Just another thought to consider on original vs re-body XR7-Gs -
A lot of the value of old cars is in their history. A very neat and unique aspect of a G’s history is the fact that they saw the inside of the A.O. Smith facility right along side that year’s Shelby Mustangs.
Obviously, you lose that (along with a lot of the value) with a re-body.
Okay I know this is a bit of a thread hijack, but Old Wood actually has some very old wood that was purchased by order of George Washington. He is on a generator right now so I am hoping he can read this and share the story. Very very neat stuff. (and yes this wood is even NUMBERS matching!)
I’m not sure I even want to see the direction this could take in this crowd!
Ok, Now your messing with my head. In a thread I started about the value of a clone/tribute “G” the feeling I got was it’s really not going to be worth anything, just build it the way you want it.
I can go in one of two directions on this build.
(1) Is to build it right to spec with all the right markings and proper color epoxy paint and over spray and so on with the OEM Black Cherry color paint. If that would be looked on as of better value then option (2) then that is the direction I would go in.
Now option (2) would be to build it with a more durable coating underneath the car and detailed well with stainless brake and fuel lines, 4 wheel disk brakes, and a color close to the OEM Black Cherry. Change out the vacuum lights to the probe electric lights and single wire alternator and so on again. The interior would still be all OEM with the leather seating.
These are just a couple examples, of where I was going and in the end Im open to do one or the other. Hey, Im even open to hear what you would do if you were in my situation with a very clean, no rust, stripped down to bare bones shell and epoxy primed ready to go.
I guess the fist option would be like an OEM “G”. The second would be a “G” mod. Which one would be still the most desirable of the two, If lets say life happened and my wife was left with the car to sell. How hard would she have to work at selling one that looked OEM, or close to it with some mods?
If you build a car with the intention of gaining value for eventual sale, you will probably fail in that venture. Build the car you want and take your lumps if you sell it down the road. I assume you’re in this hobby for the enjoyment and if you build a car you don’t enjoy, what’s the point?
I would take Bill’s advise. If you want a G hold out and wait for the “one”. There is nothing wrong with clones/tributes/replica/rebody they all have their place. There are cars to be found that can be a bargin. Bill’s lead might be worth checking into. This thread reminds me of when Scott Gregory was selling his XR7G’s. I thought that his small block looked good and he was asking a fair price of $21,500. I’m not sure what the final sale price was. His car was real but had a non matching numbers engine and some other mods. Whatever anyone thinks of the non matching numbers on the drivetrain it was still a real XR7G.
Which ever way you decide to go either real, rebody, clone or tribute make sure you are happy and enjoy it because thats what this hobby is all about.
Steven
Scott Gregory’s 302 XR7G Sale Ad
Scott’s His and Her XR7G’s for Sale Thread
The point I’m trying to make is that people like high-quality restorations and they like tasteful customizations that are unique or that add driviing pleasure. Would your G tribute be as valuable as a real G? No, not likely. But would it still be as valuable as any other high-quality restoration? Absolutely!
The point that others are making is also correct - if you want a G, do a real one so that you can get the value back out of it that a real G represents. But if you want a really nice restoration with G highlights, the path you were originally contemplating still makes sense.
Thinking of a Dozen mike Meyers (Austin Powers) puns I could throw at this one… 
This does help me with my decision as to what I will be doing with the car. I know as you say, that is will never be as valuable as a “G”, that is a fact.
As for Bob Tufts “G”, what a deal. If It were a J or s code and more options, I would be jumping on it. I would never get out dollar wise, what I have now in new parts, that are piled to the ceiling in the car and now a closet full as well. Its time to use them and the fresh rebuilt 351C.
I will start a thread soon, since I have been around for a few years and no one has see any evidence of me actually owning one.
Im glad i started this thread, it really brought out some good points and Im sure it helped others as well.
Thanks for all the comments.
As for “Old Wood” and his old wood, I would like to hear more about that!
So is it option 1 or option 2? I will look forward to your build thread either way.
Since it sounds like using epoxy primer only with the markings and over spray wouldn’t add much at all to the desire of the car, I will go with option #2. It will look like a G, but with the upgrades it would need to preform well under presure if need be and with reliability. It will be the newest old car I have ever had you could say. 
Not sure yet on the paint, I have yet to see Black Cherry in person, only pictures. If I go with a different color, it wouldn’t be far off from that. Total Control suspension in the front, rear coils would be nice in the back, leafs will do for now. Dual G mirrors, driver and passenger side. The Hurst Olds came out with them as well and had both sides. I have had them now for a few years, Im itching to use them. I like the look and stance of BBCat and may just go with that size of wheel and I feel it still fits the era. The motor is a 351C balanced and blue printed, once completed. Im using Australian heads on this one as well. I have a C6 at the moment, but may pass on that and get an AOD. the rear end is a 3:50 geared Versailles. The dash has been re-chromed and there will be black leather interior. I know there are some that don’t like vinyl tops, but this will have a black vinyl. Since the car is in full Epoxy primer now, the top will also be fully painted for extra protection.
Anyway that is a bit of a rundown on the build once it starts. I have been buying parts for it for the passed 7 years, It should be good for a start.
Thanks again for explaining this topic, I hope it helped others as well.
Dennis
Dennis, that sounds really good. Above all, go for quality and you’ll do fine on value. I really like the idea of the AOD/351C combination. Where are you located? It shouldn’t be too hard to find a Black Cherry car somewhere within visiting distance if the regional clubs near you know that you need to see one. You can also investigate custom colors that are similar to Black Cherry but may offer more depth of color or a hint of color shifting.
On the vinyl top, the standard repros all look pretty good, but the SMS vinyl top is a more exact match for the originals. That’s what is on BBCat because that’s what Don Rush suggested when I talked to him about ordering the repro. It’s a bit more expensive and harder to install, but it looks dead stock.
Thanks Bill, Did you get the vinyl top from Don? In regards to the color, I don’t want shifting or pearl. The same goes for metallic, very little if possible. If I had to go Candy out side of the OEM color then ya.
Im in Chatham Ontario Canada.
Don actually referred me to SMS directly, since they apparently don’t sell through dealers. They make to order so it can take a couple of months before the top arrives once it’s ordered.
In all honesty I am way more excited about this prposed build the way it is going NOW. I mean to build a replica or tribute G you would be building a car that allready exists.
Now you are building a 1 of 1. It gives you freedom to use the things you like about a G but DO IT UP! All state of the art suspension, drivetrain, whatever. With a real G you would be lynched. One day when and if I get all my ducks in a row, my shop built, and my priority projects complete exactly what I will be doing with my 69 Shelby Cougar. I have been collecting parts and saving threads for 10 years now but it will happen.
Good luck with your dream car and stick with it. It will be awesome when its done and a way bigger feeling of accomplishment making it your own, IMO.
