Why would you buy a classic without the ability to restore and maintain it yourself?
Ive restored a couple and I cannot imagine the cost of outsourcing all that work.
So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
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Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#12Ironically, if it's a mid-century domestic, there is probably better parts availability, especially aftermarket, than anything made within the last decade or so.
Definitely. I had to have a few parts machined but for the most part i was able to get parts online without any hassle.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#13Sorry to burst bubbles, but I've been in a few: The new cars really do drive better. Smoother shifts, better engines, effective climate control, better seats, just more comfy, more driveable, more responsive, even feel better. This isn't like vintage pens I'm afraid, where old meant high quality materials. Old cars are mostly just crappy (barring a very small set of outliers).
I think it boils down to the fact that cars represent the pinnacle of engineering for that time period. Engineering only gets better with time.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#14I enjoy watching Kinding It Design, Wheeler Dealer and similar shows. I suspect that some people might be inspired to consider those careers after watching the gleeful professionalism of the people featured on such shows.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#15There's a great car restoration business near us. The sole proprietor is in his late 70s and refuses to take on any apprentice. Says he refuses to train his competition. Sad that all those years of experience and skill will go to waste.
For somebody in their 70s, a more productive viewpoint would be to be passing on a legacy. Even with a long healthy life, competition should no longer be a big concern.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#16There's a great car restoration business near us. The sole proprietor is in his late 70s and refuses to take on any apprentice. Says he refuses to train his competition. Sad that all those years of experience and skill will go to waste.
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Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#17I've seen firsthand the attrition in restoration work. It's in a pretty sad state. My dad runs the garage his dad started in Kansas City decades ago, and his business partner is in the back half of his 80s. They're rushing to get work done and knowledge transferred before it's gone forever, but he's always telling me about people who have had to stop working, or died. I can never believe what people are paying to get work like chrome plating or upholstery done or the wait times. I wonder if there will be anyone left by the time we get around to restoring one of our own.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#18Sorry to burst bubbles, but I've been in a few: The new cars really do drive better. Smoother shifts, better engines, effective climate control, better seats, just more comfy, more driveable, more responsive, even feel better. This isn't like vintage pens I'm afraid, where old meant high quality materials. Old cars are mostly just crappy (barring a very small set of outliers). I think it boils down to the fact that c…
I don’t think people are buying vintage cars for the ride quality. The owners I’ve seen with them see it as a passion.
Much like the McLaren F1 has a cult following, yet no traction control or turbo.
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#19Why would you buy a classic without the ability to restore and maintain it yourself? Ive restored a couple and I cannot imagine the cost of outsourcing all that work.
Yeah but was your work concours grade?
Re: So You Bought a Fancy Vintage Car. Now Who's Going to Restore It?
#20Sorry to burst bubbles, but I've been in a few: The new cars really do drive better. Smoother shifts, better engines, effective climate control, better seats, just more comfy, more driveable, more responsive, even feel better. This isn't like vintage pens I'm afraid, where old meant high quality materials. Old cars are mostly just crappy (barring a very small set of outliers). I think it boils down to the fact that c…
I love classics, but they are not safe to drive at all and a 65 v8 mustang performs worse than a 90’s civic in just about every way.