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The perfect classic #1671851
07/05/2024 15:26
07/05/2024 15:26
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
P
PaulL Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
PaulL  Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
Enjoying the ride
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
Reading about people modifying their cars got me thinking.

If you had a 1952 Ferrari that had been wrapped in cotton wool since coming out of the factory, and only taken out once a year for preservation maintenance, would it be 'better' than the same car that had lived a careful used life, withe some miles and patina ?

I was at a Motor Show one year, and an owner was displaying his 1940s black Austin. It was his pride and joy, although a little shabby. He maintained it himself where he could.
He wanted it to look 'new' by having a respray.

The rest of the Austin owners around him were being a bit heavy, in poo pooing the idea, saying that is car was relatively genuine and displayed patina.

My view is that he lives with it. He pays for it and he wants to enjoy it.

There's a mad guy with fluorescent green coupe in North Yorkshire. Not for me, but he enjoys it.

Discuss !

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1671852
07/05/2024 16:32
07/05/2024 16:32
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,070
ation
szkom Offline
Club member 2000
szkom  Offline
Club member 2000
Forum is my life

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,070
ation
Pays ya money and take your choice. Personally I think cars are for driving but one debate I've been having lately is the usability of classics. Simply put an 80s hot hatch is outpaced by even a modest family car these days. So if you want one it's likely relegated to special occasion. Which brings me to, I think my point.

I think it depends more about why you bought the car and it's value. Using your example, most people couldn't afford to own it and even less to replace it. Naturally that gives rise to the museum spec car as people want to maintain it's value. In theory if it's as good at the the end of your tenure as when you got it you shouldn't lose out. As for better, I'm not sure as officially I'd like a factory fresh version I drove daily. In the case of the Austin they seem to value originality.

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1671854
07/05/2024 17:25
07/05/2024 17:25
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17,487
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Offline
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Offline
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 17,487
Auld Reekie
Up to the owner. Others don't have to like what's done to it, that's their prerogative; different though to telling someone else they're 'wrong'.

If Chris Bangle designed something it is very likely to work not just for him but for many others, but if an owner wants their own rear lights for example it's only 'better' or 'worse' as an opinion rather than right or wrong - it's just 'different'.

IMHO smile


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1671859
08/05/2024 04:22
08/05/2024 04:22
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 27
Hampshire
H
Hammie Offline
Club member 2088
Hammie  Offline
Club member 2088
Discoverer
H

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 27
Hampshire
I have a foot in both camps.

My coupe I have kept as original as possible. It has lacquer peel in a couple of places and paint only done where there was rusty bits. I have changed discs for cross drilled, lowered 30mm, changed the wheel colour to black and an exhaust with centre box removed. All things are reversible if someone wanted to.

In my little collection I have an XJS convertible which is immaculate low mileage but once again some mechanical have been upgraded to improve the driving such as polybushed when one goes and fitted a rear anti roll bar which was an option when new. Adjustable shock absorbers and 16" lattice alloys. Once again reversible.

Lastly I have another XJS. The holy trail is a pre HE factory manual which Jaguar built to use up the last of the E type gearboxes. Only 320ish were made. How many survive? Heavily modified in the 80s which can never be original again.

My choices

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1671904
09/05/2024 18:22
09/05/2024 18:22
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,070
ation
szkom Offline
Club member 2000
szkom  Offline
Club member 2000
Forum is my life

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,070
ation
I'm surprised more people haven't bitten. It's quite a divisive topic.

For example when does shabby become patina? Age, rarity, value?

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1671911
10/05/2024 06:58
10/05/2024 06:58
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
P
PaulL Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
PaulL  Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
Enjoying the ride
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
My wife would describe me as shabby.

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672118
26/05/2024 08:40
26/05/2024 08:40
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,310
Kent, South East
Cooperman Offline
Former Membership Secretary 215
Cooperman  Offline
Former Membership Secretary 215
My job on the forum

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,310
Kent, South East
I have definitely developed some patina over the years along with hair loss smile
We enjoy our cars and whatever mods or paint/ wraps float our boat seems fair to me. Yes purists will say otherwise but it’s personal to each owner. My NA is mostly original but I have upgraded the interior and re sprayed also fitted an SS exhaust but it makes smile when I open the Garage door!


[Linked Image]
Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672131
26/05/2024 19:55
26/05/2024 19:55
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
P
PaulL Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
PaulL  Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
Enjoying the ride
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
Yes, that's it, it makes you smile !

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672143
27/05/2024 19:33
27/05/2024 19:33
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,287
West Berks
skinflint Offline
I need some sleep
skinflint  Offline
I need some sleep

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,287
West Berks
I would like to get mine resprayed but don't want the respray to blister, flake, peel, chip etc. so might try to get a specialist to touch up the chips and push out the dents. The Ink black paint seems to last really well.
Has anyone ever ratted a Coupe? Saw this on one of the many Henry Cole programs today an I think it looks fantastic! Ratted E-Type

Last edited by skinflint; 27/05/2024 20:12.
Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672148
28/05/2024 01:55
28/05/2024 01:55
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
P
PaulL Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
PaulL  Offline OP
Club Member 1872, Regional Rep N.E.
Enjoying the ride
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 857
Cleveland
Not for me, but if you wait long enough.....

Re: The perfect classic [Re: skinflint] #1672164
28/05/2024 13:02
28/05/2024 13:02
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 158
Devon
ucoupia Offline
Club member 1357
ucoupia  Offline
Club member 1357
On a journey

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 158
Devon
As someone who worked for a Jag specialist i think this piece of detritus needs to say hello to a scud missile,
preferably one travelling at mach 5.

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672165
28/05/2024 13:51
28/05/2024 13:51
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,006
Dorchester
R
respace Offline
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,006
Dorchester
Looks like it may have already met with a missle, awful shouldn't be allowed.

Re: The perfect classic [Re: PaulL] #1672186
30/05/2024 05:55
30/05/2024 05:55
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,722
Berlin
barnacle Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
barnacle  Offline
Club Member 18 - ex-Minister without Portfolio
Forum Demigod

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 33,722
Berlin
I too am of the opinion that the ratted style is not for me, but I suppose there's something for everyone.

Equally, I think a car's designers generally do a better job of designing the bodywork than most aftermarket plastic panel makers, though, so what do I know?

What I really hate to see is a car that's kept in cotton wool and never driven... journalists (and readers!) gushing over sixty year old Ferraris with 'only 4,000km on the clock' really wind me up. If the vehicle is not driven ('just to the MOT station once a year!') then irrespective of the mechanical issues caused by lack of use, it has failed in its primary function.

I don't worry about every tiny scratch on the paintwork; I don't wash it every time I drive it (except in Turin trips, of course! laugh ); I don't refuse to take it out in the rain. Just drive the bloody things and stop obsessing!

Neil


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