Classic Cars - Keep Original Or Modernise to Keep Using?
Discussion
Purely hypothetical as the van was broken for parts in the late 90's but I briefly owned a Fiat Amigo campervan, its based on a Fiat 900T and from memory was built around 1980. Its similar in size to a Bedford Rascal, had a 35hp 900cc engine and drum brakes all round - add in the weight of all the camper furniture, pop roof etc and it would eventually get up to around 50mph but coast lines have probably eroded faster...
As a camper whilst it would look horribly dated it had cooker, fridge, sink, electric hook up and would still be more than usable in that sense but I dread to think how it would cope with modern traffic as even a small car like the Fiesta is bigger and trucks will probably out accelerate it.
So going back to the hypothetical question at what stage would you consider modernising something the the above (if at all) in order to actually carry on using it? A camper that cant practically cover any distance is not much help, guess if I still had it i could make a fortune by leaving it on the drive and listing it on Air BnB as a Coronavirus pod but that not the point.
As a camper whilst it would look horribly dated it had cooker, fridge, sink, electric hook up and would still be more than usable in that sense but I dread to think how it would cope with modern traffic as even a small car like the Fiesta is bigger and trucks will probably out accelerate it.
So going back to the hypothetical question at what stage would you consider modernising something the the above (if at all) in order to actually carry on using it? A camper that cant practically cover any distance is not much help, guess if I still had it i could make a fortune by leaving it on the drive and listing it on Air BnB as a Coronavirus pod but that not the point.
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
I've got an old bmw 2002 and have done a nice halfway house. It still has its original type engine, steering box, dashboard and clocks etc but it runs modern fuel injection, modern suspension (still the same type as original), new brakes all round etc. It's still definitely an old car but its goes, handles and stops much better!
I think there's a nice halfway house for most classic cars but a lot of people get obsessed with the money side of things and how changes may reduce how much the car is worth and i think in some instances it stops people from enjoying their cars properly when they start becoming valuable (in a monetary sense anyway!)
I think there's a nice halfway house for most classic cars but a lot of people get obsessed with the money side of things and how changes may reduce how much the car is worth and i think in some instances it stops people from enjoying their cars properly when they start becoming valuable (in a monetary sense anyway!)
My e-type has modifications that enhance the car, are reversible and not obvious.
Adjustable alloy dampers
Vented front discs & 4 piston front calipers
Uprated rear brake calipers
5 speed gearbox
Electronic ignition system
High torque starter motor
Aluminium radiator
Crank case from grooved to smooth
LHD to RHD
I wouldn't do anything else to it
Adjustable alloy dampers
Vented front discs & 4 piston front calipers
Uprated rear brake calipers
5 speed gearbox
Electronic ignition system
High torque starter motor
Aluminium radiator
Crank case from grooved to smooth
LHD to RHD
I wouldn't do anything else to it
Gluggy said:
Purely hypothetical as the van was broken for parts in the late 90's but I briefly owned a Fiat Amigo campervan, its based on a Fiat 900T and from memory was built around 1980. Its similar in size to a Bedford Rascal, had a 35hp 900cc engine and drum brakes all round - add in the weight of all the camper furniture, pop roof etc and it would eventually get up to around 50mph but coast lines have probably eroded faster...
As a camper whilst it would look horribly dated it had cooker, fridge, sink, electric hook up and would still be more than usable in that sense but I dread to think how it would cope with modern traffic as even a small car like the Fiesta is bigger and trucks will probably out accelerate it.
So going back to the hypothetical question at what stage would you consider modernising something the the above (if at all) in order to actually carry on using it? A camper that cant practically cover any distance is not much help, guess if I still had it i could make a fortune by leaving it on the drive and listing it on Air BnB as a Coronavirus pod but that not the point.
Strong money IMO: click.As a camper whilst it would look horribly dated it had cooker, fridge, sink, electric hook up and would still be more than usable in that sense but I dread to think how it would cope with modern traffic as even a small car like the Fiesta is bigger and trucks will probably out accelerate it.
So going back to the hypothetical question at what stage would you consider modernising something the the above (if at all) in order to actually carry on using it? A camper that cant practically cover any distance is not much help, guess if I still had it i could make a fortune by leaving it on the drive and listing it on Air BnB as a Coronavirus pod but that not the point.
Jonny TVR said:
My e-type has modifications that enhance the car, are reversible and not obvious.
Adjustable alloy dampers
Vented front discs & 4 piston front calipers
Uprated rear brake calipers
5 speed gearbox
Electronic ignition system
High torque starter motor
Aluminium radiator
Crank case from grooved to smooth
LHD to RHD
I wouldn't do anything else to it
Forgot to say retro style digital radio! Adjustable alloy dampers
Vented front discs & 4 piston front calipers
Uprated rear brake calipers
5 speed gearbox
Electronic ignition system
High torque starter motor
Aluminium radiator
Crank case from grooved to smooth
LHD to RHD
I wouldn't do anything else to it
I’m comprehensively of the view modernise, albeit sympathetically. You tend the forget what cars of the 60s and 70s were like in period, which was in most cases bloody awful. It may be a nice dream to tool around in a classic vehicle, but rubbish handling and brakes will make you question your choice, as will breaking down in one.
