How much should a car be restored-Discussion Forum-Unique Cars

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How much should a car be restored

21 May 2010 | To restore or to leave a car original? There are those that suggest old cars should be made to look and operate as new. Improvement is the key word here. The other team says a car tells its story if left alone. They love patina. Where do you sit?

Vote below and leave a comment here. Don't forget your name and we'll publish selected answers in issue #313 of Unique Cars

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COMMENTS (22)

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 month ago

I think that you can talk to the used car Palm Beach guys about this. They can probably can offer you a straight answer on the spot.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

nice

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

hi guys

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I think primarily it depends on the car; and as others have said your own preferences. However, I feel if you found an original Phase III HO, (I know highly unlikely) it would have to be restored to original due to their limited production. If you were doing like Unique Cars and restoring a Falcon 500 to GTHO specs then I think you should use modern equipment to make the car as safe as possible. With the availablity of so many after market parts now you can make a car look original but improve the safety and handling at the same time. This just makes the cars even more enjoyable to drive.
Jeff

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Surely the matter rest with the owner. Your money, your car, your choice! That the whole thing about free countries- no one tells you what to do. I like my cars hot. I like flare kits and wings and to make it the way I want to drive it. My mate keeps old things looking old. He would never consider a paint job. If it runs he drive it. Another wouldn't buy a car without the original radio. Isn't it great to be able to do what you like. The last thing we want is the National trust of cars!

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

peter
It all come down to how much money and time you have got to put into the restoration
Money governs the project, as in the cost of buying the project and if you know enough about the car and the people who can fix what you can not as in spray painting and upholstery

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I bought a Pontiac Firebird convertible in perfect body condition, I was told to buy a car with the body in good or better condition so I did, because the mechanicals can be fixed at a lower cost, and you do not know how far the rust has got into the car.
All I have done to the car is to replace all the rubber bushes in the front and rear suspension, engine and gearbox mounts, front disc pads, flexible brake hoses, top and bottom radiator hoses, the shocks all round and the head lights to conform with Australian standards.
A big factor in buying a car to restore is how bad the car is and cost of buying it (some are well over priced) and most important is the cost of restoring the car.
As project HG costs kept mounting, but you were improving the HG

Amma

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

To me it depends on the state of the vehicle. We have an obligation to preserve our vehicular history by keeping the manufacture's intention in focus. However if the improvement we are considering will keep the vehicle in the road longer, make it safer, or more enjoyable to drive then we must run the opinion gauntlet. The HT Monaro I own was bought as a wreck. I saved it from a slow, rusty, doner panel stripping demise. It has no ID plates so I feel free to modify it as I will. I love the shape and would not change that.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I am restoring a Jensen Interceptor MkII. The body needs repairing and repainting but the interior is largly complete and in good nick. I will be retaining as much as possible of the leather that came from the factory, only replacing what is absolutely necessary. Minor mods to brakes, suspension, cooling etc just to make it safe. It needs to feel and smell like the original car as much as possible. Otherwise, may as well go buy a new one.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I am in the process of restoring an old mustang, and for the most part am trying to keep the correct factory look. However due to the products available in the restoration market, it is possible to upgrade allot of the components, whilst still retaining the look. I have replaced the suspension and brakes with new heavy duty components, have inertial reel belts running through the factory mounts to give a period correct look, and even aftermarket seats dressed in period correct vinyl trim to give that "factory" appearance. Underneath the chasis has been re-inforced and the drivetrain improved.
The Car will drive, handle and stop nearly as well as any new performance car, yet still appear period correct unless under fine scrutiny. The Important part is to not ruin the car.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

What's the point in having an older car that drives like a modern car?
I drive classic cars because I like the feel of the old technology. Seems more pure to me.
Why destroy that with modern components.
My 60's cars handle modern driving conditions ok without adding modern parts.
All the best, Ross.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Hi I restore cars and believe the car should be original but I do update brakes and wheels and tyres, new seat belts and a modern entertainment system. I don't believe in modifying body work or changing instruments or seats, but to drive a '60's car on our crazy roads good brakes wheels and tyres are a nice touch. I dont believe in silly paint jobs or dumping them on their guts so to speak. Drive an old Falcon GT and tell me the brakes and steering are up to scratch these days. But add some good discs and pads modern tyres and you have not killed the original car.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Survivor cars are exactly that so they should be left alone, I concede if a part is worn out it needs to be replaced that is a fact but to remanufacture a survivor with replica decals and replica parts with replacemnt numbers is fraud. I read with disgust how the Bob Jane Camaro was rebuilt using a donor body yet they still call it the original, that is just fraud on the public. if a car is derelict restore it by all means but I believe it's survivor status out weighs a perfect resoration any day. I have more respect for a "replica or tribute" than i do for a ground up nut and bolt restoraration.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Its a fine line,

I would like to see the car overall body shape to stay original or with little modification. But if it is vital things like suspension, brakes, gearbox etc to improve/make safe then its ok, providing it doesn't destroy the original lines and character of the car, eg dropping the car or ruining the design though stupidity. as a young guy you want to make it better, but unfortunately most cars do come out worse.

charlie

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I'm up for keeping the car original looking as you can. Take the original running gear out and store it for a later time, meanwhile have some fun with a new driveline and suspension set up without butchering car. Older cars look great in stock looking form, just turn it into a sleeper like my 64 nova ss granny's car. Bog stock looking 14" rims and hubcaps, 500 HP. Even the original EH's and XR falcons used to have a fair bit of tow in them, you didnt realise until you had to stand on the brakes to pull them up, go for the original look with upgrades.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I'm in many schools of thought on the subject. While I think special cars should be left as is and only restored if required, lesser models can be up for whatever. I personally plan on building a wile Sandman panelvan when shed space permits. But in the end, it's the owner's car and in reality to hell with what I think.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

I personally feel if your going to driving an older car that was a wreck before its make over, it is definately the safe thing to make it over with new brakes and suspension etc.Kristie

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

There is nothing wrong with taking an old car and restoring it to original condition. I know this process as "Reconditioning" To use Unique Cars mag as an example. They found a wreck of a XY 500 and built that to orginal spec of an XY GTHO. Having said this, should you restore an orginal car, vital things like suspension, brakes and things of that kind, should be replaced with modern stuff to give the car better handling.
Angelo

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Got a 61 Impala 4 dr pillarless survivor in my shed, used it as a daily driver family car for a couple of years and so long as you drive them accordingly they perform quite well. In my opinion leave them as survivors or at the very least, selectively restore them.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Original in looks but with improvements to suspension, tyres, brakes and the driveline as deemed necessary to allow them to be safe in modern traffic conditions. I do not like the modern fuel-injected engine in an old car so much, I prefer simpler engines and cars with no computer chips.

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

There is nothing wrong with improving a car and returning it to somewhat of its former glory.
I like a car to look original, but in saying that there are cars out there that just want to be made over. Everyone has their own ideas, if we didn’t we would be looking at the same cars. The old girls that are still daily drivers will always have my vote and I will always dream of owning one again. Had my share of potential dream cars, but when young, you can be stupid. With the market of parts today and all the aftermarket mods, there is no reason a car cannot look original, but perform with the safety and reliability of a car purchased off any showroom floor. If we don’t embrace this there will be a day when will only be able to look not drive. Love the old Holden’s and old Fords keep‘em driving.
Fletch

Comment by Unknown

posted 1 year ago

Original

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