What's Original?

[RichardNew]

There is no accepted definition of originality. Every marque defines it differently. Here's an article I recently wrote comparing the judging of Corvettes, Porsches and Ferraris.

The judging of originality is very different for each marque.

Richard Newton

[carreradpt]

Very interesting. Got me to thinking. I am one who drives my 911, not as a daily driver but one who takes road trips. I also try to maintain it as best as I can, with regular mx and preventative mx. I'm also trying to preserve the car which best describes how I approach things with my projects. My 911 has been very well preserved over its life with very few changes from original, all reversible except one. But the one area that drives me nuts is how to maintain the interior leather and its color. I want to redye the seats due to normal wear but also appreciate the patina of a nicely worn interior. If I do the seats i'll have to do the doors, if I do the doors i'll have to do the back seats etc. To each his own I guess but it does maintain the originality if I just don't f with it and let it age in peace. Sorry, your thread just got me thinking out loud.

[BE911SC]

I love the originality of my '84 and treat it as a kind of time machine. I have had several (makes of) older/vintage cars for that purpose, some modified and some not. I prefer the stock, as-delivered 911 experience. Stock sound, performance, feel, ride, and yes the stock quirks and shortcomings.

As for the article, this is the best sentence: "Why does any of this matter? It matters because money is involved." Restored stuff is nice but it's now been done to death for three decades or more so now the untouched cars are where the money is running to. Seinfeld just bought an original 356 Speedster for more than a restored one would bring. Someday my '84 will go on to the next caretaker and I think it will be worth more money, yes, but also worth more as an experience.

[wayner]

I just heard a good quote on the jay Leno garage show.

I've forgotten the quote, so here it is in my own words: my Rembrandt could use a fresh paint job

[Josh D]

All cars built by all manufacturers have compromises built in and can be improved upon.
I bought my car for ME, not as an investment or for someone else down the road. I'll make whatever mods to mine to build my ideal 911 (within my budget of course). I have no need for originality.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by Josh D

All cars built by all manufacturers have compromises built in and can be improved upon.
I bought my car for ME, not as an investment or for someone else down the road. I'll make whatever mods to mine to build my ideal 911 (within my budget of course). I have no need for originality.

Just take a look at a Singer....

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Josh D

All cars built by all manufacturers have compromises built in and can be improved upon.
I bought my car for ME, not as an investment or for someone else down the road. I'll make whatever mods to mine to build my ideal 911 (within my budget of course). I have no need for originality.

Agreed, and to modify them is to honor the spirit and intent of these cars (same goes for any high performance machine). I don't see the appeal in keeping them in their "as delivered", overly neutered states, butt each to their own, buttofcourse.

[tirwin]

There have been a few cars that caught on fire from a lack of fuse near the front condenser blower motor. If adding a fuse means I lose imaginary points for originality, then so be it.

I'm going to the Hilton Head Concours at the end of the month and Amelia Island next year. I love old cars and I appreciate the cars at those events but maintaining a car at that level is not for me.

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^

Tim, building a cold blowing (ha ha!) a/c system has rendered your car so bastardized that you might as well skip the added fuse and set fire to it intentionally, bro!

[tirwin]

The A/C would put the fire out!

[Ronnie's.930]

Ha! No doubt! Might need to hose it down with some laquer thinner first!

[carreradpt]

Originally Posted by Josh D

All cars built by all manufacturers have compromises built in and can be improved upon.

Very true. And I must say I have done the mods that improve the car too. Headlight relays, condenser fan fuse, oil cooler fan, ac improvements, chip, Becker hu, 2 wire head temp sensor, exhaust system, hard wired V1 and others. But have kept all the original stuff too; steering wheel, radio, exhaust/cat, 6" fuchs, toolkit, spare tire, pump, all the old chit.

I like knowing that the next owner will have everything the car came off the lot with and that it looks like it did or pretty darn close to it.

And this is no garage queen either. I drive this car; just did a 1500 mile trip (w/o bra of course) to the Tail of the Dragon a couple weeks ago and passed 180K Miles.

But I love modded cars and the imagination that folks use to make their cars theirs.

[RichardNew]

Over the past decades I've saved every part that has come off of my 911. I wonder what the next owner will do with all that stuff?



I also got lucky and never made any changes that couldn't be reversed. I really wanted flares at one point but couldn't get the money together. Being poor is sometimes a good thing.

Richard Newton

[tirwin]

Beautiful car! I've done the same thing. My wife wonders what I'll do with all the stuff.

[RichardNew]

Actually my wife doesn't have that worry. She's already explained to my son that he's getting it. All of it.

Richard Newton

[Ronnie's.930]

I take the opposite approach and sell off the parts I remove. For one thing, that is a way for me to help fund buying the parts that I want, and I suppose it also provides stock components to those out there that value such things. As far as a possible next owner being upset about that, I say "boo hoooooo", and if someone would refuse to buy the car for the price I want based on the lack of stock components, then they are not worthy of such a fine automobile.