<VV> "trailer queens" vs. drivers

airvair at earthlink.net airvair at earthlink.net
Fri Jan 1 13:25:39 EST 2010


Then there are those who take a really nice "original" and do a pavement-up
resto on it. Sure, they have an easy time of restoring the car. But they
destroy a perfectly good original in the process. It's only original once.
And that's true, no matter how well you restore it, or how detailed you
get. I've seen guys get so anal over getting "just the right amount of
overspray" or doing " the exact, correct factory inspection marks" that
it's laughable. (Think Corvette...) No matter how well or exact you do the
work, it's STILL only original once.

And if your goal is to come home with a pot-load of trophies, what's the
purpose? For all the expense and time wasted, you could BUY your own trophy
shop, complete with inventory.

If on the other hand, your satisfaction lies in the actual restoration
itself, start with a car that really NEEDS the restoration. Document
everything, including the condition you found it in, and what you had to do
to restore it. (Kind of reminds me of a recent Hemmings Classic Car article
about somebody restoring a '70 Dodge Challenger convertable slant 6. He
basically replaced everything on the body except the bulkheads, windshield
frame and rockers. But it was an incredible body rebuild job!) Once you
restore that kind of car, THEN you REALLY have a piece of handiwork to be
proud of.

But as for me, there's nothing I like more than to see an original car,
warts, age spots, and all. And it's why I will maintain my two originals,
but seriously doubt that I will ever "restore" them. They are "perfect"
enough for me. And I drive them. (At least in the summer. They're all
snuggled away for the salt-paving season.)

-Mark

> [Original Message]
> From: Mark Durham <62vair at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: <VV> "trailer queens" vs. drivers
>
> Bill, I understand. It really comes down to what your purpose is. I plan
to
> restore my car over time. Mechanicals first. But I still plan to put up to
> about 4-6K miles a year on it having fun. It will be put away for the
winter
> and driven when the roads are dry. I also plan to restore it to original,
> accept I plan to upgrade the engine compartment to make things more
> reliable. I've alreadyreplaced the generator with a alternator, for
example.
> I will also enter the car in local shows only to show it off. EFI is on
the
> horizon but I plan to do the mod in such a way it will maintain the basic
> stock look of the engine compartment. Mark Durham
>
> On Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 9:26 AM, <wrsssatty at aol.com> wrote:
>
> > I have never understood the reverse snobbery against so-called "trailer
> > queens".  I, for one, appreciate the work, money and time that goes 
into a
> > proper restoration that respects what is stock, original and  correct. 
And
> > I
> > salute the people who, once they've accomplished such a  restoration,
> > endeavor to preserve it.  In the end, the car belongs to the  owner and
he
> > or she
> > is free to do with the car whatever he or she wishes (within  the law).
I
> > do know, however, that if your great-grandchildren ever see a  Corvair,
it
> > will most likely be today's "trailer queens" and not today's  drivers!
> >
> > ~Bill Stanley
> > 



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