Modified Classics: is it a fad or will it last?
Discussion
There's no shortage of companies pedalling upgrades for classic cars. In fact the current Classic Cars mag includes a test entitled "a weekend with a Jaguar Mk2", but the car in question has actually undergone numerous modifications, even though that's not the point of the article. It's got XJ40 seats and door mirrors, 5 speed Getrag gearbox and power steering, so is not really a typical example of the marque to live with.
Personally I think that if I was in the market for a classic car I would want the best example I could get in standard form, rather than go for a modified vehicle. In fact I would go as far as to say that I would actually pay more for an unmodified one and I think those are the ones that will prove to be the best investments long-term. If you want a modern driving experience there are plenty of modern cars around to provide that.
Am I in the minority on here?
Personally I think that if I was in the market for a classic car I would want the best example I could get in standard form, rather than go for a modified vehicle. In fact I would go as far as to say that I would actually pay more for an unmodified one and I think those are the ones that will prove to be the best investments long-term. If you want a modern driving experience there are plenty of modern cars around to provide that.
Am I in the minority on here?
No, there's definitely at least 2 of us 
Strange as it may sound but I don't want a classic to be "too good". Half the fun of ownership is putting up with all the little faults (and being able to fix some of them).
For instance if there is a problem on one of my MGs I can have a go at sorting out, with the Aston - no chance
Modern computer controlled engines, power steering and gearboxes with synchro on all gears takes the fun away.
Strange as it may sound but I don't want a classic to be "too good". Half the fun of ownership is putting up with all the little faults (and being able to fix some of them).
For instance if there is a problem on one of my MGs I can have a go at sorting out, with the Aston - no chance
Modern computer controlled engines, power steering and gearboxes with synchro on all gears takes the fun away.
I've pondered this, and I think its a matter of personal taste. I'll like mods that make a vehicle more useable on a day to dat basis but dont take away the old car feel
Eg, my e type, it wont have electric windows or central locking or a bluetooth whatsit, but it has got a lip seal on the back of the crank.
I dont like the whole 'Vicarge' thing, but some mods are worth doing.
Eg, my e type, it wont have electric windows or central locking or a bluetooth whatsit, but it has got a lip seal on the back of the crank.
I dont like the whole 'Vicarge' thing, but some mods are worth doing.
I am all for it but see it as a hobby/compulsion that runs along side our 'real' classics.
I was on a rally in France last year and two guys turned up in a pair of MGAs. Each had a 5 speed gearbox (from a Ford Sierra if I recall), some work on the brakes and a few other cooling mods. I thought it was great as they were being used*.
I quite fancy a modernised Citroen Traction Avant coupe, maybe I'll do it some day.
I was on a rally in France last year and two guys turned up in a pair of MGAs. Each had a 5 speed gearbox (from a Ford Sierra if I recall), some work on the brakes and a few other cooling mods. I thought it was great as they were being used*.
I quite fancy a modernised Citroen Traction Avant coupe, maybe I'll do it some day.
- Point one, one of the MGAs broke quite badly on the first day. Point two, I beat the other one
Until recently I was firmly of the opinion that an old car was nothing without a 'period' drive.
More recently I have seen MG T Series and A's with Sierra gearboxes and there is no doubt that their owners agre getting fun out of the cars because they use them more.
So my views are changing.
Suddenly I am finding that a Triumph 2000 with BMW 325 mechanicals is an itch that will need scratching before long and I have just acquired a 5 speed box for my own 2002 restoration.
More recently I have seen MG T Series and A's with Sierra gearboxes and there is no doubt that their owners agre getting fun out of the cars because they use them more.
So my views are changing.
Suddenly I am finding that a Triumph 2000 with BMW 325 mechanicals is an itch that will need scratching before long and I have just acquired a 5 speed box for my own 2002 restoration.
