[Zmagnette] preservation

Tue Jan 28 19:36:27 MST 2014

I think Sea Foam Green is a bit darker than the lighter Island Green. I've
seen some MGA's occasionally that are labeled something different but it is
kind of like light green. Dave Wittmer's last Magnette, now Ed Polunus's
should be close to being Island Green. I pondered doing a light green/dark
green when redoing mine but the blue and silver grey won out and I'm happy
with it.

From: zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Allen Bachelder
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:22 PM
To: List for the Z Magnette Group - North America
Subject: Re: [Zmagnette] preservation

Well, I figured if I got it wrong, somebody would correct me.  In that sense
I was right. ;-) ie. I was wrong and somebody corrected me. But that "sea
foam" bounced around the list for quite awhile and nobody else caught it.
You won the prize - now I just have to figure out what the prize is...
Problem is, when I see"Island green" in my mind, I see "Sea foam green" and
I can't tell the difference! Anybody have any paint chips with the two
colors side-by-side? I need to re-educate my brain as to the difference.

Thanks John,

Allen

****************************************************************

Allen & Florrie Bachelder       =iii=<
Spring Creek Home for Wayward MGs

'57 ZB, '65 B, '69 C/GT, '73 B/GT

North Street, MI 48049, USA

http://www.mgexperience.net/member/bachldrs

****************************************************************

On Jan 28, 2014, at 3:32 PM, John Park wrote:

98hp! Wow! That's about 40% more than mine. I'm jealous Allen. The other
questions for you is: Isn't TT Island Green?

From: zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net
<mailto:zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net>
[mailto:zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Allen Bachelder
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 2:07 PM
To: List for the Z Magnette Group - North America
Subject: Re: [Zmagnette] preservation

I'm always amazed that while refinishing destroys the value of a piece of
antique furniture, "repairs" to an antique Oriental rug, quilt, historic
document or picture often enhance its value.  I sort-of understand but it's
a little confusing. And antique clocks and radios are worth very little
unless they work.  So you have an antique radio, but two condensers and four
tubes have been replaced to make it work. Does that diminish or enhance it's
value?  Old speakers, household or automotive, can be re-coned or replaced.
In a car, I can't imagine this would make much difference, value wise.  

But say you're buying an antique car that you want it as original as
possible. If the engine had been freshly rebuilt to absolutely original
specs by a highly-respected shop, would that diminish or enhance the value?
I would think it would be an enhancement. If the car was going in a museum,
who cares? And if it gets driven, even just occasionally, it would be a huge
asset. The engine can look the same either way, and the numbers still match.

As for my preferences, it depends  on the car.  If the car is incredibly
original when I buy it, I would keep it that way.  If the car has been
repainted the wrong color, it's a toss-up but the car will not do well in a
preservation class if the owner is honest.  My first Magnette had been a
Manumatic but the Manumatic had been replaced - along with the original
engine - years before I bought it.  I even called the previous owner to try
to recover the stuff. The seized original engine was in his shop, but the
Manumatic had long previously gone to scrap. Originality was not possible.
Therefore I had no qualms about my 1800-5-speed conversion.  Same thing with
"Geraldine".  The original drivetrain was long-gone. The car was repainted
the wrong colors, and upholstered in the wrong materials. Originality,
again, was impossible.  

And, to address Rodger's point:  sometimes it is only keen observation of
The Navigator's wishes that will unlock the key to the checkbook.  I wanted
to take Geraldine back to her original monotone varitone sea foam green
(after all, monotone varitones are very rare - and worth having)  but The
Navigator loved her ivory/damask-red livery and wouldn't hear of sea foam
green.  So, what do you do?  Of course, we all know...  Same thing: A/C...

Ed, I can see your point about wanting a fast car, therefore buy a Vette.
But isn't there just a bit of fun in blowing the doors off a vette with a
car that's only supposed to have 68 hp?  Granted, my 98 hp Magnette is not
going to do that, but my cruising habits have raised some eyebrows among
fellow motorists. Guys at the rest areas coming up and saying "hey, that
thing really moves out" etc:  always fun...  I've been a passenger in MGB
V8s, where we've gotten some incredible glances from 300Z owners, etc, as be
blew by them.  When I was a kid, I dreamed of building resto-rods long
before the concept evolved.  Geraldine is no resto rod, but one of my
principles was to build a Magnette that performs as well as its interior
elegance promises.

FWIW,

Allen

****************************************************************

Allen & Florrie Bachelder       =iii=<
Spring Creek Home for Wayward MGs

'57 ZB, '65 B, '69 C/GT, '73 B/GT

North Street, MI 48049, USA

http://www.mgexperience.net/member/bachldrs

****************************************************************

On Jan 27, 2014, at 2:19 PM, Steven Trovato wrote:

Everyone says they don't care what people think, but I think they do, at
least a bit.  That's the only reason there is judging at car shows.  As for
this group, I think for the most part we do accept the "do what ever pleases
you" philosophy.  But it still pleases us to have other people appreciate
what we have.

I do think we need to clarify some definitions.  Preservation means keeping
what is original.  Restoration can be done with an emphasis on originality,
or it can be done while making substantial modifications to suit your
preferences.  I would argue that one can fix some paint chips and still call
it preservation.  But if you paint it the original color, that's not
preservation.  It's restoration to original.  If you paint it bright blue or
add an automatic transmission and air conditioning, that's restoration to
suit your taste.  There's the concept of a "restomod" where they may take an
American 1950's sedan and change the whole drivetrain to late model
Corvette, add air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, etc.
It looks like the 50's but drives like a modern car.

As for preservation, it has been noted that with things like fine art and
antiques, it is originality that is valued over all else.  Refinishing a
fine antique will destroy its value.  A skilled craftsman might make fine
repairs but  change as little as possible.  Sometimes, even cleaning is a
big mistake.

-Steve T.

At 01:35 PM 1/27/2014, webuck1 at cox.net <mailto:webuck1 at cox.net>  wrote:

Hi all,

My Magnette isn't even a chick magnet but, it drives, stops and turns some
heads. When I attend the frequent free car shows most of the people look at
my car and keep on going. Only the curious stop to look and chat. Doesn't
matter to me. All I am trying to do is let the people see that 4 door MG's
were produced.

As for preservation, I will go back to original color (what ever that will
turn out to be) new carpet, new headliner and two rebuilt front seats and an
engine rebuild. I drive my car all the time, everywhere, well almost
everywhere. Steve, Do what you like with Millicent Rose. She is a beautiful
car with some touch up to several items. Please the wife, please yourself.
Does it matter what everyone else thinks? If it were a 100 point car I would
never drive it. My thinking is cars were designed to drive and not sit in a
barn for long periods of time. Drive it the way YOU like it.

Enjoy the Magnette(s) in your case. My MGB on the other hand will be
mechanically almost original. The paint with it's two sunburns is not
original at all. I love the color. It will sport a removable hard top too.

Buckey

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