I bought a low mileage '71 about a year ago.  It is titled and in very good condition.  I always thought I could use a parts car just in case. About a week ago, I found one that was near my house.  It came with several boxes of parts, bumpers, a set of new rims, factory AM radio, a front spoiler, spare console, extra dash, a spare engine with E31 head (that has a header of some kind on it), tranny along with the complete car with its own engine and transmission.  My car is a 5/71 and this "Parts Car" was a 6/71 which was perfect for me.  

I have no idea if the parts car runs.  The frame rails in the wheel wells are rusted through in the usual spot but the box where the engine mounts is not.  The floors are in great shape.  The front fenders are in great shape (or at least they appear to be without removing them).  The left rear fender is rusted but it came with a replacement.  It has no title.

I don't need a parts car but wanted one for emergencies.  My car came from the factory with the old style transmission and now has a later one.  I am installing a '72 console on it.  The parts car has a '71 transmission and a mint condition console.  But mine shifts so well, I am not sure I have the stomach to swap transmissions but making my car period perfect would be nice.

Based on what I am seeing of other restoration projects, my parts car is a great restoration candidate and I don't know if I have the heart to tear it up.  When I was in high school in '79, I my first car was a '73 240z.  This car is in better shape than that. 

I am not sure I have the heart to ruin this car.  Is there something inherently wrong with a restored car that has a salvage title? I am guessing $5,000 would make it look great.  Or should I look the other way and treat it as parts?

Edited September 16, 20168 yr by 87mj

If you can prove the car hasn't been in any major collision that resulted in the salvage title, then that title is just paper work. Any good body shop could tell if it has been damaged and repaired.
Buying a salvage titled car wouldn't bother me as long as the car wasn't twisted but may turn off other buyers if you are thinking about fixing it up and flipping it.

Parting out a restorable car, that's a tough one, I couldn't do it. There is only so many left.

I bought my 7/71 for a cheap price because it's got a savage title. Everything looks fine and I'm rebuiliding the engine now.

I rebuild and sell salvage cars. All of the cars I have done have salvage titles and all for very different reasons. Three of our daily drivers are salvage titled. Some buyers won't consider a salvage title and some will if you can show what was damaged and that is was properly repaired. If I had a project Z with a salvage title I wouldn't think twice about repairing it and making it a driver. Salvage title cars tend to bring about 80% of clean retail numbers. Although a salvage title car will probably never appreciate the way a clean title car will, but on the other side you can have less fear of damaging it because it is branded already. Your car may be salvage for a reason other than collision, flood for instance will draw a salvage title and sometimes even theft recovery will. The car I am currently restoring had enough damage to be a salvage title but the title is clear. I suspect a lot of old Z's have enough damage to be titled "salvage" because for so long they were relatively cheap. I have Grannyknot's view on old Z's save everyone you can, rust will take care of the rest...

Salvage title probably isn't an issue on a classic unless you want to restore and sell it for top dollar.  But, for a fun project, it shouldn't be a deterrent.  I typically shy away from salvage titles on newer cars because it affects the resale opportunities.

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I've had a few salvage title vehicles that were theft recoveries. I just had to replace a few missing parts and had them back on the road.  Like others have stated, it will have an effect on the resale value.  I recommend fixing it up to your liking but not invest too much so you aren't losing too much if you plan to sell it.