Conservation vs. Restoration

[gromit]

I've just been reading an interesting article in 'The Automobile' magazine regarding the originality of motor cars and their conservation rather than restoration.

The article involved a 1933 Aston Martin Le Mans where new parts fitted to the motor were aged or distressed to not stand out.
Paint was removed from parts of the car not seen and formed back into a liquid used to repaint other areas.
The timber body frame was replaced because it was rotten but the old, cracked, aluminium panels re-used. This caused extra work because usually the panels are made to fit the frame not the other way round.

The issue was also raised of barn find cars fetching far more at auction than expected, especially when you consider how much a restoration would cost.

The Aston would be worth considerably more that a Land Rover but it raises the issue of 'why restore'. Is the vehicle more valuable, more honest if left untouched.
Patina takes time to develop so why destroy it by re-painting etc.


I have a Series I which has been left pretty much as found, I did start to paint parts of the chassis but then thought that as it's garaged and only lightly used, why do I need to repaint the chassis. The bulkhead is covered in surface rust but it shouldn't get any worse. Things are fixed when they break not to improve the looks.

My Series II LWB needs bulkhead repairs so I may repaint the bulkhead but I'm tempted to leave the doors, wings, tub etc. in the orignal (faded) paint.

I have 2 ex-military Land Rovers which I may re-paint. But that's because in service they may have been repainted several times.


I know it's each to their own but personally I'm happier leaving the factory finish where possible and not restoring.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/preservation-v-restoration-20140812-101ya6.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/automobiles/collectibles/preserving-classics-wrinkles-and-all.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0


Colin

[Seriestwo]

I completely understand where you are coming from. I have a 1958 series 2 that is original. So when it comes time to "restore" him I will only be repairing the mechanicals and electrics with period correct items, leaving all the body the way it is with all dints and faded paint. It makes no sense to me spending a fortune on a concur restoration, then I would be too scared to actually use it for what its made for, due to the cost of the restoration.

Chris

[gromit]

Chris,
I think is was in the article in The Automobile where they made the comment 'it's only original once'. If someone starts to modify, 'improve' or restore it then it's no longer original (wear items excepted).
The worry is that someone finds an all original vehicle and then pulls it apart to 'restore' it when it might have been put back on the road with minimal work.

As I mentioned before, each to their own but it's interesting that apparently Pebble Beach has a category for original cars and that there is a move towards original cars often being worth as much if not more than restored cars.

I've seen a couple of Land Rovers that had a full rolling chassis restoration and then the old panels put back on. I guess this is halfway between conservation & restoration.


Colin

[jerryd]

I think this is a great car and I'd love it parked in my shed :) Me and my youngest lad keep pondering about it. He reckons it would be a cool learners car :)


1927 Morris Cowley Flatnose Tourer '' OL Bessie '' in Kurmond, NSW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1927-Morris-Cowley-Flatnose-Tourer-Ol-Bessie-/131277780990?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1e90c3f7fe)

[JDNSW]

I think this is a great car and I'd love it parked in my shed :) Me and my youngest lad keep pondering about it. He reckons it would be a cool learners car :)


1927 Morris Cowley Flatnose Tourer '' OL Bessie '' in Kurmond, NSW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1927-Morris-Cowley-Flatnose-Tourer-Ol-Bessie-/131277780990?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1e90c3f7fe)

One of my uncles had one of these - same colour, too! They are reliable, durable and easy to drive. Some fascinating features, such as the engine has metric threads - but the bolt heads and nuts are BSW spanner sizes.

John

[gromit]

I think this is a great car and I'd love it parked in my shed :) Me and my youngest lad keep pondering about it. He reckons it would be a cool learners car :)


1927 Morris Cowley Flatnose Tourer '' OL Bessie '' in Kurmond, NSW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1927-Morris-Cowley-Flatnose-Tourer-Ol-Bessie-/131277780990?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1e90c3f7fe)

Jerryd,

With a car like that you would just repair it and run it.
I'd be tempted to get the original engine repaired and put it back in.

The Automobile magazine has an 'Oily Rag' category where they have a run with cars that have been put back onto the road unrestored.
It does of course depend on finding a vehicle in original, but not too far gone, condition. They also have a couple of 'oily rag' cars on their fleet.
The Automobile Magazine - Oily Rag Collection (http://www.theautomobile.co.uk/pages/oily-rag-collection.php)


Colin

[isuzurover]

I was very disappointed when watching the love of cars program. The s1 they bought just needed a clean and a service.

[isuzutoo-eh]

All depends on if you are trying to pause history or still writing it.

Not to mention where you stand when reading said history-are you trying to learn about the earliest days or the latter days? Preserving/conserving the original fabric of an item is harder than replacing/restoring in some ways, but should be considered paramount to those trying to pause history. For example, a water pump may be a water pump to most of us but if it isn't made from original materials with original techniques etc then it is a progression in the vehicle's history.

[Sitec]

It depends on what you plan to do with you're vehicle. If you want to keep it as a barn find and use it little, then great, dont touch it... but if you want to actually want to use it and do decent distances, then subtle upgrades and a sympathetic restoration is probably fine. :)

[gromit]

It depends on what you plan to do with you're vehicle. If you want to keep it as a barn find and use it little, then great, dont touch it... but if you want to actually want to use it and do decent distances, then subtle upgrades and a sympathetic restoration is probably fine. :)

I think you can keep a barn find and do decent distances.
Yes, you're going to overhaul brakes, engine, replace tyres etc.

I don't get time to use my Series I that often but I don't intend to replace things unless they fail.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1061.jpg (http://s1245.photobucket.com/user/cradley/media/Series%201%20with%20Welder/DSCN2361_zps135eee89.jpg.html)

It made it to Cooma & back a few years ago, it's had a lot of period modifications which have all been left in place.


Colin

[isuzurover]

It made it to Cooma & back a few years ago, it's had a lot of period modifications which have all been left in place.


Colin

So does it have an air locker?

[Dinty]

I remember seeing your Series 1 parked up over on the airfield, and thought to self 'that's an unusual one, must have a look at it later, sadly later never came I got too side tracked looking at all the other eye candy that was on offer, cheers Dennis

[gromit]

So does it have an air locker?

No, but because at the time I was a supplier to ARB I managed to score a set of stickers.
Funny story:
Me to diff designer "do ARB make a locker for my Series I".
Diff designer " I'll look it up......yes we do, seems to fit 1948 through to mid 1980's" pause "I think I want a job at Land Rover as a designer because they obviously don't do much......"
I pointed out that if you get it right there is no need to change it and there wasn't a need to upgrade everyhing when a new model came out back then.


Colin

[JDNSW]

I remember seeing your Series 1 parked up over on the airfield, and thought to self 'that's an unusual one, must have a look at it later, sadly later never came I got too side tracked looking at all the other eye candy that was on offer, cheers Dennis

I had a really good look at it, and I think it was just about the most interesting one there!

john

[isuzurover]

...
Funny story:
...
I pointed out that if you get it right there is no need to change it ...


Colin

lol.
They are still using the same diff now in 90s an 110/130 fronts. Only problem is they should have changed it to a hypoid design many years ago.