Would you put aftermarket parts in an original survior car?

[Michael_]

Looking at prices for NOS or chrysler licensed reproductions vs. regular aftermarket parts there are really huge price differences.
Right now i need a new radiator and mufflers for example.

What do you think?
Only putting in 100% correct parts to keep value high or better go aftermarket because nobody cares?

 

[Michael_]

So far i've only bought original parts. (NOS, used and chrysler licensed reproductions)
But this really gets expensive quick.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

You can get the original Radiator recored/rebuilt then its correct for your car.

 

[Michael_]

You can get the original Radiator recored/rebuilt then its correct for your car.

Unfortunately it got replaced with a generic aftermarket one prior to my ownership.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Consumable items I would replace with newer parts. 50 old brake shoes parts are not safe, replace with disc’s. The muffler you can get stainless steel which would last forever.

It’s your car do you whatever you want.

 

[chtampa]

Survivor for me is used existing parts. The only way to fudge that would be to find used parts better than what you have a problem with.
I bet there is a large supply of used production line parts available and it would be fun to have that patina on a car.

 

[Michael_]

Survivor for me is used existing parts.

Well for me its an unrestored, mainly original car.
But as those have been driven of course some parts have been replaced over the years.
Mine is very original over all. But as i found out the radiator for example isn't stock.

I don't know if i want to gamble with used parts if not necessary.

 

[Don Frelier]

What model is the car?

 

[Michael_]

What model is the car?

This one: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showcase/a-1969-dodge-charger-rt-in-germany.5431/

 

[Don Frelier]

Ideally that car would be kept as original as possible. That said a radiator and mufflers could easily be changed at any time. So you could choose a less expensive part now and then keep looking for nos or keep those expensive parts on a shelf as you find them.

 

[chtampa]

Well for me its an unrestored, mainly original car.
But as those have been driven of course some parts have been replaced over the years.
Mine is very original over all. But as i found out the radiator for example isn't stock.

I don't know if i want to gamble with used parts if not necessary.

What if you find an original radiator that just needs to be cleaned? Anybody can replace a part with a new one.

 

[Jax_1975_Dart]

Unless you plan to put it in a museum or auction it off to investors... I’d say it’s your car and you can use quality after market parts on most components - without sweating it. If you’re too worried, you can always keep a parts surplus of anything you R&R.

That’s a gorgeous ‘69 Charger R/T!

 

[Michael_]

What if you find an original radiator that just needs to be cleaned

I'm thinking about this option right now.
But at the end its always a gamble.

Unless you plan to put it in a museum or auction it off to investors...

Plan is to keep it for a long time. If possible for ever.
But i still want to keep its value of course. And i also like stock.

 

[R413]

“I will do whatever I can to give it the best home possible”

that’s what you wrote in the thread on the car. Don’t cheap out now. You’ve got a big time car, Do it right?

 

[F4R/T]

I try my best for NOS / OEM on my RT, its the hardest thing I’ve ever done is to undo previous years of use.... rubber goods , brake linings etc it’s not worth it to risk a failure.. all my hard parts with casting and part numbers are all there except the ball joints and tie rod ends etc... all premium USA moog parts, spark plugs are NOS , dist cap and rotor, plugs wires are repop .. I save everything but only the best and safest too. I want my car to be a close to 1970 as I can

 

[66 Sat]

Just get decent quality parts and use the money you save to spend on petrol to enjoy the car. You will spend a fortune trying to get NOS parts and if your not selling the car anytime soon then why do you care if it's lost some value?
If in 20 years when your rich and famous and you really want to put everything back 100% stock then spend the money in doing so then, not now while you're young and probably relatively poor.
Also, try to source as many parts as you can in Germany. Don't buy mufflers from the US, the shipping will bankrupt you. Just get some nice mufflers from the local exhaust shop, get them to cut the old ones off and plug in a few with the car on the lift until you find something you like the sound of. Nobody is going to look under the car.
Join a classic car club if you haven't already, you will find there are local specialists/suppliers for all mechanical aspects of the car, and local trimmers who can sort out any interior type issues.

 

[Durandal25]

Lots of parts out there , and many are trash. NOS is great, but only on a concourse car. I replace certain thinks that impact safety, like a harness or brakes ect....had too many of these cars to know that much. Just splashed out $400 on a much needed engine, light and rear harness

 

[1 Wild R/T]

If you want an original in the thread where we were discussing you radiator someone posted that they have a correct radiator for you if your interested...

Last post in this thread...
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...an-shroud-does-not-fit.203873/#post-911691270

My take, you have a awesome car there... I'd probably go for the OE radiator but before installing it I'd have it inspected & rodded out, probably before having it shipped to Germany... I don't know how things are there as far as a good radiator shop these days but back in the early 70's it was a nightmare....

 

[slimt]

I put in what I can find, but I will Not put circuit board items in my car. I do keep all my original parts , and learn how to rebuild those parts from old mechanical friends. Search out the brushes and so on.

 

[Durandal25]

I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve been able to get OER stuff for everything