52classic said:
Suddenly I am finding that a Triumph 2000 with BMW 325 mechanicals is an itch that will need scratching before long and I have just acquired a 5 speed box for my own 2002 restoration.
I was just about to ask what kind of Korean sh*tbox you have that needs restoring after just ten years; then I figured it out 
LotusOmega375D said:
In fact the current Classic Cars mag includes a test entitled "a weekend with a Jaguar Mk2", but the car in question has actually undergone numerous modifications, even though that's not the point of the article. It's got XJ40 seats and door mirrors, 5 speed Getrag gearbox and power steering, so is not really a typical example of the marque to live with.
Cars will always be modified, whether they're classics used daily, being prepared for racing etc, but in my eyes whatever is done should be sympathetic to the type. The five speed gearbox I could live with, and even the power steering if its been converted well - but putting electric mirrors and XJ40 seat in is taking things a bit far.My XJ6 is getting a power unit upgrade, and it comes with a five speed gearbox. I want to use it daily, but I can't afford for it to develop character in the shape of faults. Similarly I don't want to take away too much of the character it already has. I won't be changing much else as while I want more power and economy than the old XK engine can give me, I don't really want to try and restyle the car internally or externally.
Its such a fine line to follow. How far is too far? I love the work and thought thats gone into this, but I don't like the finished product.
http://jaguar.fiboy.com/Mk1.htm
A topic that frequently comes around and always divides opinion.
It's been well covered in other threads so I won't to go on too much about the pro's and cons.
What I do find strange is that modifying these cars is often portrayed as a relatively recent phenomenon when it so obviously isn't.
It was common practice in period to upgrade brakes, improve cooling and alter gearing. How many electronic ignition kits did we fit in the 1970's?
For MG fans - surely the ultimate modified MG was the Costello V8 that went on to become the MGB V8 - we didn't hear too many complaints about that !
Finally what about one of the ultimate blue chip classics - the vintage Bentley - find me an unmodified one.
It's all a matter of perception.
It's been well covered in other threads so I won't to go on too much about the pro's and cons.
What I do find strange is that modifying these cars is often portrayed as a relatively recent phenomenon when it so obviously isn't.
It was common practice in period to upgrade brakes, improve cooling and alter gearing. How many electronic ignition kits did we fit in the 1970's?
For MG fans - surely the ultimate modified MG was the Costello V8 that went on to become the MGB V8 - we didn't hear too many complaints about that !
Finally what about one of the ultimate blue chip classics - the vintage Bentley - find me an unmodified one.
It's all a matter of perception.
a car must be useable,able to start and take you places- thats its function.a classic is a toy and to be used as and when the mood takes.but why would you want to go to the garage all excited about taing the car out only for it not to start or brake down miles away from the nearest pub waiting for it to cool down? if it makes it more useable and enjoyable why not? people have been converting to electronic ignition for donkeys years but is that wrong too? surely it would be better to see these special bits of history on the road where they belong rather up on jacks in somebody's garage??
mph said:
A topic that frequently comes around and always divides opinion.
It's been well covered in other threads so I won't to go on too much about the pro's and cons.
What I do find strange is that modifying these cars is often portrayed as a relatively recent phenomenon when it so obviously isn't.
It was common practice in period to upgrade brakes, improve cooling and alter gearing. How many electronic ignition kits did we fit in the 1970's?
For MG fans - surely the ultimate modified MG was the Costello V8 that went on to become the MGB V8 - we didn't hear too many complaints about that !
Finally what about one of the ultimate blue chip classics - the vintage Bentley - find me an unmodified one.
It's all a matter of perception.
What you say in your post about modifying cars back in the day is of course true, but missing the point of my thread. People have always modified new cars with parts around at the time and they still do. What I am talking about is modifying in this case a 50 year old car with modern parts. That's totally different to Costello squeezing the Rover V8 into an MGB 40 years ago. As for vintage Bentleys, well that's more of creating a replica racer from a saloon than adding modern parts, so a different argument.It's been well covered in other threads so I won't to go on too much about the pro's and cons.
