Value v.s. modification

[6219_Rules]

OK, I asked this more specifically in the Cadillac-LaSalle forum, but I thought I would add it here. What impact does a modification make to the value of a Classic?

Case in point, my '47 was restored inside using a more durable (and comfortable) cotton/poly blend in a dove grey rather than the blue/grey originally used. I did this because I wanted the durability and the comfort. I had intended to use this car as a driver and touring car.

Do such modifications disqualify it as a Classic? Also the restorer painted the wood trim rather than use Dynoc ( I know where to get it but it would cost the same as the whole restoration project to date!). The car looks great. Comments?

[Guest Chuck Conrad]

The kind of thing you did to your car does not disqualify you from participation in CCCA activities. If you choose to have the car judged at a Grand Classic, you should be prepared for the judges to count off for the things you did under the ?Authenticity? categories.

Truth be known, the judges may or may not catch the changes. It depends on how subtle the modifications are.

To provide for cars like yours, we have a ?Touring Class.? This is primarily intended for cars that are ?drivers.? The maximum you are allowed to score in this class is 93 points. The down side is, if the car is nice enough, you run the risk of scoring too high and being disqualified. (Actually, in these days of political correctness, we now call that ?overqualified.?)

I?ve had this happen to me. My 1936 Bentley is the poster child for the touring class. A solid 80-85 point car if there ever was one. At a recent GC, it scored 94 points. What?s worse was the judges were all my friends. Do you think they were sending me some kind of message?

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[6219_Rules]

Hmmm that is possible. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Most of my friends like the '47 but it never places. Poor paint (applied by the previous owner and the wrong shade...I priced paint. OMG. ), old chrome with problems, but other than that it is nice. Wish I could say it was all original, at least then it would have an excuse. Truth to tell, I simply ran out of funds after the wiring harnesses.

Still it is a marvelous car and a whole lot of fun so I guess I cannot complain there. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest J446]

IMHO anything that adds to your enjoyment adds value. I put seatbelts in my Duesenberg as I drive it regularly. I put cooling fans in my MK-IV as I drive that as well. When I take it to Pebble this year the judges may deduct a few points. That these fans will enable me to drive in the 50 mile Pebble tour is what matters to me.

[Guest Chuck Conrad]

It?s very important to remember that this is a hobby, and it is supposed to be fun. If what you do to your car increases your ?fun quotient? then that?s fine, just so long as you are aware of what you are doing. If your changes add value to you, then so be it. Just remember, everything has a price.

Since one of the stated goals of CCCA is to preserve history, you can understand why authenticity is important to the Club. It should be. We judge cars using he standard of ?when new, as delivered to the original owner.? But, the car-collecting hobby is not just about judging cars. It?s much broader than that. Most of us do this because we enjoy the friends we make and the activities we do. That?s the really important part of the hobby. Having fun.

I have done all kinds of non-standard things to my cars that are obviously not authentic, but the truth be known, I just like them that way. Even so, I?ve tried to do things that can be easily reversed by the next owner who may not share my enthusiasm for some of my ?improvements.?

Do as you wish. It's your car, but remember to have fun.