car.


Mike

[njsteve]

Which way would make you happier and enjoy the car more?

I would follow the old adage that I saw on a bumper sticker: What would Jesus do?

I think he would want you to build it as it was meant to be - with all the neat vintage speed parts.

They are all essentially bolt-ons. It seems like the only thing that would be a body mod would be the hood. Get a steel regular hood and have that painted at the same time you do the rest of the car. Then when the time comes to revert to "born again" condition it would be just a weekend of unbolting the speed parts.

Sorry to go all biblical on you there.