Keep it original or do some work?
Discussion
I imagine this is something that most classis owners debate with over time, and I now find myself at this stage.
I have a 1970 Tuscan V6 which is basically as it left the factory. It hasnt had any major restoration over the years and as a result the paint is a little tired ( scratches etc) and the interior trim, especially carpets have seen better days, although not "tatty".
It has also been featured as a cover car in classic car magazine with an accompanying article. Oct 1999.
Over the winter I am thinking about a respray ( in original colour) and a re-trim, again as close to original as possible.
Would this mean that I have somehow "violated" the car affecting its future value, or would it look more like it has been well looked after and therefore more desirable than a tired looking example.
I am also very tempted by an engine out stage 2/3 jobby on the V6 and a referesh job on the wheels.
My own personal view is that i would like something with fresh paint and clean, neat interior which went well and sounded amazing, without straying too far from original spec. I suppose this isnt a lot more than getting it back to day one nick, but where is the line between a restored car and an original?
ahh, the dilemma.......advice as always, gratefully received.........
I have a 1970 Tuscan V6 which is basically as it left the factory. It hasnt had any major restoration over the years and as a result the paint is a little tired ( scratches etc) and the interior trim, especially carpets have seen better days, although not "tatty".
It has also been featured as a cover car in classic car magazine with an accompanying article. Oct 1999.
Over the winter I am thinking about a respray ( in original colour) and a re-trim, again as close to original as possible.
Would this mean that I have somehow "violated" the car affecting its future value, or would it look more like it has been well looked after and therefore more desirable than a tired looking example.
I am also very tempted by an engine out stage 2/3 jobby on the V6 and a referesh job on the wheels.
My own personal view is that i would like something with fresh paint and clean, neat interior which went well and sounded amazing, without straying too far from original spec. I suppose this isnt a lot more than getting it back to day one nick, but where is the line between a restored car and an original?
ahh, the dilemma.......advice as always, gratefully received.........
Owen,
I would advise you to do the work, better quality carpets and a revamp of the interior certainly would not put me off. If the cars painted properly its only going to add value, its not like its an antique. You can mod the engines internals, some porting work, a cam and you just wouldn't know by looking at it!
Its a lovly car Owen, so give it some TLC. (IMHO)
Supes.
I would advise you to do the work, better quality carpets and a revamp of the interior certainly would not put me off. If the cars painted properly its only going to add value, its not like its an antique. You can mod the engines internals, some porting work, a cam and you just wouldn't know by looking at it!
Its a lovly car Owen, so give it some TLC. (IMHO)
Supes.
these cars belong on the road or preferably the track. when new a pretty sparse effort was put into trimming them. let alone 30 plus year old crap interiors.
enjoy the car. do what you want with it and drive it. as i said our cars are for drivers not show queens. your car is rare. it will always be rare don't let that worry you.
look at what i have done to mine?? Ask me if i care what others think. I'm going to have lots of fun
Neil
enjoy the car. do what you want with it and drive it. as i said our cars are for drivers not show queens. your car is rare. it will always be rare don't let that worry you.
look at what i have done to mine?? Ask me if i care what others think. I'm going to have lots of fun
Neil
obiwonkeyblokey said:
My own personal view is that i would like something with fresh paint and clean, neat interior which went well and sounded amazing, without straying too far from original spec.
Then that's what you do. It's your car, and there's no point doing what someone else thinks is the right thing - do what you want.
obiwonkeyblokey said:
where is the line between a restored car and an original?
That's an easier question to answer. Original is original. Anything else, however nicely done and however true to the original spec, is not original.
davidy said:
Show me a pre-19080 TVR that is completely original, I can only think of one car that is even close
...so unrestored and/or unmodified cars are rare, which makes the original question all the more relevant. Is it worth keeping it original simply because there aren't many left like that?
Andrew
Many Pre-1973 cars left the factory as kits, now just what is original? The factory changed specifications regularly (being on stop with suppliers probably had something to do with it!!), now just what is original?
As far as I'm concerned the cars there there to be to used (and abused) and if that means a re-paint, chassis restoration, some mods, so be it.
Early TVRs are unlikely to ever become really valuable, TVR just don't have the motorsport pedigree of someone like Lotus, however they can be an enormous amount of fun.
Just do what you want to do to it. its your car!
davidy
Many Pre-1973 cars left the factory as kits, now just what is original? The factory changed specifications regularly (being on stop with suppliers probably had something to do with it!!), now just what is original?
As far as I'm concerned the cars there there to be to used (and abused) and if that means a re-paint, chassis restoration, some mods, so be it.
