To Cut Or Not To Cut

The subject of cutting the shock towers has been discussed several times before to install a larger engine, such as a 351. How does everyone feel about making alterations such as these and others that are difficult to reverse if a sale is considered. Do you think it would hurt the cars value, especially a rare or popular model such as a Grabber, Sprint, Stallion, or Comet GT?

I am not trying to start a fight among purists and restomodders. What modifications would you consider ok to do without hurting the car's value?

 

Stock sucks, mod away! :evilsmile

 

If you are trying to keep it stock, then don't touch the towers.

But if you are thinking of a larger engine, pull out the tools, because it is no longer stock and it won't hurt diddly with the value of the car.

But, if you are keeping it stock, better leave that bench seat, big bumpers, etc on there as well (unless it is one of those models that had buckets and small bumpers).

And definitely do NOT touch that EGR system, and leave that oversized starter on there...

Definitely no headers.

 

Don't worry about resale, Do whatever you want to make it the way you want. These are relatively inexpensive cars to begin with. Even the most pristine Mav or Comet will only bring so much. If the mods are done tastefully I would think it would do nothing but enhance the value. My 2 cents...
Jerryfow2

 

I agree with Jerry. these are nice cars no doubt, but not BOSS 429 cars. Do what makes you happy

 

Mine has a 302 BOSS engine in it. I have been told that by several unknowing observers...as in "Man, how did you get a 302 BOSS in there?"

 

I agree with Jerry.

 

Mod away.......its only a car.

 

This is a matter of opinion, but if it was an all original car (with documented miles, etc) - I don't think I could cut it up. Especially if it was a Grabber, Sprint, or Stallion. If it wasn't quite as clean or original, I could cut it up with no worries.

 

I don't know much about selling Mavericks because I keep them all and have them named, but I do know something about buying them. When I buy a Maverick, sometimes I buy the unmolested stock ones and sometimes I buy the cut ones, it is about half and half in my garage. It all depends on what I plan to do with it in the future. I have bought ones with the shock towers cut and I can't say that I have spent less on them because of it. Do what you want with it, it is your car, there will always be someone looking for just that car when you are looking to sell it. Or just don't ever sell it....

 

cut it up !!!

 

It's your car. Do what you want with it. As long as it's done right and looks good, you aren't going to hurt the value any.

If you are looking for an investment, well I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you picked the wrong car. I don't think anyone here puts money into their cars expecting a profit from it, other then the joy of driving and enjoying the car.

 

I'm not sure I would do it to a Stallion or a Sprint. I would have to think twice about an original '71-'72 Grabber or Comet GT that came with a factory 302 and floor shift 3-speed. Otherwise, get out the cutting tools and welder!!!!!

 

I'm with Hawkco ...

I will add that changing the plugs with the factory 302 and uncut shock towers takes twice the beers, twice the amount of wrench set-ups than the 351 and towers that are cut about three inches. Add in the skinned knuckles and cussing that goes with the stock set-up, and you can say that I am a huge fan of cut towers and would do it again, even if it was just a 302-based motor going in there.

Do it ... you will smile everytime you need to mess with the plugs or the headers.

 

The reason I asked this question was because of a couple of recent threads. I have the opportunity to purchase a good 351 cheap and wanted to install it in my '71 Grabber. However, I did not want to cut the shock towers since they were in such good shape along with the rest of the engine bay. When I found out that I would have troubles running a toploader with it, I canned the idea. However, when I saw the pictures of how well Mean Maverick's shock towers turned out, it got me thinking about it again.

I am not a purist and usually don't sell my cars, but the time may come when that may change. After all, I can only drive one at a time, I am reminded by others. All but 2 of my 8 classics run now. As soon as I obtain engines for the '71 Grabber and the '72 GT, they will, too.

None of the Mavericks or Comet were major investments, so if I drop a few dollars in them, I will probably still be ok if I do decide to sell one. That said, I also know that I must be careful since these cars are not commanding big bucks, either. I just didn't want to do anything that would come back to bite me down the road.

Thanks for the comments.

Jim