After all this and in 2 threads, we do again actually agree on the topic! Hallelujah. When I get down that way we need to have a beer, lol. This is exactly what I've chosen to do on my two basket cases - Both will require extensive surgery and will retain as much as possible of the original shell. I'm also not necissarily saying there is a right answer for every person &/or every car and a re-body done correctly (i.e. finding the best possible donor and stripping it down to nothing & starting over) is still a lot of effort but personally I do prefer the idea of putting in the effort to save whatever can be from the original shell.
Well I'll take a stab at this and see if my theory stands up to the masses. Let's say you as a person that is older has underwent two hip replacements, two knee replacements, reconstructive surgery on both shoulders, skin graphs on your neck and back from a severe burn accident, a lung and heart transplant and cataract surgery on both eyes, a face lift, nose job and to top it off a new tattoo. Are you not still the same person that you always were, just with some new parts to beat on and extend your life a bit longer or are you now a worthless fake imposter cyborg that your friends and family should shun you??
cording to everything I’ve always been taught a rebody means you swap vin In this particular case we did nothing of the kind we saved the entire cowling down to the foot boards
alot of work and skill to be sure! jim said they saved the main cowl due to one car being a/c vs non a/c. my point is/was there is not very little left of original shell. i will change the scenario just a bit. if it was my car and doner shell was a non a/c shell, i would have done the same exact thing as you did because of the stigma and legality of vin hopping. i think jim said it best "intent to fraud" the whole vin tampering law was about stolen/chopping cars, not about repairs! for now the rebody stigma is here to stay in the car hobby. lets face it if you had legally purchased a non a/c shell that had zero rust and the car world accepted this kind of rebody it would be the way to go. but for now we must run with what the rules are its just a shame. again props to a stellar silver beast! charlie,
Update: Kansas has passed a law that protects owners in these situations. https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/...aves-restored-1959-corvette-from-the-crusher/ Patrick
"Early on, authorities declared Martinez innocent of any wrongdoing, but the car was still being targeted for destruction." Ridiculous this dragged on so long , glad it's being resolved finally.
