Keeping original status

[dt73]

I own a 1973 stingray corvette and i would like to know what i can replace to keep the original status such as mufflers, interior carpet, seats, ac, power steering. any and all reply will be helpful.
thank you.
David

[MagicRat]

The term 'original' is really abused in the old car business.
It can mean many things. IMO original means all the original parts that the car had when it was bolted together.
Many people still feel a car can be 'original' so long as you replace any worn or broken component with the equivalent that was available when new.
In this case, you can repaint a car and still keep it original becasue you are using the original paint colour in the original paint system (ie: acrylic laquer)
IMO keep and rebuild the original components like the ac and ps systems, alternators, engine, etc. . Do not exchange your parts for rebuilt ones. Exhaust systems and other components are being reproduced in exact detail and are indistinguishable from new, but are expensive.

There are some very reputable outfits that sell reproduction carpets and seat upholstery kits that duplicate the original materials. Re-use the original seat frames with new material. If you really are picky, keep the ratty original materials in a bag to prove to any future buyer that the new carpet and seat materials match the originals.

Also, join a corvette club or forum and ask about other peoples experiences with suppliers etc.

It's up to you how far you want to go with originality. An original condition car for driving is one thing; making it original for car shows is a much more difficult challange, because there are some corvette enthusiasts and judges at shows that have a reputation for being EXTREME sticklers for detail.

Such enthusiasts consider a corvette to be original only if ALL the factory original inspection marks (often written with grease pencil on components) are present.
Many enthusiasts work hard to duplicate the original defects and sloppy work that was found on some cars. For example, some years of corvettes left the factory with the undercoating/sealer tar dribbling down on the mufflers. For these people, your vette is not perfect until these dribbles are duplicated.