It is still a right here in America to have an opinion. It is also an old saying that " opinions are like noses, everyone has one."
As far as removing the " patina" of a low mileage survivor car, opinions definitely run strong! Just where does one draw the line?
If, for example, my survivor car has a leak from the timing cover front oil seal that leaves a puddle of oil on the garage floor as well as contributing to the " patina" of the oil covered pan, trans and floorboards, do I repair it? After all, that leak helped to create the oil " patina" that covers the underside of my car. Also, if that seal should be replaced, should I clean off the dirt and oil covered components and preserve any bare metal that will soon rust OR leave those components dirt and oil caked and then re-establish a matching dirt/ oil " patina" on any and all securing screws or bolts?
Here is another question: my car has a quarter size rust hole at the bottom of the passenger fender, obviously from the drain hole that had become plugged over the last 40 years. So, my 14,000 mile survivor car has an ongoing deteriorating condition that will continue to get worse as time goes by. Should I have it repaired to preserve the original date coded fender that Pontiac installed in 73 or just let it rust away for the sake of the " patina'?
Steve's car has a remarkable history and it is apparent that he is preserving the originality of his car.
Oh, that's right; it IS his car after all!
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