Ok, here's a curious debate subject for y'all to chew on -

Let me set the scene -
imagine you are in the market for a 1968 1750 105.  Imagine you are on a VERY tight budget and imagine the intention to keep it as a mildy tuned - PACE cams, extractors, springs - road car (with Momo Vega's or superlites), not a full-on track car or indeed a concours challenger.

imagine you find (for price, within the very tight budget) a 1968 1300 GT Junior with 1750 series 1 grill and 1750 motor BUT still retaining the 1300 GTJ interior (except that 1750 instruments have been jammed in the smaller 1300 dash instrument holes).

Do you  - replace the 1750 grill for a 1300 GTJ version, thus returning it to a 1300 GTJ in the main (but definitely retaining the 1750 motor) or, do you continue morphing it into a 1750 - i.e. change interior to 1750 series 1 spec etc?

What does it become?
Which is the better direction - value wise and avoiding raspberries for the traditionalists?
Does it lose major face and value being a 1750 in a 1300 body or indeed if it is a 1300 GTJ to look at externally and internally but with 1750 donk, (a not to uncommon change i understand).

What about brakes? Do you upgrade to larger 1750 calipers or leave it?

what else?

Genuinely looking forward to some informative replies from those 105 afficianados on this forum.

Hi,

If you are talking strict value then there are two ways to go:
Original
Full racer

Of those the best value for money would have to be original since a racer will cost heaps and you are still between categories.  You could always go down the path of GTA replica and that might provide a good return (and lots of fun).

It'll never be a 1750 so why try to make it one unless that's what you really want.

But if it is a car you are going to keep then what's the difference if the grill is 1300, 1750 or 2000?  Make it a car you like to drive and let the next owner worry about matching numbers (which you don't have anyway), unless matching numbers are important to you. 

I am biased because I bought a 1968 series 1 1750 on a very tight budget.  I planned to restore it but restoration would have been too expensive and beyond my ability so I've morphed it into a semi-racer.  My wife said it beautifully the other day when she said I can really enjoy this one now because I can slap some black rustproofing on the internals of the car (which I'm doing now) and not worry about the originality or a perfect finish.  I also enjoy driving it on the track but probably wouldn't get around to weekend cruises so it is being used more. 
The car suits me, make yours suit you and let other people complain while you just smile.

Go 1300 Jr but keep the 1750 motor (maybe later put in a a PACE 2L....)

Interesting comment re the 1750 grill not being an exact fit with the 1300 body.  I knew you would have something of value to add or i wouldnt have started this thread.  You were one of the main people i was hoping to get a response from.   Further argument to revert it back to 1300 wherever possible (but keeping the 1750 motor).   

I have brushed up on my model specs over some time, so am aware of the physical similarities and differences.
Will reveal all tomorrow as i am going ot take a look at it tonight. Cross fingers.

What's your rush? Hold out for the dream car I say.

picture still not ok, 4 headlights was onyl 1.6 junior not 1300 junior. The 4 headlight junior came with 2l grill . It cannot be '71 junior with 4 headlights. Is it possible that it was 2 headlights and converted to 4. Something like Colin did.

what do the rear lights look like?

What you think is 2k body work woudl end up being at least twice as much once the work starts. Any rough work will not be to your liking and you will want to fix that as well, and the price goes up....

in the end you end up with something that you did not want in the first place...

it is not hard to turn it into the 1750 look alike if that is what you want, albeit series2. But if you ask me, there are many advantages to the series two 1750....

as for the engine, i love 1300 but it is horses for courses.

2k does sound very optomistic given your description of rust....

The car sounds like it is the new smooth front Junior (like 2000 GTV) either 1300 or 1600. Single head lights and a few other hangover items from the earlier step nose model. No centre console, didn't get carpets and didn't have the new printed circuit dash like the 2000 GTV. Junior's retained the old 1750 style speedo binicle which I happen to think is a real plus over the 2000 GTV. Branko is right these models had a different size caliper mounting stub axle (or upright) which was unique to the 70's 1300 & 1600. The 2000 GTV had the same as the earlier 60's model 1300, 1600, and 1750's cars. Australian delivered cars anyway. This 'special' upright shouldn't be considered a disadvantage as they are quiet valuable because they will accept the alloy calipers. Colin converted one of these 1600 bodies to his 2000 GTV race car.
You may have noticed Paul form Adelaide at Alfesta 2007, with his loverly 1600 Junior.
I happen to like this particular model, not as common as the 2000 GTV and with several better features. I would grab it if I was you even though it is not your dream car. It sounds like it would spruce up reasonably cheaply and would always be easy to sell (even un-restored) with it's good trim, at some later time when economics are different. Who knows you then might be able to retain both?