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Re: [T3] Original or Custom


Welcome to the list!

RobH=> what is the definition of "original" when it
=> comes to restoring older cars?

How's this: if it's restored, it's not original.

Pedantic discussion of what's 'correct' for a given car should, in my humble
opinion, be reserved for the hard cases who compete for points at the
exclusive 'classic' shows. It'll be another fifty years before our cars have
any chance at all of being considered for that sort of show, and small
chance at that. If you want to impress those guys, you've got the wrong car.

=> father in law, who restores old fords into custom hotrods,

That's not restoration, that's customizing.

=> debating whether I would be better off customizing my 68
=> or attempting to keep to it original.  I'm wondering which
=> might hit harder in the pocket book and in the end be a better
=> return on the investment.

If you want an investment, buy an original low-miles Shelby Cobra and
carefully preserve it in heated storage for 20 years. Never drive it.

It's the vanishingly rare deal that will allow you to make money on an old
car. My advice is to forget about the investment value and go with why you
decided to buy the car in the first place -- you enjoy it. Custom vs correct
decisions should be made based on your own performance, comfort and look and
preferences. I expect that a mild custom and a correct restoration cost
about the same for a given car, except where a custom choice is made to
avoid dealing with a deficiency -- say building a Baja because the fenders
are thrashed.

=> assuming a custom job would make it easier to find parts, etc...

Typ3 parts are not difficult to find, relative to other old cars, and good
German parts are leagues better than the aftermarket knock-offs. Further,
there's not that much aftermarket for the Typ3s, so not many custom choices.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 Big Ghia

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