Your car is only original once. It looks good in the photos, and I actually like to see original cars at cruises, bruises and all!

Wow, awsome car! As was stated before, they are only original once. If it were mine I would go the non-destructive clean up route. A new top is in order, otherwise I'd go with Simplygreen & wax.

One neighbor of mine had a gorgeous 1964 Parisienne Custom Sport convertible in Silver Blue with a black top & interior, 283 (I think) & a Powerglide. She owned it since new (it was mint) & her late husband owned a Verdoro Green 1969 GTO coupe; he died in 1971 & she died in 1982.

Here is the thing, if you go the restoration route and take it all apart you will probably not drive this car for a few years depending on how much desposable income you have. The way the car looks to me its in dam good shape and is a driver right now. I would spend money only on the top if indeed thats a rip I am seeing. Power wash the engine and compartment and do a little detail clean up on it. Repaint the block and valve covers and air cleaner that kind of thing. Enjoy the car. I have had mine apart since the 88 . The only time I drove it was when I brought it home. You have a little gem there so enjoy it as is. 

This is a tough choice for any one ........without a good look at the car i CAN'T MAKE THAT CALL FOR YOU!! I can only say that it is nice to leave a car all original as long as, it is not starting to rust out. If it is starting to have rust spots appear that are only getting worse..I would be all for a restoration!! Better to stop it before it becomes a really big job and a lot more work. On the other hand if it is only a few small spots that arn't getting any worse I'd probably say let it go another year and then reassess next year!! Don't let the small dents and scratches make up your mind...thats just patina. And a new roof is easy and won't hurt the original look at all. Just my 2 cents worth. Beautifull Car!!!

-- Edited by grande jim on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 10:24:22 AM

From your description:
I'd fix the floor pan holes/braces (and any other little rusty places) and undercoat it (Rust Check).
Give it a freshening up under the hood (cleaning, paint, etc.).
Do the top.
Replace the window trim and fuzzies (rubber if it needs it)
Just fix what you have to (I notice your passenger vent crank handle is broken).
These are all things you can do easily (the parts are available). As for front fenders rear quarters, exterior trim/script, and most of the interior they are '64 Parisienne only!

no the crank is there in good shape , it's just that the picture is head on
unfortunately 67custom the car will never be for sale
i'm the third owner , after my grandfather and my mom and it will be passed on
btw, how do you remove those wondow crank, i want to see behing the door panels?

If that thing has original paint - Dont touch it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

unrestored survivor cars provide the greatest bragging rights of all.

When you say "Restore", I always groan "Body off".
But there is absolutly nothing wrong with completing all the small little cosmetic repairs your car might need. As well, anything mechanical needing attention is certainly somthing you can pick away at as you have the time. A quick clean up of the engine compartment is always very satisfying, without breaking the bank. Most anything rubber can, and will usually need to be replaced. Re-doing the suspension for more performance without altering the look is the way to go imop if you plan on more "spirited" driving. My 67's getting that treatment, it's therapy for me to lose myself in that work.

I'm of the opinion that a mostly original car with a "patina of age" cartainly adds to it's appeal, more so when it's a true survivor, and it's only that way once...it's earned that look over many years.

One more thing about having a car with all those little dings and scratches...you don't sweat driving it, just drive it like it was driven when it was just another car on the road in the 60's. When out in mine, it usually gets parked where a spot can be found, windows down. Nobody ever bothers it, people seem to respect it more than any modern appliance, and if it gets another mark...oh well! I gravitate to any and all the "patina" cars at shows. Anyone can get a car painted. 

Your car is part of your family history, so don't erase the canvas completly! Just add your signature to it.

Cheers and welcome!
Mark.

I'd say think about it and do what you think will make you happiest with the car. Great if you can preserve originality.

I'm a big fan of originality. Fix what needs fixing to give a safe ride and then massage the rest.
Great story - keep it original as long as possible. There will come a day when it will need most everything, but not yet.

...as you can see from my pic I kinda like your type of car!! My son and I went a little 'hot rod' with ours with 20's, Air-Ride and Cherry Bomb duals but with those low miles and it being essentially original, I'd put a new top on it, get a good detail service to power-wax the paint as best they can, give the engine bay a shampoo and maybe add a little detail work to clean it up (since we're not total purists we will fully detail our engine bay to original, add a little chrome here and there, and it does have a Edelbrock + Holley 4 bbl.) and then get behind the wheel and wheel 'er around town and show 'er off! And a hint for everyone: don't be afraid to chat up the movie and TV people in your area. Ours and a buddy's Caddie ragtop may be appearing in a commercial and an upcoming movie made out here on the Coast. The production guys are always looking for vintage cars and they'll pay good bucks to rent them for a few days. Just make certain of the exact usage - no abusin' the wheels I'm cruisin"!!

That's a great car and I think you should cherish its originality...

cdnpont wrote:

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When you say "Restore", I always groan "Body off".
But there is absolutly nothing wrong with completing all the small little cosmetic repairs your car might need. As well, anything mechanical needing attention is certainly somthing you can pick away at as you have the time. A quick clean up of the engine compartment is always very satisfying, without breaking the bank. Most anything rubber can, and will usually need to be replaced. Re-doing the suspension for more performance without altering the look is the way to go imop if you plan on more "spirited" driving. My 67's getting that treatment, it's therapy for me to lose myself in that work.

I'm of the opinion that a mostly original car with a "patina of age" cartainly adds to it's appeal, more so when it's a true survivor, and it's only that way once...it's earned that look over many years.

One more thing about having a car with all those little dings and scratches...you don't sweat driving it, just drive it like it was driven when it was just another car on the road in the 60's. When out in mine, it usually gets parked where a spot can be found, windows down. Nobody ever bothers it, people seem to respect it more than any modern appliance, and if it gets another mark...oh well! I gravitate to any and all the "patina" cars at shows. Anyone can get a car painted. 

Your car is part of your family history, so don't erase the canvas completly! Just add your signature to it.

Cheers and welcome!
Mark.

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tks Mark for the input, very well put
tks guys