What's the Best Restoration Ever?

The best resto ever is buying a number plate that measures 8 inches across and is nothing more than 12 ounces of number plate and making a car out of it. Then you take it to Cavalame-O so some pretentious twots can jerk themselves silly over stupid **** like provenance...say that whilst eating caviar. Oh, such a nice original car! LOL.

 

Taking a 40 year old car that has been sitting in a factory Museum for 40 years and making her road worthy requires a bit more than giving it a wash. Rust never sleeps, rubber sublimes, fluids coagulate...

 

Interesting thread. Since some Ferraris have obtained the status of "art objects", owners feel the need to make it as perfect as humanly possible. What we get are jewels that really don't reflect a car's history, only the restorer's skill. Compare the collecting of 18th century American furniture, where the original finish is the most desireable and messing with that will cut the value of the piece by 75%, whereas the most desireable Ferraris are value enhanced by making them more than they were when leaving the factory. Very few are still around who actually know what a particular car looked like when leaving the factory.

 

But they are so much better when they are moving art aren't they? I would drive the car and enjoy it all the way.

Best restoration? I'm no expert but I know the McQueen Lusso was beautiful.

Then there is Sheehan speaking of the half life of a restoration.

Again. I would drive it. If it is on "over restored" example, so be it. Then I would lament the first rock chip. Then take it out for a spin again.

 

Yes I saw that too.... I'm dying to see what it is, It's like waiting for the next shoe to drop..... I just gotta believe that it will be cool.....

Wating patiently.....

 

If a one of one, would probably dust it off and drive it to have an understanding of what it's like. Driven, parked, dented, repaired, restored, unrestored - no matter - as it'll always be THE _____ . If a one of #?, might preserve it as the time capsule it is - as a point of reference of that model going forward, as it'll always be the benchmark example of A ______ - and maybe score another example of same to peel around in.

 

Interesting thoughts.

 

Sadly, it appears as if the highest level concours, such as Pebble and Cavallino, have become more about the owners and who they hire to restore their cars than the cars themselves. Please don't misunderstand. The cars on the lawn at both places are stunningly beautiful and clearly represent the best in restoration work, as defined by their judging criteria.

However, who gets on the lawn and, more importantly, who doesn't has become very political. I'm not just talking about Ferraris here. I have been privy to private conservations regarding other cars as to who (and why) gets an invite in the first place and then gets invited back. The result has been an ever rising bar of over restoration and little petty details that mean absolutely nothing when it comes to the beauty of a particular car.

I'll just put it this way. For a small group of folks in the restoration business, having a client get on the lawn and then having them win means a lot of dough. The question, thus, becomes does "Best in Class" or "Best in Show" mean that you have the best car or that you hired the best person to restore your car?

These are just my thoughts from the peanut gallery. I'm not a player in this game and never will be. It just seems to be a shame that the focus has shifted from the cars.

Your thoughts?

Dale

 

Over-restoration is true to an extent that the original cars have become like a canvas that the restorers get to do a real life Pshop on. It is like the photo of a beautiful woman that gets cleaned up with digital (or manual) airbrushing. the skill of the airbrush artist may make the most 'perfect' picture, but then you are not really looking at a picture of a woman, but an artist's idealization of one. I enjoy looking at the artistic versions, but for my own use, a real one is the way to go.

BT

 

Time, Time, Time Oh what's become of me?

Dale

I've had three cars at Pebble, two won ribbons, (The Third was Display Only) and both of the judged cars were done by us and our friends (J446 by Brian Josephs very respected) not BIG name restorers.

I've found the Judges/Selection Committee at Pebble to be both friendly and knowledgeable. I think the New Preservation Class and the Lamborghini classes in 08 are an example of that.

Best
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Could there be more to the above !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Sean

 

Hmm... Judging from your pictures (sic), I'll take the original rather than the attempted restored version!

Dale

 

Actually, I wasn't referring to your cars, but about another situation.

However, since you mention it.

The comparison between your P 3/4 that was in the pits in Laguna and a different P4 that was on the lawn at Pebble (I ain't gonna say the owner's name, but I'm sure that most of you here know who he is.) really illustrates my point. Again, don't misunderstand, the P4 was a thing of beauty; but; perhaps too beautiful. Most of you here have forgotten more about these cars than I will ever know. But, somehow, I just can't imagine a race car looking that good back in the day.

Your car, in the pits of Laguna, however, looked like it was ready to take on those damned Fords.

Dale

 

"Father time" and (in the words of Jim Varney) "Mean ol mister gravity" are kinder to some than others... That goes for cars as well as women.....

 

Jim and I think everybody else, you have missunderstood me, and yes ofcourse a car that has been sitting requires mucho work.

My point is that pulling a car out of a swamp and completely remaking 80% of the body that has rusted away, and completely making the trim, fittings, etc. is a heck of a lot harder and takes skills (like you bodywork team). That impresses me.

Many Australian and New Zealand restorations are like this, and it is a labour of love and madness that can take over 10 years of somebodies life in their little shed.

Compare that to many restorations where all that has had to happen is the body repainted, well heck I know which impresses me more.

And yes ofcourse if you can find a perfect 40 year old car, you are lucky ... but it is still easier than having to remake most of the car .

And enjoy driving her
Pete

 

All True.

Best

 

I think there is a degree of subjective relativity to the question that creates and interesting, if inconclusive, debate here.

The best to whom?

To all of us as a body of enthusiasts?

To me as an owner?

To the unknown future custodians of a family of cars?

The first car I restored was a really ratty 1959 Porsche 356A coupe that had belonged to my best friend's father. I did it all myself (except the paint- no booth. But everything else.) It wouldn't have made it into the parking lot at your local meet from a quality perspective, but it ran like a scalded cat, it was MY "best restoration ever" simply because of the connection I had with the car after what we went through together. And I still look back at the day I sold it and wondered what the hell I was thinking.

Pebble Beach, or Amelia or whatever, yes, the are objects that were once cars, that have become a canvas for a certain kind of perfection- I'm not sure I'd call it "restoration" in many cases. (but even that is a generalization, as certain persons here have proven that labor of love and a respect for the patina of history can be acclaimed in that forum as well)

I'm still pondering. It's an interesting question.

 

Jim,

Spill the beans and the spare the hypothetical with that specific car youre talking about. Youve mentioned the 40-year old car in 3seperate posts so inquiring minds are wanting to know...unless you wish me to share on your behalf.

Joe
www.joesackey.com

 

Soon. Just waiting to confirm her coming out schedule. There's also some interesting history we discovered while cleaning her up and have that under discussion with those that may know.

Best

 

Maybe we should create a pool and have an "educated guess" contest. I have a pretty good idea and am probably willing to even put money on it...

But I for sure don't want to spoil Jim's surprise....

He has put enough out there to let you figure it out for sure, so if you haven't figured it out yet, you aren't trying hard enough......

 

Lotus has a Europa with like 5 miles on it at the factory. I dare not hope!

Ken