Opinions on Replicas/ Clones

[Runcharger]

I've had real cars and cars with swapped in drivetrains. These days the real stuff is getting really expensive and a lot of guys are hesitant to drive them. You can build the clone somewhat cheaper as you don't need all correct parts and date coded stuff etc. I say leave the real stuff to the investors these days and drive the stupid thing. Best car I ever owned was my matching #'s 71 Hemi Charger and I loved it and I loved driving it. However with a Hemi you should drive it hard to enjoy the thrill and demonstrate that thrill to others, worrying about the unlikely event of hurting matching #'s parts though does take a bit of the enjoyment out of it.
Another thing is when you have a real car, some know it all at a car show is going to point a finger at your incorrect tire valve stem caps and it's going to just p&^% you off, so it's best to just avoid that scenario all together.

 

[Cojohnso1]

I believe clones are ideal from modest models/options that wouldn't bring anything special if restored/survivor to stock. So no foul building to your fancy.

 

[DeltaV]

 

[T Brashears]

I can't own anything I'm afraid to drive,my bikes or cars. hell,i ding mine up in the garage. Sometimes i wish i would have gutted it,primed,and spent more money on the motor.

 

[Don Frelier]

I think people get caught up in "labeling" stuff and vin numbers.
Why can't it just be a cool car you put a hemi in rather than a Hemi car?
Not everyone is going to have a Hemi car, I don't.
But mine are pretty fun I'll say.

 

[cosgig]

If I can afford a Hemi car, I’m beating the crap out of it, because that’s what they were made for. And if I can afford to buy one, I certainly can afford to beat on it.

 

[6PKRTSE]

As long as they look good, sounds good and runs good, it's cool to me. I have never been a numbers guy. I have learned the numbers and I know the numbers now, but I really couldn't care less if it is an original Hemi car or any car or not. I built my Hemi car my way.

 

[BSB67]

What are the prevailing opinions on replica tributes? Probably the only chance of affording a nice/ well-built HEMI car…

I have an opinion, but so does everyone. Mine is no better. I think that the posts so far show you there is no correct answer, or majority opinion, only what folks have found is right for them.

I do believe if you get really, really clear on what you want, you’ll have answered your own question.

If you’re worried about resale, you’ll probably always be conflicted

 

[68BabyBlue]

I have an opinion, but so does everyone. Mine is no better. I think that the posts so far show you there is no correct answer, or majority opinion, only what folks have found is right for them.

I do believe if you get really, really clear on what you want, you’ll have answered your own question.

If you’re worried about resale, you’ll probably always be conflicted

I knew exactly what I wanted, after “the one” planted the seed back in 1969. I would have preferred a clone, but ended up with the “real deal.” You play the hand
you’re dealt. There is no right answer. I ended up owning four red ‘69 GTXs in the process, not a bad result. But it took 52 years.

 

[#41]

Almost anything goes, and all enthusiast should be welcomed in the hobby. That is until you start body-swapping or faking VINs and fender tags.

 

[T Brashears]

I think that if I worried about resale I wouldn’t enjoy the car. Mine has 4 doors,looked at me beside my buddies shop for a dozen years,finally decided it needed some love before the Pittsburgh salt killed it. I got a b body relatively cheap and it helped him out too. All good. It gets smile and honks and waves every time it goes out,I’m happy. I could have bought a super bee or r/t that needed everything for what I have in this one. I do have as much in the bumpers as I paid for the car and body parts that came with it though,ouch!

 

[F4R/T]

As long as someone doesn’t try to pass it off as the real deal I don’t care... There are more SS Chevies out there then were ever made and every one has a corvette engine.

 

[T Brashears]

Amen.

 

[Jeff Peterson]

We have faux “A864”

 

[Don selleck]

BTW I love your AAR & I'd drive it too.... I'm not saying nobody drives the numbers cars obviously many do... But many don't as well...

Add to that I know of clones that never get driven... I guess it depends more on what you want to do with the car...

I don't care much for static displays, Car Shows while I do attend a few really aren't my thing...

