Quote Originally Posted by HK1837 View Post
She's still collectable, but unlike say an XU-1 or a GTS it'd still be collectable and probably worth more with a non original engine it it (in this case a 308, 350 etc) especially if youhad the whole original driveline sitting on a pallet ready to bolt back in.

In my eyes/opinion it is more original fixed up a bit (mat, front car etc) leaving original ride height and wheels (which includes GTS rims) but with say a carbied 308 and V8 trimatic than it would be lowering with mags. I know I originally said EFI 308 which is still what i'd do, and this does take it a fair bit away from any sense of being original, but that to me is for practical reasons and it is all unboltable stuff anyway. I love the look of original, but what is underneath doesn't concern me. I'd even be happy to see a big block, TH400 and 9" in it but have it looking dead stock inside and out!
All jokes aside(as in my previous post), I agree with Byron. My 72 HQ ute was originally a 202/3spd and when I bought it, it was 253/4spd, dead straight with 3 spots of rust the size of a fingernail. This ute will be getting a 350/TH400 and the 253/4spd will be used in my HX Sandman. Unless the van in question was going to be totally restored and had some historical significance, I think a tasteful resto-mod would be the way to go:-)