So, my '36 sedan delivery: restore or leave the patina POLL

[Kube]

Okay guys, time to vote

I am really on the fence with this project. Many of you know I have restored numerous cars. I have enjoyed each and every one of those projects.
This one?
Not sure I have the heart to restore it. It is a super well-preserved car making it a great candidate for restoration.

So, vote will ya?
Poll option#1) leave it as it appears but make very road worthy.
Poll option#2) do one of my crazy full restorations.

Thanks for your opinions (in advance).

[Model51]

It's only original once, but on the other hand there can't be many really nice 1936 Sedan Deliveries around and you do amazing restoration work so it would be one of the best for sure.
If you leave it at is is and make it very road worthy, it can still be restored at a later date.

[jimTN]

Its much more fun to drive an unrestored car and not worry about every scratch or dent. Just concentrate on dependability.

[95476]

I have done 2 of them. Both were mild hot rods about an inch away from being cut up for scrap. Both were saved.Make it safe to drive and reliable and have fun with it is my vote.

[deuce_roadster]

Option 1 !

[V8ER]

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One.

[Mart]

Option 1. You get much more fun for the effort spent.

[ford38v8]

You already know the answer. Authentic originals deserve all the admiration they get. Restored versions of history are handsome, but lose something in the process.

[40Bud23]

I would go with #1...drive and enjoy.

[34fordy]

Why not save yourself a lot of work and frustration. Sell it. To me!! LOL

[Karl Wescott]

When I took my EMT class almost 50 years ago (ee gads! that long!) one of the major points brought up was from the teachings of Hippocrates: "physician, first do no harm". I think that concept may be relevant here. Kube, you are unsure of what direction to take at this time. If you paint it now it will surely look better... but it looks fine now (and has "desirable" character which you will surely lose with new paint. If you think new paint now is needed to stop the clock of aging or by your desire, by all means paint it. If you can preserve the car with patina and enjoy it, paint can always come later.

[KiWinUS]

One

[Kube]

I sincerely appreciate all of the opinions thus far. The poll goes for two weeks.

I do recall clearly one (of a zillion) things my grandfather taught me. That was when in doubt, don't do it.
I am attempting to eliminate that doubt one way or the other.
Ya know, I asked for a poll. Methinks I'll go for what you, the voters decide.

[mercurycyclone]

Leave unrestored

[Rockymountainsparky]

Kube, original only happens once. I'm trying to keep my '36 3W as original as I can.

[oldbugger]

i would choose original

[GB SISSON]

One and done

[cas3]

Things usually look better in pictures. You would know better than us...who haven't seen it up close. The current "patina" craze, is kinda mind boggling.

Who wouldn't want a nice straight original vehicle, but looking around Al's web we see the dealers want 25k for a 10k 60's pickup because it has surface rust on the hood.

In this case, that thing really looks good. I'm sure you will find some areas that don't qualify to you standards, but there are methods to match the patina for a few areas.

Imagine that, a guy with life long history of painting 100 point cars...needs to learn how to paint again!

GB knows the tricks. Whats the back story, that thing surely lived inside all its life

[restoman]

There are two kinds of old original cars. Some exist because they have had continuous maintenance and care and are absolutely beautiful. At the other end of the scale are original cars thar are all original because they have never had any care other than that needed to keep them running. They usually look quite rough. In between these two extremes there is a range of condition.

So Kube, you get to choose if the novelty of an unrestored car is appealing leave it alone. Maybe you can help it enough to appear well cared for. If it remains a display of serious neglect I am for restoration.

[35ragtop]

Hi Kube, I dont post very often, but your dilemma called to me. I am the proud owner of an “unrestored “ 1948 Mercury Convertible.
When I bought it , I heart ached for some time over it. Eventually I restored it mechanically, plus the upholstery which had been eaten by rodents over 40 years. I left the body as is, but I did replace the fender welts and the rubber body mounts.
Since completion ,I have attended National meets in Australia and several Spring Tours. I get many positive comments and the inevidable “when are you going to paint it?”
But to me its a time capsule, last registered in 1965, it is a glimpse into the heady days of school etc. So ,if you have a vehicle that is road worthy and unrestored, it is irreplaceable. Dont pull it apart and make it pristine, you have done that many times before.
Just my 5 cents worth - Dave h