I prefer to drive my cars, always have... And there are so many crappy inattentive drivers these days I just feel better driving a car with less value...

Yeah, insurance can pay to fix it but in recent years just finding a shop willing to fix a classic has become very difficult...

I'm not a car show guy either, sitting there all day is not my Idea of a well spent day I usually show up for a few hours and look at everyone's cars bs for a while and take off. I just have always drove my cars regardless of the vin numbers.

 

[Dave6T4]

Here are some nicely done clones in my area. The first 2 are friends of mine who enjoy getting out and driving them. I know what they paid for them; waaaay cheaper than a real one. The last one started out as a Slant 6 car, and was a celebrity's pick car at last year's Carlisle show.

 

[skicker]

I got into the game way too late as the 1st of the 5 cars I have I bought in 2004...

No Hemi cars and no pedigree cars...I call all of mine muts...

Now I kind of have one for every occasion

I have one that was kind of a "tribute" car...The 69 Dart that Dad and myself built for him in 2010 that was similar to one he bought new in 69...

It's just an original 6 cylinder GT that now has a Swinger tail stripe...

It was supposed to run in the 12.40's like the old one did and that's right where it ended up at 12.32@109mph...

My 70 Satellite is the one I take if we're going a long distance or I want to listen to music or just to go get a pizza...

The 65 Coronet is a little crazier and louder and much more obnoxious than the rest...Its good for a more race themed event where it may get beat on...

Dad's car now is a 72 Duster small block that kind of resembles a sleeper and with 3.55 gears and a 2500 converter still ran 11.92@113mph...

The first car I bought and the last car I have is a 65 Belvedere II that is still in the build stage and I haven't quite figured out exactly what it will be...

A car for every occasion works for me and isn't near as much money as one pedigree Hemi car that I likely wouldn't want to drive...

 

[JPrusinows]

I got into the game way too late as the 1st of the 5 cars I have I bought in 2004...

No Hemi cars and no pedigree cars...I call all of mine muts...

Now I kind of have one for every occasion

I have one that was kind of a "tribute" car...The 69 Dart that Dad and myself built for him in 2010 that was similar to one he bought new in 69...

It's just an original 6 cylinder GT that now has a Swinger tail stripe...

It was supposed to run in the 12.40's like the old one did and that's right where it ended up at 12.32@109mph...

My 70 Satellite is the one I take if we're going a long distance or I want to listen to music or just to go get a pizza...

The 65 Coronet is a little crazier and louder and much more obnoxious than the rest...Its good for a more race themed event where it may get beat on...

Dad's car now is a 72 Duster small block that kind of resembles a sleeper and with 3.55 gears and a 2500 converter still ran 11.92@113mph...

The first car I bought and the last car I have is a 65 Belvedere II that is still in the build stage and I haven't quite figured out exactly what it will be...

A car for every occasion works for me and isn't near as much money as one pedigree Hemi car that I likely wouldn't want to drive...

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Personally I can't stand clones. Who in there right mind would want 4 killer cars for the price of one! LOL Occasionally I get the "is it a real one" but only after they pick their tongues up off the ground! Then they hop in their toyota and drive away. LOL.

Seriously, its all about what you enjoy, getting your hands dirty and sharing with family (hoping they get their hands dirty too). My 83 year old father and I work on these cars every weekend and try to make them as close to the "real thing" as we can.

And most imprortantly, after so many years they almost know the way to our local watering hole by memory! Take that Elon!

 

[JPrusinows]

Personally I can't stand clones. Who in there right mind would want 4 killer cars for the price of one! LOL Occasionally I get the "is it a real one" but only after they pick their tongues up off the ground! Then they hop in their toyota and drive away. LOL.

Seriously, its all about what you enjoy, grtting your hands dirty and sharing with family (hoping they get their hands dirty too). My 83 year old father and I work on these cars every weekend and try to make them as close to the "real thing" as we can.

And most imprortantly, after so many years they almost know the way to our local watering hole by memory! Take that Elon!

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Damn good thread by the way. And all beautiful cars that have special meaning to their owners and thats what counts!

 

[Hwy145]

Going to see this one today….