Modifications or Abominations Verses Restorations

The more and more I check the classifieds for antique cars for sale, it is really noticeable how many people out there love to modify classic cars or attempt to only to sell their half finished project to some sucker to finish. Do not get me wrong, if the modifications have be done 'tastefully' they look really good. However if they have been done half-ass, over done, or incomplete they are sickening for those puritans who love bone stock classics. The worst part of all this is, misinformed people modifying a rare classic to make it worth more. Sorry to burst your bubble but by doing so, not only are you making it worth thousands less, you are destroying something that if restored would be appreciated by more people than you can think of. This mostly applied to modifying the classics made from automotive manufactures that are not around anymore. So those who appreciate Fords, GMC, Chrysler and imports can chop, drop and swap as much as they want since those classics are considerably more common.

Sure people can say all they want how returning antique cars back to stock suck is not as cool as modifying a classic. I beg to differ since it is not about being cool, that was the yesteryear, it is about preserving an antique for its history of the manufacturer and the car. However trying to get that across to some people of my generation is trying to talk to a wall.... some people just do not understand whatsoever. The Dogma is strong and yet at the same time some would rather blow black soot out their exhaust and make the next generation suffer because it is COOL. Not to change this to an environmentalism rant, but seriously, how many gear heads/ car enthusiasts are for protecting the climate? To more it a bit more to the extreme how many people who love modifications would chop, drop and put a Mercedes 300SL on airbags? Consider that, that car restored is worth easily 1.5 million dollars on the low end and their production numbers are lower than some Orphan Marques. So it is a Mercedes, what if is it would be a Nash, Hudson, Packard, Rambler or Kaiser; or one of the Big three? All I asking is before someone starts modifying the antique car they do some research and find out how rare or common it is. 'Cause you do not want to turn a car you bought for 2000, that is worth 7500 into scrap metal only worth 500 right?

To each their own everyone says... it is their car so they can do whatever they want...

Think before you start, since you could sell your rare antique car for more than you pay for in many cases and get something you might have been wanting for a very long time.

Soulful Serenity

To put it simply, everything the last few weeks has been falling together quite nice. Mind you I still have several things I have to figure out, but those shouldn't be too hard. The only unfortunate thing about February has been me getting sick, but it happens and at-least it wasn't the flu, since that would have taken my perfect attendance in a heartbeat.

Beside being busy this month and the phase winding down this coming Tuesday, I have been talking with my fellow car club members and they been encouraging me and are really looking forward to seeing my classics back on the road. I too, am looking forward to get them all restored but I the only that is going to slow me down from getting them complete is sourcing missing parts. I can do all the work myself. As for Upholstery, I found a text book on the topic so I am going to teach myself in the meantime and then maybe sometime next year go to Wyotech again (different Campus) and learn it to get the certification behind me.

Other than that I have been looking and finding more classic cars here and there. Some for sale, others that have sold already. The hunt for them is for me quite easy, I do not know how to describe it but I can find pretty well any car I wanted in under twenty minutes. Just if they are for sale/sold, or in the condition I want them is a complete different story.

Lately I was talking to another club member and we had discussed cars for sale around North America. We found many listing ranging in years from mid 30's to mid 50's but most of them Orphan Marques. For me to say the least, if it isn't 'rare' I do really want to own it. So all those classics made by the Big Three (Ford, Chrysler and GM) do not really interest me as much - however I am going to still save them from getting crushed since another enthusiast who loves them would buy it from me.
I am interested in learning more about Nash and Packard; Maybe something on Studebaker and Kasier Fraser too.

No wind serves a ship that has no port.

Spanish proverb

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Epictetus

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.

Marshall Ferdinand Foch