Early TVRs are unlikely to ever become really valuable, TVR just don't have the motorsport pedigree of someone like Lotus, however they can be an enormous amount of fun.
Just do what you want to do to it. its your car!
davidy
I was saying that 'original' is all the bits that were on it when it was new (whoever built it). There's a difference between that and 'restored to original spec' and I agree it might be tricky to establish what the original spec was.
But I think we're agreed on the important bit, which is do what you want with your car - don't worr y about the Concours Police...
But I think we're agreed on the important bit, which is do what you want with your car - don't worr y about the Concours Police...
Andrew Noakes said:
Original is original. Anything else
Interesting discussion, I have an interest in a '67 Tuscan. It was modified in 1971, we have the receipts. It is pictured in modified form in Filby's Success Against the Odds. If we were to restore it, do we take it back to 67 factory spec or keep the 71 mods?
Four points.
a) Our learned friends say it's continous history. See the "Old No 1" Case.
b) There's DSJ's views on fakes and replicas. I love his story about a Bugatti restoration, where most is replaced with new bits, but they retain the chassis plate. A neighbour screws all the "scrap" together - which is the orginal car?
c) What do you want to do with the car - do you want FIA papers. The FIA are to allow "to original spec" new cars. DSJ's "air cars"!
d) The mods - roll cage, wider wheels flared arches, etc, may make it more useable.
The car would need a new paint job, so do I keep the original dark red, or go to the current silver, or choose another.
I'm sure the answer will depend on budget and mode. Enjoy your car.
davidy said:
I reckon you should 'restore' it as you see fit, then drive it like you stole it, as I'm sure thats what Martin Lilley would want you to do!!
davidy
Without a question of a doubt!
(Trever Wilkinson would probably be quite chuffed as well)
Supes.
>> Edited by supaspark on Thursday 29th September 11:34
tvrgaas said:
The car would need a new paint job, so do I keep the original dark red, or go to the current silver, or choose another.
The problem with resprays and wether to keep it original is now impossible - you can't get the type of paint used as it is illegal and has a different finish. You could get it colour matched, but that would probably be only to the faded paint work.
I'd rather have a well cared for car that has been updated/modernised than a museum piece.
In the end, you have to go for what you like and stuff everyone elses opinions, even if that means leaving it exactly as it is.
supaspark said:
I reckon you should 'restore' it as you see fit, then drive it like you stole it, as I'm sure thats what Martin Lilley would want you to do!!
davidy
Without a question of a doubt!
(Trever Wilkinson would probably be quite chuffed as well)
Supes.
Absobloominglootly! BTW David, I havn't seen Roger Coulsey's Taimar Turbo SE
for quite a few years. Does it get out much? Pietro
IMHO it is impossible to keep any car totally original - as soon as you change any of the weary out bits (tyres, plugs, oil!!) it's no longer original (taking the extreme view). You can't get all the OEM parts now anyway - so what's a boy to do?
Carpets and paint are almost consumables - if a car is 30 odd years old then they've just plain warn out! Personally I'd baulk chopping the body/chassis about or cutting holes in the interior to put that 3,000 watt sound system in and, personally, I feel swapping the V6 for a yank V8 is a bit sad nowadays as there aren't many of the original 101 made left.
Carpets and paint are almost consumables - if a car is 30 odd years old then they've just plain warn out! Personally I'd baulk chopping the body/chassis about or cutting holes in the interior to put that 3,000 watt sound system in and, personally, I feel swapping the V6 for a yank V8 is a bit sad nowadays as there aren't many of the original 101 made left.
Patina is an excuse for not spending any money.
New Carpets will soon have that worn look, paint work will soon have stone chips. All I'd say is make sure the mechanics are right before you spend your money. Better to have new brakes and a worn carpet than new carpet and worn brakes.
It's your car, YOU do what YOU want !!
(I'm about the take my mk2 cavalier SRi and fit an Irmsher Bodykit from the 80's to it, and spray it in a pastel blue, and eventually I'm going to fit a tuned V6 to it, and some enthusiasts will most likely talk behind my back saying I've ruined a prefect example. I care not. It's my Car!!!)
New Carpets will soon have that worn look, paint work will soon have stone chips. All I'd say is make sure the mechanics are right before you spend your money. Better to have new brakes and a worn carpet than new carpet and worn brakes.
It's your car, YOU do what YOU want !!
(I'm about the take my mk2 cavalier SRi and fit an Irmsher Bodykit from the 80's to it, and spray it in a pastel blue, and eventually I'm going to fit a tuned V6 to it, and some enthusiasts will most likely talk behind my back saying I've ruined a prefect example. I care not. It's my Car!!!)
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