Myles
Yes I saw the display on saturday at Monterey and it is interesting as
One of my friends who raced to only Lagonda there told me That there are
more of some cars now then were ever built in the old days and like
others have told me that are in the business that like the cobra coupes
there are now 8 of the original 6 ever built and many of the custom
coach builders are making replicas that many feel dilute the originals
more. I know that a lot of the famous Lotus car that were at the races
had significant history and you could barely tell they weren't new cars.
A lot of street based cars that became race cars certainly went through
what you described as that ongoing metamorphasis from one style or group
to the next but those aren't so hard to figure out as you say they may
not have great provenence.I am sure most older race cars have had fairly
rough lifes but boy did people really beat the crap out of the cheap
Japanese cars. When I restore street Car for my customers we do make
them better than they ever were new but we do so because they cost alot
to do and the customer usually makes the decision on how far to go but
we build drivers and not trailer Queens which I find nothing wrong with
that either with the values of some of the cars out there. It was
interesting to find out that another friend told me that most Shelby
Mustangs racing now are replicas as the originals are too valuable to be
raced but I sure that some of the ones I see are still the real thing
but it do make you wonder. As for the racing versus the show thing I
happen to race with a group that really races and we have had some
incidents to prove it I so far prefer the real racing aspects and that
creates the show so it seems as we have been invited to many events but
it is also only rather recently that most of the Japanese cars have been
allowed to start running out west at least the competitive years 68-72
and Now that I am involved with racing I do understand the premise that
the guy with the Half million dollar cobra doesn't want to get wiped out
by the clapped out 3000$ Datsun or other marque. So I will listen
intently to what other have to say but all these cars really should be
on the track again maybe a little under restored.
Les
MHKitchen@aol.com wrote:
> Les:
>
> GREAT QUESTION. You know, I believe that 99.9% of us are guilty of
> over-restoration, particularly when we we're working on a replica or
> street-car conversion, or have a real race car with a less than stellar
> history, one that's been passed from hand to hand with whatever
> modifications were allowed from one year to the next. Cars running
> through the late 60's and into the 70s often underwent dramatic
> transitions in bodywork, engines, and suspensions.
>
> One of the more interesting displays at Monterey this year were the
> Bugatti's. It was most pleasing to see so many seemingly "unrestored"
> cars, which made the concours restoration ones look seriously out of
> place in time. What was particularly unappealing was the modern sponsor
> decals that many of the Bugattis wore which looked COMPLETELY OUT OF
> PLACE, but was worn because the air freight sponsor helped get the cars
> to the track. Perhaps they could have found a more appropriate way to
> get some recognition??
>
> On the other hand, a rusty, clapped out Datsun 510 may have tremendous
> history, but looks like what it is...as truly used up car.
>
> Even many old NASCAR cars are showing up again, looking much better now
> than they ever did in their day. But, racing is about the show, and
> TODAY's vintage racing show is more about the cars than anything. And,
> in order for them to be driven competitively TODAY to put on that show,
> they need some modern updating...certainly in the engine, and tires
> department. Otherwise, they'll be intersting museum pieces circling the
> track at the back of the pack, which may or may not enhance their role
> in the SHOW.
>
> So, my advice would be to do a faithful period cosmetic restoration on
> those cars that don't present themselves well in their "patina", and
> update them mechancially to make them safe and vintage competitive in
> today's world. For those that are still quite interesting in their
> weathered livery, put them in museums, or bring them out for the
> unrestored class in the concours, but don't put them on the track where
> they risk gaining additional "patina" and incurring embarassment at
> their poor competitive performance today vs. perhaps yesterday.
>
> I can hear the purists groaning already...but hey, this is just one
> man's view.
>
> Regards,
> Myles H. Kitchen
> 1965 Lotus (restored, and now tired again, undergoing "freshening")
> Cortina Mk1 #128
--
Les Cannaday
Classic Datsun Motorsports
345 Olive Ave
Vista, CA 92083
(760) 940-6365
(208) 988-5507(fax)
http://www.classicdatsun.com
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