Improving classics
Discussion
Personal choice I suppose.... I like mine totally as factory even down to the stereo... I've taken a few after market bits off my cars over the past years just to bring them back to factory spec.... The BMW 840 Sport is notorious for it's brakes and many are modified but I believe it is a character of that eara and kept mine as standard.
I would say very much depends on the car type and the fact its not going to be a daily driver [ in most cases ] so i am all for modding.
Something like a old Rover, the type of classic that just wafts along, quiet comfy, slow, handles like a shopping trolley, that sort of thing, i suspect left alone would be best.
On the other hand, Mk 1 or 2 Escorts and the like REALLY suit modding, how far you go though is very much a personal thing.
Life's too short to think about it until you are too old to enjoy it, all IMO of course
Something like a old Rover, the type of classic that just wafts along, quiet comfy, slow, handles like a shopping trolley, that sort of thing, i suspect left alone would be best.
On the other hand, Mk 1 or 2 Escorts and the like REALLY suit modding, how far you go though is very much a personal thing.
Life's too short to think about it until you are too old to enjoy it, all IMO of course
I think that rather depends on what you own, and on what you want it for... and sometimes, who you wish to impress.
From one extreme to the other, pretty much all my old Triumph Heralds had alternators, disc brakes, H4 headlamps, decent wipers and radial tyres - made a huge difference come winter time. Most also had engine swaps/upgrades, one had a TR6 set up. They're not rare or expensive tho'. The TR7 had lots done, mainly to accomodate the fuel injected V8. Most of my bikes have been modded in one way or another, from full hardtail chops to just tyres and exhausts, and I've rarely left my cars alone. Most have benefitted from the mods, but I have to admit that there are some modifications that I wouldn't advise anybody to carry out. My '36 Austin had an independent Jag' rear end, discs all round, a Pontiac power steering set up and a 4.2 litre twin cam straight six.
My old van has a '67 Camaro engine and gear box, but I wouldn't change my '74 Laverda far from stock - it does everything that I want it to do as it is. And I think it would be the same story if I ever get hold of a Triumph Italia...
From one extreme to the other, pretty much all my old Triumph Heralds had alternators, disc brakes, H4 headlamps, decent wipers and radial tyres - made a huge difference come winter time. Most also had engine swaps/upgrades, one had a TR6 set up. They're not rare or expensive tho'. The TR7 had lots done, mainly to accomodate the fuel injected V8. Most of my bikes have been modded in one way or another, from full hardtail chops to just tyres and exhausts, and I've rarely left my cars alone. Most have benefitted from the mods, but I have to admit that there are some modifications that I wouldn't advise anybody to carry out. My '36 Austin had an independent Jag' rear end, discs all round, a Pontiac power steering set up and a 4.2 litre twin cam straight six.
My old van has a '67 Camaro engine and gear box, but I wouldn't change my '74 Laverda far from stock - it does everything that I want it to do as it is. And I think it would be the same story if I ever get hold of a Triumph Italia...
My 68 GT Junior 1300 Alfa has been drastically improved with "period" mods. Better pads, bucket seats of the era, 2 litre engine as fitted by Alfa , and new rubber bushes throughout. A nice handling kit again with period setup. Still on carbs from the bigger engined model. The only electronics are a 123 distributor for reliability and electric cooling fan with overide switch for safety.
Visually and internally it's still a 53yr old car that just goes and stops better.
Visually and internally it's still a 53yr old car that just goes and stops better.
My first Rover P6 was a 2000TC which the previous owner had fitted with a power steering conversion kit, it was such a nice car to drive partly because of this. The following year I bought another P6, a 3500 which unusually for a V8 had no power steering and was quite awkward to drive (most V8s had the PAS from the factory when new). My first P5B Coupe had a Kenlow fan kit fitted by the dealer I bought it from, this was a real boon in the Summer as it was my everyday car at the time.
My '68 Cooper S has electronic ignition and is all the better for it.
My '92 Maserati Biturbo 430 came with some awful chavtastic dump valves and assorted pipework fitted by a previous owner, as soon as the new intercooler pipes arrive they'll be coming straight off!
