| wmgmitchell | -- 12-26-2011 @ 7:02 AM |
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I bought a 40 Ford deluxe coupe recently. It's original with around 70k miles. The interior is in very good condition and it runs well. It has been reprinted with a non-original color;close to dark blue (the original color) but no cigar. Some of the glass has delaminates but overall it's in very good condition. Question: should I resist the urge to do more work than necessaary to keep it original, just fixing the things that need fixing or replacing like the glass and paint (re-paint to the original color)? Or, should I do things like painting the engine that, while not necessary will improve the overall appearance? Bill
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| trjford8 | -- 12-26-2011 @ 7:43 AM |
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Bill, is the interior original or original style replacement? If the interior is the original you could replace or renew everything else and still enter the car in the Rouge class at V-8 meet.You would get an award for the interior. In regards to the glass it depends if the glass is in such a condition that it impairs your view. If it impairs your view it needs to be changed. Not only is it a safety factor , but it could get you a ticket. Restoring different areas of a car is a slippery slope. Once you start, it usually leads to a total restoration because you are never happy leaving some parts undone. If the cars runs good, the interior is functional and the paint is presentable, I would just drive it and have fun. If you start to restore it it may take a long time before you drive it again. In addition it can become quite costly. JMHO
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| wmgmitchell | -- 12-26-2011 @ 5:45 PM |
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The interior is all original and it's in really good condition. Plus it has "that old smell." The only piece of glass that poses a safety issue is the drivers wind wing which, because of delamination makes seeing the rear view mirror difficult. The paint is in good shape but the color is troubling because it's not an original color. Your points are well taken. Bill
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| TomO | -- 12-27-2011 @ 6:58 AM |
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Bill, repainting a car to bring it back to original color, means a complete dis-assembly of the body including removal of all glass, doing all necessary body work, including removal of excess paint and filler painting the sub-assemblies and then assembling the body again. You may be able to save the headliner, but most of the time it will be damaged in the process. Other trim items may also be damaged in the process. If they are, you may not qualify for a Rouge award. In the end, it is your car and if you are unhappy with the color, paint it. If you can live with the color, live with it. As for the engine compartment, if everything is original, clean and touch up any rust areas. If you are going to have to touch up so much of the compartment that it looks like a bad case of measles, and you will not be happy with it, then paint it. Tom
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| wmgmitchell | -- 12-27-2011 @ 5:51 PM |
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Both of you with your considerable experience have the same opinion. Everything you've said makes sense and I think I'll fix the stuff that needs fixing and essentially leave it as is. Bill
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| TomO | -- 12-28-2011 @ 6:58 AM |
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Bill, The most important thing to do to a collector car is to take care of it in a way that makes you happy. Everyone has his own opinion of what is the best way to do this, but in the end, you are the owner and what makes you happy is the most important. You can see this at any National meet. The Touring Classes are for people that want to enjoy their cars and not have to restore them to the Club's originality standard. There are usually as many Touring Class cars as Concourse Class cars. Tom
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