[bird72]

Originally Posted by Stuart

If you think about it, the old car hobby has to be one of the few where people worry about trying to get their money back...other people golf, or go skiing, or travel or whatever, and there's no way to make a profit on those activities.

Nail on head, exactly. I know avid hunters, fishermen, snowmobilers and such. Outdoorsman stuff. They never talk about what they spend, but love what they do. It dawned on me they spend a lot. Like car stuff, none of that stuff is cheap. Gear costs. Outings cost. Old cars should be looked at as use of disposable income. Even if resto cars turn a profit, it is peanuts per hours spent.

Regarding OP topic, I think it is great nut and bolt restos get done. Examples of history. My only gripe on "Over The Top" is incorrect by way of Too Nice. Over crayoned. Over shiny underside. Over perfection. I remember them new and they were nice underside and hood, but not dazzling and radiant looking. And since they didn't have clear coat magic, they had surface corrosion on non painted underside parts already. Has a resto ever been done with correct corrosion from the air? What is bad is concours judging is actually judging a New Reality. Old one is gone. Awards seem to be for super done perfection. Even survivor judging is getting weird. How do 40K survivor cars have extreme perfect engine paint? Rant over.

[Slider]

Originally Posted by bird72

How do 40K survivor cars have extreme perfect engine paint? Rant over.

I think the same thing. This is what the engine looks like for a 53 year old survivor car with 36K miles on it that spent its whole life in a heated garage. Yup.....my dad changed the battery, hoses and belts on it as some point. Why?? Because it was a daily and then weekend driver to him in the 70's. Yup the engine has some rust on it. Yup it has the typical corrosion by the front timing cover.

So when it goes back on the road hopefully soon its getting new Gates belts, new heater hoses and fresh plugs and wires. I could give a crap less that it has the correct date coded wires, hoses and belts. I want the damn thing driveable and enjoyable. If I die in 10 years I hope my kid has the passion or sentimental value to keep his dad's (and originally his grandfather's) car and enjoy it. If they want to sell it the next guy can restore to 100% original. The 55 year old parts will be in the attic if someone wants them that bad.

[FULZGOLD]

Originally Posted by Slider

I think the same thing. This is what the engine looks like for a 53 year old survivor car with 36K miles on it that spent its whole life in a heated garage. Yup.....my dad changed the battery, hoses and belts on it as some point. Why?? Because it was a daily and then weekend driver to him in the 70's. Yup the engine has some rust on it. Yup it has the typical corrosion by the front timing cover.

So when it goes back on the road hopefully soon its getting new Gates belts, new heater hoses and fresh plugs and wires. I could give a crap less that it has the correct date coded wires, hoses and belts. I want the damn thing driveable and enjoyable. If I die in 10 years I hope my kid has the passion or sentimental value to keep his dad's (and originally his grandfather's) car and enjoy it. If they want to sell it the next guy can restore to 100% original. The 55 year old parts will be in the attic if someone wants them that bad.

Exactly.
Here is my 78 which has never had the engine out. just a couple replacement parts here and there.