A purist's rant

Riteous Right Reverend Mahmoud Bin Changstein > wrote in message >. ..
> On 11 Sep 2004 14:34:05 -0700, (Shooting
> Shark) wrote:
>
> >On Hemmings' website today, I saw someone purporting to sell a
> >"completely restored" 1938 LaSalle. The site is he
> >
> >http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fu...ail/id/2121606
> >
> >First of all, it's silver, which I question was a factory color in
> >1938. Second, even the most casual observer will notice that the
> >wheels are contemporary as are the tires. But those aren't the most
> >egregious crimes: the poster goes on to point out with pride that this
> >vehicle is now equipped with (and I quote) "custom interior, audio,
> >a/c, power steering" and "all parts aluminum and polished".
> >
> >What these bozos have done is nothing short of criminal. They have
> >taken a piece of automotive history--there are only about 880 LaSalles
> >of all ages and types in the world--and ruined it by making it a
> >modified vehicle. The money spent on making it a toy that would be
> >the delight of some NASCAR country slackjawed yahoo could have been
> >spent on restoring it properly to the way it was when it rolled off
> >the assembly line in 1938 (or late 1937)--and it would have been
> >eminently driveable, and a lot more appealing. If I had the money,
> >I'd buy it, restore it correctly, and make damn sure the previous
> >owners had their noses rubbed in every and any little thing they did
> >wrong as an example to others: don't screw with the true classics.
> >
> >To all of you NHRA types out the go ahead and modify Fords all you
> >like; they're a dime a dozen, and nobody much cares about Fords
> >anyhow. You've seen one, and you've seen 'em all. But modifying a
> >higher-end vehicle, like a LaSalle or Packard, or a now-gone marque
> >(I've seen Hupmobiles and Cords modified) is criminal, and those that
> >commit such crimes commit the unforgiveable.
>
> As the owner of a mildly modified Hupmobile I take exception to the
> term "crime". My car was nearly complete when I found it but it was
> missing some key components like the starter and distributor. I could
> have had new ones machined but the cost outweighed the benefits. Had I
> gone the restoration route I would have had an 80 HP car with cable
> actuated brakes. The car might have been fine for use in parades and
> car shows but would not have been reliable or safe for every day
> driving. I removed the 900 lb cast iron straight 6 engine and replaced
> it with a 160 hp, 300lb Chevy 250. Power disk brakes have been
> installed for improved stopping. When the vehicle ahead stops I can
> stop too unlike a stock Hup. I've taken care to retain the original
> looks of the car both inside and out. The automatic transmission uses
> the original shift handle. The parking brake is original. The
> upholstery is mohair duplicating the original patterns. The power
> windows are operated by the original window cranks. The Chevy engine
> is very close in appearance and size to the Hupp. I can buy and
> running gear parts at any parts store in the US. I can buy Hupp parts
> nowhere. I now drive my car every day. How many purists can say the
> same?

The point is, you have modified a car, not restored. Refer to it as
"rebuilt", or "modified", just don't call it "restored", it isn't.