Bottom line is that if you’re going to park it up and look at it, original is fine. But if you intend to use it, some modern touches are, in my opinion, absolutely necessary. For example, our VW split screen camper has disc brakes on the front, is slightly lowered for better handling, has an anti-roll bar and an enlarged and more powerful twin carb engine although still a flat 4 VW unit. We’ve put in a oil cooler too. This means you can keep up with modern traffic and not confined to the slow lane on the motorway, you can stop at will and it’s reliable. There’s no way I could tolerate it in original form.
Bottom line is that if you’re going to park it up and look at it, original is fine. But if you intend to use it, some modern touches are, in my opinion, absolutely necessary. For example, our VW split screen camper has disc brakes on the front, is slightly lowered for better handling, has an anti-roll bar and an enlarged and more powerful twin carb engine although still a flat 4 VW unit. We’ve put in a oil cooler too. This means you can keep up with modern traffic and not confined to the slow lane on the motorway, you can stop at will and it’s reliable. There’s no way I could tolerate it in original form.
I think it'd be a shame to change up something properly original, but I've no problem with mechanical upgrades or changing the looks if it's already been messed with.
Cases in point with my own bikes:
My '69 Starfire 250 - same worn tank, same hammerited rims and handlebars it came with. But I've re done the electrics, added indicators and electronic ignition, upgraded the clutch and added a headlight grille. I'm adding a period side panel that's non-original to the year, but is "of the type".
My '71 A65 lightning 650
Came to me crashed with flames badly painted on the leaky tank, metal flake side panels, exhausts not original (one fell off on the way to the mot). I'm doing what I like with that. Probably a street-tracker.
My '79 Bonneville 750
I did a lot of restoration work to that but tried to keep it as original as possible. Down to sending the Speedo to be refurbished but specifically telling the guy to use the old faces and needle. Only major non-original post was a better front brake (of similar type to original) and a 7 plate clutch conversion.
Cases in point with my own bikes:
My '69 Starfire 250 - same worn tank, same hammerited rims and handlebars it came with. But I've re done the electrics, added indicators and electronic ignition, upgraded the clutch and added a headlight grille. I'm adding a period side panel that's non-original to the year, but is "of the type".
My '71 A65 lightning 650
Came to me crashed with flames badly painted on the leaky tank, metal flake side panels, exhausts not original (one fell off on the way to the mot). I'm doing what I like with that. Probably a street-tracker.
My '79 Bonneville 750
I did a lot of restoration work to that but tried to keep it as original as possible. Down to sending the Speedo to be refurbished but specifically telling the guy to use the old faces and needle. Only major non-original post was a better front brake (of similar type to original) and a 7 plate clutch conversion.
CRA1G said:
I enjoy taking one out on a nice summers day listing to the original stereo with a few cassettes of the same year as the car...
Well done that man! It’s a particular bug bear of mine to see a lovely classic car, with a gaudy Halfords-special shoved in the dashIn saying that, when the tape deck in my old E30 disintegrated a few years ago, I did “upgrade” to one of these:
Dr Interceptor said:
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way.
what if it wasn't 100% original though? I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way.
- Stag engine swapped a ford V6 or Rover
- rostylealloys
etc
I suspect it all boils down to how much you want to spend/waste (depending on PoV).
Personally I'm in the mod it camp
Dr Interceptor said:
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
I'd surmise that a Triumph Stag is a comparatively "modern" classic car - Semi trailing arm IRS, rack and pinion steering, reasonably advanced for the time control layout etc. I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
Triumph Man said:
Dr Interceptor said:
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
I'd surmise that a Triumph Stag is a comparatively "modern" classic car - Semi trailing arm IRS, rack and pinion steering, reasonably advanced for the time control layout etc. I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
irocfan said:
Dr Interceptor said:
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way.
what if it wasn't 100% original though? I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way.
- Stag engine swapped a ford V6 or Rover
- rostylealloys
etc
I suspect it all boils down to how much you want to spend/waste (depending on PoV).
Personally I'm in the mod it camp
Im sure someone will ask about 1970s air for the tyres etc soon,
period mods and "upgrades" are ok in my book, perhaps even a rover V8 or ford V6??
I think it heavily depends if you want to keep it or flip it
My TVR is modified, im not planning on selling it in the foreseeable so when i was rebuilding it, i wanted to make it as good as i could, for me, and for my own enjoyment, if it has affected the value or not i have no clue and no care
My TVR is modified, im not planning on selling it in the foreseeable so when i was rebuilding it, i wanted to make it as good as i could, for me, and for my own enjoyment, if it has affected the value or not i have no clue and no care
Edited by christianyoung on Wednesday 11th March 16:50
Dr Interceptor said:
Triumph Man said:
Dr Interceptor said:
Depends on the car....
I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
I'd surmise that a Triumph Stag is a comparatively "modern" classic car - Semi trailing arm IRS, rack and pinion steering, reasonably advanced for the time control layout etc. I have a Triumph Stag that is 100% original, and I would never consider modernising in any way. On the flip side, my 1973 Beetle 1303 has a faster engine, disc brakes, LED headlights and tail lights, upgraded suspension, non-standard audio equipment, and is totally usable day or night.
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