----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich C" <richchrysler@quickclic.net>
To: "Dave Carpenter" <d.carpenter7@verizon.net>
Cc: "Healey List" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:40 PM
Subject: Re: Replacement Chassis vs. VALUE
> Some people may be missing the point here regarding Concours and
replacement
> frames.
> The National Concours Committee struggled with this subject a number of
> years ago when replacement frames started showing up under some pretty
> incredible fully restored cars.
> It was soon decided that though a frame is more complex, and forms the
very
> foundation of the car, it still must be evaluated the same as any other
part
> on the car that has been rebuilt, reconditioned, or entirely replaced.
> We judge all aspects of a car on 60% originality and 40%condition.
> Basic rule of thumb....if the part cannot be detected by observation as
> being other than original design, shape, features, etc, then it cannot
lose
> originality points. On the other hand if the part is obviously different
in
> design, shape, etc. (especially by casual observation) it must lose
> appropriate points.
> A number of replacement frames have been under cars that have been judged.
> Some have been such good reproductions that little has been deducted.
> That is not to say that some of these reproduction frames haven't got
> heavier gauge steel, etc. but the extra thickness has been designed into
the
> inside of the frame sections and the outside surfaces are of correct
> original design and features.
> We only judge and evaluate what we can see.
> As for the value aspect, many owner / restorers today have gotten into the
> Healey ownership only as of late, and many have a project that will indeed
> need a new frame, and probably 70% of the rest of the car will need to be
> renewed as well. This adds up to a lot of time, effort and money. The
final
> value will most certainly be a factor on how much they are willing to sink
> into the project, and though most of us aren't planning to sell the car
> soon, the day will come......Accuracy of the restoration will make tens of
> thousands of dollars of difference in the final evaluation.
> Personally, I would not hesitate to use an accurately reproduced frame, or
> any other part of the car for that matter to keep the cars we all love on
> the road.
> Rich Chrysler
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