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...