Hello Dave...
I've had it with "Purists" standing around in sophmoric high school type
cliques... ignoring a non-stock TR or making rude comments, etc...
This is where I stand....
After watching the newsgroup for over a year now... I've heard guys say, "The
DPO did this..." , "The DPO did that...", "The stupid DPO did this..." etc...
and then they go on to tell how they brought the car back to "original"....
Well.... that's just it... that's what restoring a car is often about... the joy
of restoring a car to the new owner's taste and pocketbook.... sometimes the
joy is in repairing "DPO modifications".... Part of the joy is even telling
others what the "DPO" had done!
(Not every restoration has to start with a PURE unadultered car found in a barn
somewhere! In fact, to some, that may just be too easy! and possibly too
expensive, unless they were one of those lucky guys that made a "deal" with the
old farmer's widow!)
That said...
It's YOUR car.... restore it how you would like... Make all the changes you
want. Certainly, you should be aware that changes generally damage the "value"
of the car... but if you're not in it for the "investment" interest... but
rather the joy.... then it shouldn't be an issue.
Yes, if you make modifications, you're never going to win a concours... but if
you make modifications cleanly, and tastefully (you be the judge of that!)....
you could win "favorites" catagories... or go to TRIUMPHEST in California, and
win the show.... (modifications are ok if done nicely, etc.)
I try to limit modifications to ones that could be removed/replaced without a
lot of effort.... but if I should decide to cut a hole in the body somewhere for
a performance modification... so be it... a future owner of the car can replace
the steel, if he wants...
When I get the sort of snubbing from other TR owners, in regards to the
modifications I have made... OR the fact that my current 4A is not done, and is,
thus, a bit ratty.... It simply brings to my attention that this is NOT the
person in the club at a show that I will want to try to engage in
conversation... I'll move on to the more pleasant people.
It sounds to me like you should worry less about being original... and maybe
focus on doing things cleanly... with a flair for the vintage nature of the
car.... Ask yourself, "What would look right for the period?", etc... this
is my main theme in restoring both my TR 4A's... (One is still in the "in boxes"
stage).... the driver I tend to lean towards original.... only because I
figure the second one will be the one I keep for a lifetime... etc...
anyways... just food for thought.
--Justin
Dave Terrick wrote:
> Hi Listers,
>
> Dave in Winterpeg here.
>
> Last night we had our sports car club (racing) banquet. The upshot of my
> sentiment toward the direction of the club and the direction of my finances
> and/or time is that it is time to "not" race for a while.
>
> that said, and following the recent threads on which cars to buy/restore,
> etc., I have semi seriously made my mind up that THIS is the winter to get
> cracking on said TR4a 5CTC 53???, an early 65 with IRS that I have owned
> since 1984.
>
> It currently has many, um, interesting modifications, not the least of which
> is a TR250 frame I swapped in when the Swiss cheese turned to fondue on the
> proper one. Once upon a time it took a hard hit to the left rear fender
> area towit there are ripples in the rear floor below the gas tank and
> creases in the trunk floor. I have only one floorboard issue (read
> replacement) to do and sills, otherwise the car is good and straight.
>
> My questions to the purists and the pragmatists:
>
> 1. given that the car will likely never be sold, how much should I care of
> others' opinions on other than visible items?
>
> 2. Did the cars come with undercoating and if so, how thick? Said creases
> hide very well under the former coating - my life will be much easier if you
> say there should be undercoat!
>
> 3. Does anybody in concours ever look closely enough at the spare tire well
> to tell if the dents have been hammered out or bondoed over? (same issue as
> undercoat, only from the inside)
>
> 4. Considering the car will get (pick one, as yet undecided): a TR6 mule
> motor for now and then: 2" SU's, 45 DCOE's or the Jusdon supercharger on the
> 4 banger, does any of the above matter?
>
> 5. Would anybody have information on a TR4B, aka test bed for the TR250?
>
> Right now I am most interested in getting ONE of my cars back together for
> next season's fun. The GT6 needs a complete strip and respray after the
> racing accident "and is less valuable and I'm getting tired of restoring it
> (again)". The TR4a needs, well, everything. Both need gearbox work. Both
> need motor work. Both chassis are fresh (the TR250 chassis only got about
> 3000 miles on Nylon bushings before I bought the TR6). I am not
> experienced at bodywork but am fairly good at drywall and a terror with a
> spraycan!
>
> For those of you who know me, you realize by now I am reaching out for
> support in the TR4 direction. But, I also don't want to be tarred as a DCO
> at a car show (No trailer need apply to me).
>
> There. I've said it. Any personal replies? Any parts? The car will be
> Spa white w/ red int, white piping, red carpet as original.
>
> Dave T
> Confused in Winterpeg
|