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02-05-2019, 11:23 AM | #1 |
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Preservation vs Restoration
I am interested in hearing thoughts on preservation vs restoration. Consider a rare model, Model A, in close to original unrestored condition. Some areas are, as would be expected, rough, ie. top and interior material; but it has all original parts and there is no rust. This particular car could very easily be brought back to original unrestored condition with a modest investment and searching for original materials. Conversely, it is such a solid car it could be restored to the highest level, no patch panels no fillers.
Even the rarer Model A's will come on the market occasionally, I have not seen one come on the market in this condition in the last few years since I have been search for this particular model. I know the trend in the market is for unrestored originals. I have seen many beautifully restored examples of this model come on the market, and some very rough unrestored examples missing most, if not all of the hard to find components. Ten or fifteen years ago, the prevailing thought would be to restore, even more so given the cars solid condition. But...they are only original once, just seems unfortunate to tamper with that. Any thoughts? |
02-05-2019, 11:33 AM | #2 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
It is only original once. Without seeing the car, my OP is, go thru it and make mechanically safe and enjoy. There are enough restored cars or cars that were started and never finished out there now. Depending on your age and income, to restore is going to take how long? A couple, 5, 10, 20, never?
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02-05-2019, 12:00 PM | #3 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
you can see the car listed on Mafca= A400
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02-05-2019, 12:39 PM | #4 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
How about a link for us that do not go to that site.
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02-05-2019, 01:20 PM | #5 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
I think this is the one ronn means - scroll down to the A400 near the bottom: https://www.mafca.com/cl/cl-v-sale.html |
02-05-2019, 01:48 PM | #6 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
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02-09-2019, 10:10 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
But as you say beauty is the eye of the beholder and it is your car. Karl
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02-10-2019, 12:57 AM | #8 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
Properly adjusted mechanical brakes will slide all four wheels. Properly adjusted hydraulic brakes will slide all four wheels. Seems to be just a matter of personal preference! I will add that a hydraulic conversion with a dual master cylinder that is not properly set up will lose all its brakes with just a small leak in either front OR rear. |
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02-11-2019, 04:10 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
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02-11-2019, 11:52 AM | #10 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
I did mean a dual master cylinder. The problem is that total pedal travel has to be the same as original or the pedal will hit the floor before the brakes are applied in case of a leak. If you've ever blown a hose, you noticed that the pedal went to about an inch off the floor before you had any brakes! That is normal. If a dual master is mounted in an early car and has less pedal travel than OEM or pedal ratio is different, the pedal will likely hit the floor before you have any brakes! |
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02-05-2019, 01:58 PM | #11 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
From a dollars and cents viewpoint, the car you describe likely would bring more money restored, although it might not make a profit or even recover investment. I understand the "it's only original once" argument. But the second it left the assembly line, it was no longer original. The first time someone slid into the seat, started the engine, shifted gears, applied the brakes, etc, it started incurring wear. It may have had all its original parts but it was no longer factory original. Yes, that’s an extreme definition but it’s nonetheless true.
Seems to me the question is whether to keep the car as is, with the 90 or so years of history it has accumulated, or restore it as closely as possible to how it left the factory (given that some original materials may be “unobtainium”). Both have merit. In the case of the car you describe, there are restored examples. So my preference is to do only enough to make the car safely and reliably operable and minimize further deterioration. But that brings up a couple more questions. If the goal is to preserve the car as is, should it become a “trailer queen" to prevent (impossible) or at least minimize further deterioration? Or should it be driven as it was intended to be? The latter will eventually require replacement of some of the car's parts, making it less original. And there’s an even thornier question: assume the car is the ONLY surviving example…preserve or restore? |
02-06-2019, 05:36 AM | #12 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
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02-06-2019, 01:58 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
As has been pointed out in this thread, "original" means different things to different people. I agree it means what came out of the factory but my definition ends there. Seat upholstery with a hole worn in it may have been originally installed in the car but it is no longer as it left the factory. |
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02-05-2019, 02:39 PM | #14 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
My (admittedly extreme) take: Unless you can come up with the original air for the tires, it will never be factory original, nor ever be a 100% restoration to original! It will just have an original appearance!! And, what about the original fingerprints of the employee that first drove it out of the factory??
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02-05-2019, 02:51 PM | #15 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
It seems that any time there is a gathering of Model A's it is the completely original cars that attract the most attention.
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02-05-2019, 03:20 PM | #16 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
thanks Chud, yes that be it.
almost easier to take an old restoration car and give it the "look" of patina. Then you at least already have a driving vehicle. Cost being about the same, easier to make a good car look worse then to bring this one up in condition. |
02-05-2019, 03:32 PM | #17 | |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Quote:
Steve, I know you and I have discussed this car some awhile ago, and my thoughts on your particular question(s) is, -it really not that cut & dried. Great opinions above and I will add my 2 cents. The hobby from my perspective has blossomed over the past few decades where there is not one particular genre that is right or wrong any more. "Survivor" used to mean something totally different than what it does today. "Restored" used to mean something totally different than it does today. Included in that is restorations capabilities of car owners (i.e.: skills, resources, funds, etc.) used to be totally different than what they are today, ...so all those differences added up means there is a market for every types of Model-As in all types of conditions. Your vehicle will likely appeal to a buyer who wants to own it as-is, -or possibly someone who is a hobbyist restorer with possibly limited skills who is looking for an easier restoration. The biggest thing you need to do is find THAT person that loves the vehicle for the genre it represents as that person is the one that will spend the most money on it. Best wishes. |
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02-05-2019, 08:44 PM | #18 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Not really a direct answer to the question asked but....
One of my favorite cars is a 65 fuel injected corvette an acquaintance owns. He bought it in 68 and has driven it once a week to work and occasionally on weekends ever since. The lacquer is checked, it's never been painted. The carpet and seats are worn. Motor/trans have never been apart. While the FI unit has been serviced, its never been restored just maintained. What an awesome car. It would be a crime to tear it all apart to make it look pretty and new. Others, unless its a truely unique model, that have been used and abused. Restore em. modify em. It's the owners car to do with as they want. |
02-05-2019, 09:35 PM | #19 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
Find them fix them drive them. have fun!
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02-05-2019, 09:55 PM | #20 |
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Re: Preservation vs Restoration
I wish there were more photos. It looks pretty good, but that price seems quite reasonable. I vote for preservation, but it really depends on what you are starting with. You are in the same state, so you have probably seen it in person. You can also buy it and decide exactly what to do later.
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