The Unrestored Car Appreciation Thread

[61polara]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:32 PM, TAKerry said:

I dont think this is an argument that can be won. Even if a clearl definition was instituted, by say the AACA. To me an original unrestored car is one that is presented as it was built. A repaint would disqualify. New interior, dq. New brakes, new fuel lines, new tires, thats fine. I have great respect for cars that fit into that category, maybe one repaint over the last 80 years or so but where is the cuttoff? Is an 'original car' that was repainted in 1950 any different than an original car that was repainted in 2020? To me they are both the same. Once the factory stuff has been covered its no longer original. SO, maybe original unrestored could be further divided into what level of preservation it truly is.

At one time I would use the term 'survivor' until someone made to me a very valid point. Arent all of the cars that are on the show field whether restored to beyond or not 'survivors'? 

AACA was the leader in recognition of unrestored cars and motorcycles when in 1988 it created the Historical Preservation of Original Features (HPOF) Class for our Nationals.  A dedicated team is at each of the AACA Nationals to evaluate the cars in the HPOF Class and award a HPOF award or higher level HPOF Original award.  Deductions are not taken for maintenance items as long as correct factory parts or reproductions are used.  New upholstery and paint are deductions, taken by the number of seats or panels repainted.  Age is considered in the scoring with newer cars permitted fewer deductions than older cars.  In the past five years, 1149 HPOF awards have been awarded to HPOF cars at our AACA Nationals.  In addition, each year a motorcycle and two cars (pre 1930 and 1930 and newer) are awarded National Awards at our Annual Convention.  The judging forms are available by downloading the Judges Guidelines from the AACA Home page.

 

Dave Bowman

AACA National HPOF Chairman

[edinmass]

If you think there is a lot of fiction being written in auction catalogs, you haven’t seen anything until you get to the preservation class. 
 

 

[alsancle]

One of the things I appreciate about my Stearns is that all the little details are still there.   It still has its original exhaust system and muffler.

 

Here is a pair of Oaks sidemount locks.  The original one if off my Stearns.  The reproduction is of a million dollar V16 Cadillac.  Spot the differences?

[John_Mereness]

On 2/9/2023 at 8:25 AM, alsancle said:

The Startix was also used on the 810/812 Cord and the 851/852 Auburn.  An unnecessary accessory but my experience with them has been good.

The problem with a Startix is that people are not use to driving with them - seemed when we first started going to ACD Festival that someone would always go home with their front bumper in the backseat - they would pull up too close to someone and then stall it to have it try to restart and be too flustered to react properly = bang.  I cannot recall what I was doing when I sent the 35 Auburn Sedan into the back of the garage - turned out fine, but there is still a dent in the drywall.   On my cars the restart function is disabled, though the Startix still remain as they serve as a starter solenoid.   The most problematic applications seem to be Cord and next Auburn (matched to a couple Packards) as the units hang on the engine blocks and a lot of heat for the technology of the unit build. 

[Jim Skelly]

Metallic paints were in use in the early 1930s and possibly earlier.  Refer to the fish oil paint discussion from a while back.  Graham used it but the finish didn't hold up very well.  By the way, I really like your Packard.

[edinmass]

Here is BIG news……I plan on attending.

 

https://www.goodingco.com/auction/estate-of-mark-smith-auction

[auburnseeker]

Hey Ed, pick up the 32 Chrysler Roadster for me,  while you are there.  

[STEVE POLLARD]

I posted my '69 Impala at the start of this thread, but I do have a '86 Monte Carlo SS. For some reason, I never really thought of it as being old, but it's 37 years old now ! Maybe it's because I'm growing old with it ? I was 21 years old when I purchase it from the local Chevrolet Dealership in August of 1986. I saved up $10,000 and my Father co-sign on the $5000 loan... This car is all original paint ( I think GM had issues with their paint during the eighties, my brother had a '88 GMC Jimmy and the Indigo Blue paint flaked off ) I just only replaced the original Good Year GT tires last year, but the wipers and washer fluid is still original... battery / belts were replaced. Oh, the headliner started to sag ( very common issue ) last year, so I replaced that as well. This old Chevy has become a family member, I could never get rid of it now, plus my daughter wants it !  I hope to bring it to Hershey this year,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

[avgwarhawk]

4 hours ago, STEVE POLLARD said:

I posted my '69 Impala at the start of this thread, but I do have a '86 Monte Carlo SS. For some reason, I never really thought of it as being old, but it's 37 years old now ! Maybe it's because I'm growing old with it ? I was 21 years old when I purchase it from the local Chevrolet Dealership in August of 1986. I saved up $10,000 and my Father co-sign on the $5000 loan... This car is all original paint ( I think GM had issues with their paint during the eighties, my brother had a '88 GMC Jimmy and the Indigo Blue paint flaked off ) I just only replaced the original Good Year GT tires last year, but the wipers and washer fluid is still original... battery / belts were replaced. Oh, the headliner started to sag ( very common issue ) last year, so I replaced that as well. This old Chevy has become a family member, I could never get rid of it now, plus my daughter wants it !  I hope to bring it to Hershey this year,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the cooler cars of the 80s.  I had an 88 LS. First new car purchase at age 21 as well.    I couldn't find a SS on the dealers lots. I did want the SS.  However, the LS did come with the 302 4 barrel.  Yours looks great. And yes, the cars of our youth are now OLD!  

[STEVE POLLARD]

3 hours ago, avgwarhawk said:

One of the cooler cars of the 80s.  I had an 88 LS. First new car purchase at age 21 as well.    I couldn't find a SS on the dealers lots. I did want the SS.  However, the LS did come with the 302 4 barrel.  Yours looks great. And yes, the cars of our youth are now OLD!  

Thanks Chris..... This was the last one on the dealership's lot... someone else had a deposit on it, told the salesman if anything should happen, please contact me..... sure enough, the deal fell through and they contacted me, went back that day and purchased it !

 

Steve

 

 

[avgwarhawk]

2 minutes ago, STEVE POLLARD said:

Thanks Chris..... This was the last one on the dealership's lot... someone else had a deposit on it, told the salesman if anything should happen, please contact me..... sure enough, the deal fell through and they contacted me, went back that day and purchased it !

 

Steve

 

 

Enjoy it!

[George K]

On 1/29/2023 at 1:25 PM, alsancle said:

Wandering a bit off topic. Here is my unrestored Sleeve valve engine demonstrator.

 

 

Here’s a 1911 review of Knight sleeve valve engines.

[brasscarguy]

On 1/27/2023 at 3:24 PM, alsancle said:

 

Here is my unrestored race boat from the 1930s.  Let it go to a better home a few years ago.  Spent 15  years trying to identify the builder.

Looks like a smaller version of a Ventnor I had in the 70's. Mine was dated as a 1941.

 

brasscarguy

[Angelfish]

This is what I'm working on.  1982 380SL.  As previously mentioned, I don't really think of it as old.  Original paint, top, wheels and interior.   114,000 miles, soon to be a lot more with any luck. 

 

 

[ironandsteele]

Here is my submission: 1939 Ford Standard Woodie. Never restored, only maintained. 

It is also for sale.

 

Edited May 21 by ironandsteele (see edit history)