What I do find strange is that modifying these cars is often portrayed as a relatively recent phenomenon when it so obviously isn't.
It was common practice in period to upgrade brakes, improve cooling and alter gearing. How many electronic ignition kits did we fit in the 1970's?
For MG fans - surely the ultimate modified MG was the Costello V8 that went on to become the MGB V8 - we didn't hear too many complaints about that !
Finally what about one of the ultimate blue chip classics - the vintage Bentley - find me an unmodified one.
It's all a matter of perception.
As a classic car fan, I still think that we should preserve originality wherever possible and practical. Sure discreet minor modifications like Kenlowe fans and electronic ignition are sensible, but I really don't see the need to swap major components for modern alternatives.
Mine are all modified.
The Singer has a 998cc engine on twin 40 DOCEs. Didn't come out of the factory like that (875cc, single Solex). The ride height is not standard either, with 10" ground clearance at the sills.
The Clan also has a 998cc engine on 40s, this one producing over 100bhp (the 875cc Imp sport lump on strombergs made about 55). The transaxle has a lowered, straight cut conversion on 3rd and 4th and is getting a Quaife ATB fitted at the moment, and there are too many other mods to list.
The Davrian, well there's no such thing as a standard Davrian so talking about modifications is pointless.
All intended for motorsport use though, so wouldn't want them to be standard.
The Singer has a 998cc engine on twin 40 DOCEs. Didn't come out of the factory like that (875cc, single Solex). The ride height is not standard either, with 10" ground clearance at the sills.
The Clan also has a 998cc engine on 40s, this one producing over 100bhp (the 875cc Imp sport lump on strombergs made about 55). The transaxle has a lowered, straight cut conversion on 3rd and 4th and is getting a Quaife ATB fitted at the moment, and there are too many other mods to list.
The Davrian, well there's no such thing as a standard Davrian so talking about modifications is pointless.
All intended for motorsport use though, so wouldn't want them to be standard.
My Corvette Stingray is seriously modified in the drivetrain, suspension, steering and brakes. These are off the shelf modifications offered by USA dealers. For example, the steering is now rack & pinion replacing the vague pitman arm re-circulating ball system. The only external mod is the 18" wheels replacing the 15" originals and this was done purely because of safety re the availability of 15" tyres with a suitable speed rating, the 18" wheels are replicas of the 15"wheels in an effort to keep it looking original.
G
G
LotusOmega375D said:
Sure discreet minor modifications like Kenlowe fans and electronic ignition are sensible, but I really don't see the need to swap major components for modern alternatives.
In my case it came down to the fact I liked the car enough to want to continue to use it daily. It coped... just. However, I hated the fact did did 20mpg at a steady 60mph, dropping away to 11mpg if I pushed the speed up too far. 80mph at around 4000rpm. I hated the three speed automatic gearbox as it was sluggish, fussy and annoying.That is why there is the need to modify, and why in my eyes it is sensible - I'm not going to ditch my car because its a bit outdated for modern traffic, I'll use my skills and a decent donor to evolve the car. I'm not doing anything the factory didn't consider, as XJ6's ran with prototype AJ6 engines in the mid 1970's.
An engine swap for a later power unit (in my case from the same manufacturer, and the same layout) and a decent gearbox gives the car better power, better economy, and means it doesn't get consigned to the scrap heap.
LotusOmega375D said:
As a classic car fan, I still think that we should preserve originality wherever possible and practical. Sure discreet minor modifications like Kenlowe fans and electronic ignition are sensible, but I really don't see the need to swap major components for modern alternatives.
Really? Have you ever driven a car with a crash gearbox and cable brakes? I have and I'd rather not again thanks! I'd rather have something that can keep up with modern traffic and isn't so much of a pain to drive that it becomes dangerous.Cars have been upgraded ever since the car was invented. It's nothing new and will always continue
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff