Re: Identification Dilemma

Rex Funk (rexfunk(at)magick.net)
Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:54:49 -0700


The problem with a permanent plate listing modifications is that these cars tend to be projects in progress. At any given time I may be running the correct 1600 cc engine, a 1725, or even a high output 4 cyl. of some kind. I've made a promise to myself to use restraint, and make sure all the mods are reversible. I have no objections to the world knowing what the current state of modification of my car is, but I see little value in casting it in concrete with a permanent plate when it can change from week to week. If I ever sell a car, I usually document or inform the buyer about the mods (unless it is clearly intended as a parts car). I agree that anyone who wants a correct restoration needs to know what original is.

Another issue is the high overhead of keeping a detailed list of all cars and mods. Volunteer burnout being what it is, I can't foresee a long-term future in this enterprise. We've seen "Rootes Register" programs come and go. I have heard that some people object to placing their cars on a register because it allows thieves to locate them more easily. I haven't experienced this problem, but have spoken to others who have. Security should be a consideration. How does the TAC team handle this?

Rex Funk

---------- > From: Rich Atherton <gumby(at)connectexpress.com>
> To: Sunbeam Tiger List <tigers(at)autox.team.net>; Sunbeam Alpine List
<alpines(at)autox.team.net> > Subject: Identification Delema
> Date: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 11:54 AM
>
> Only the Tigers need to be inspected. There's no point in spending
the Man > hours to look at cars that are not being cloned. No one is going to take
a > TR-4, and rebody it as an Alpine. Just report what the car is, and what
you, or > some previous owner has done to it, and its current configuration. for
your > small fee, you'll receive a plaque and rivets which lists the information
you > have provided. I think this should be done by anyone who is modifying an
Alpine > for whatever reason. If there is interest from other modle owners, like
the > IMP, Minx, etc, then maybe other plaques could be done for the same
reason. > Thse are NOT to track the Authenticity of these other cars because NO
ONE is > going to forg one. These are only for peice of mind to track the
modifications > that many people like to do. Howmany Series I, II, III, or IV are
running > around with different engine/tranny combination that what the car came
with > originally? Lots of you !! Why not document those changes! With these
cars, > changing the engines, probably won't degrade the cars value except by
those who > want a perfect car, and they already know what they are looking for. If
you car > is for sale and someone wants a perfect one, they can look at the plate,
and see > what's been done, and they determine if it's reversible or not. They'll
see the > plate's contact information, and if they are interested, can have all of
the > details on that car faxed directly to them. They then decide if they
want the > car or not. There are no questions for Authenticity......All of the cars
are > Authentic...Only Tigers have been cloned, and TAC covers that for the
most part. >
> Rich
>