I have a 1957 Aston Martin DB 2/4 MkII with large valve engine. Body in
dirty condition, front suspension, dash etc in boxes but all there, engine
rebuilt with all new mods by Aston expert. Would consider parting with it
as I am getting a wee bit too old for this type of lark - still working on
my MGB GT V8 !!
At 10:09 AM 12/9/2002 -0600, Rick Lindsay wrote:
>Michael writes,
>
> > I am trying to organize the projects into some order that makes sense.
>
> I have been restoring (read: playing with) cars for over 35 years
>and have managed to enjoy this hobby without having to get into
>the saving account for more than immediate cash-flow issues. In
>short, I have worked my way up the marque-ladder having started
>with a '68 Fiat 850 Spyder! I now restore Ferraris and BMW M-
>cars and am searching for the 'right' Aston Martin V8 coupe to
>restore. Hey, it beats the boredom. ;-)
> Here is what I do,
>+ stabalize
>+ correct
>+ restore
> Or stated in prose, stabalize any problems that cause further
>decay. This is always a first priority. Rust, old fluids, leaks,
>blown, leaking or weeping gaskets, etc., fall into this category.
>In short, quickly rectify any problems that cause further damage
>or decay to the car.
> Once stabalized, you now have time to correct previous owner's
>mistakes. These are typically cheap, temporary fixes and kludges
>or perhaps modifications. Remember, most of the cars we select
>to enjoy and restore are available to us because no one else was
>willing to spend another dime on them. They are the end product
>of am abandoned maintenance program. Example of this kind are
>new DIN radios, speakers, incorrect or misrouted hoses and clamps,
>and especially wiring screw-ups. This is where the phrase DPO
>is based. These issues need to be corrected and the affected system
>put back into as-originally-delivered status. Once you're at this
>point and the car is stabilized and correct, many examples will be
>usable and dependable cars, if sometimes a little ugly.
> Restoration is then the next step and can be moderated by the
>owner's long-term plan and budget. It is very easy to get 'upside
>down' in a restoration. That is, much more money invested than the
>finished product is worth. There is NOTHING wrong what that
>IF the goal is to enjoy your hobby and/or to keep the project -- and
>if you can afford it! Where the problem occurs is in self-deception
>or where one believes that anything done to the car will add resale
>value. I grew up in an era where teenagers believed that big stripes,
>blowers, hood scoops and fat tires added to the car's value. It just
>isn't so. Today, would you put a $10000 custom paint job on a
>rubber bumper MGB? Sure if that is what YOU want to do and
>you enjoy it and if you can afford it BUT, if your goal is to sell a
>restored car, there are lost of better places to put $10k -- like
>in three more MGB projects!
> These are just my thoughts after 50+ cars and lots of fun, I say,
>"Go for it!" -- but don't forget that it is just a hobby and hobbies
>need well-thought-out budgets. :-)
>
>Rick Lindsay / Tulsa
Regards
Barrie
Barrie Robinson - barrier@bconnex.net
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