My '68 Cooper S has electronic ignition and is all the better for it.
My '92 Maserati Biturbo 430 came with some awful chavtastic dump valves and assorted pipework fitted by a previous owner, as soon as the new intercooler pipes arrive they'll be coming straight off!
rampageturke said:
all classics should be EV converted
runs into bomb proof shelter
I think that would make a nice modification to my X300, the engine is really nice, but it's job is to be as unobtrusive as possible, so an EV conversion would be fun. Not that it would ever make any financial sense.runs into bomb proof shelter
On the other hand if I still had the XK150 then
I have made various modifications to my classic, most are sympathetic and improvements, modern lighting etc. The car does not look out of place next to it's siblings. My main argument is they stopped making them in 1975 so I'm going for what would the car have if it had been made in newer models.
Sort of like Mk1 Golf to it's latest gen.
Sort of like Mk1 Golf to it's latest gen.
crankedup5 said:
Love the motorbike, Laverda ?
Cheers, it's a 1974 Laverda SF750 twin, about sixty brake and 110m.p.h. I was becoming a bit disillusioned with bikes and bought this after placing a stupidly low bid on an Ebay auction. It certainly boosted my interest in two wheels again. It needed some spoodling to put a few things right, but had receipts for some serious expenditure. Definitely not one I will be chopping about.
That Laverda is lovely...and yes, leave it be.
As others have said, it depends on the car imo.
I love hot rods and kustoms, so should be firmly in the modding camp, but, I can equally appreciate a lovely all stock, and well maintained classic that drives as it left the factory, other than maybe the odd concession to modernity such as electronic ignition and stuff like that.
As others have said, it depends on the car imo.
I love hot rods and kustoms, so should be firmly in the modding camp, but, I can equally appreciate a lovely all stock, and well maintained classic that drives as it left the factory, other than maybe the odd concession to modernity such as electronic ignition and stuff like that.
I’ve made a couple of improvements to my Cougar you’d struggle to spot when it was standing.
LED rear light cluster- because I’ve kept the original red indicators I wanted them to be nice and bright and easily seen, the headlight covers are now electrically powered rather than vacuum, so they work! and I’m in the process of replacing the front lap belts with period 3 point belts.
Imo it makes the car much safer and better for this century!
LED rear light cluster- because I’ve kept the original red indicators I wanted them to be nice and bright and easily seen, the headlight covers are now electrically powered rather than vacuum, so they work! and I’m in the process of replacing the front lap belts with period 3 point belts.
Imo it makes the car much safer and better for this century!
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Thursday 9th December 19:20
I've modified my Riley to make it safer (front disc brakes, inertia seat belts, wider wheels& tyres), more comfortable (different seats) and more enjoyable (flowed head, tubular manifold) to drive.
As a result we drove over 2,500 miles in it between April and September but just 792 miles in our modern car from one MOT to the next which says it all really - i.e. do what gives you the most enjoyment.
As a result we drove over 2,500 miles in it between April and September but just 792 miles in our modern car from one MOT to the next which says it all really - i.e. do what gives you the most enjoyment.
I think it may depend on what you're starting with.
I have a '59 Frogeye Sprite, but it's a bit of a Frankenstein - a 1275 engine (very common upgrade) etc.
Since I bought it, I've replaced the interior, added heated seats (yes, with a dynamo!), GPS speedo and other bits.
I've tried to make it sympathetic e.g. you can't see the heated seat switches and the GPS speedo is subtle.
It never was gonna be a show winner / concours, so tweaks to make it more comfortable and reliable are good to me!
I have a '59 Frogeye Sprite, but it's a bit of a Frankenstein - a 1275 engine (very common upgrade) etc.
Since I bought it, I've replaced the interior, added heated seats (yes, with a dynamo!), GPS speedo and other bits.
I've tried to make it sympathetic e.g. you can't see the heated seat switches and the GPS speedo is subtle.
It never was gonna be a show winner / concours, so tweaks to make it more comfortable and reliable are good to me!
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