Importance of keeping the vehicle "original"

[OffThaHorse]

Im considering taking my trashed door panels and seats to a local upholstery guy, picking out some colors and telling him to have his way with it.


Theres cars are much more abundant than my Allante but are by no means as abundant as say a corvette or camaro of similiar vintage...

Is it important to keep these cars true to the way the factory made them? Do we expect them to some day become collectible? Or should we just do as we please with these?

[thewizard]

Coming from a guy with a low mileage '76 I am going to rat, I say do what makes you happy.
Sure you may regret it later but so what. That's life. Enjoy it now as you want it. Most all the cars, any cars that are totally restored original will never bring the money as an investment. You will have more in it than you can get and will always be fretting over the damn thing so much it will take away from the fun.
If you feel the need to modify and have original too, buy another one like I did. Best of both worlds.

JMO

[narfire]

Only thing I can think of is to have two.. One go wild on, other nice and stock.

[spidernut]

I struggled too with the same issue. What I have learned with my two Spiders (one kept original, the other not), is that the one that I modified is more fun to own because I'm not worried about keeping it original. If done well, modifications that aren't too overtly personal in taste are fine. There are some really nice resto-mods out there that are probably worth more today than the stock ones. 20-30 years from now that might be a different story.

[4uall]

Being a newer owner (sept/11) I have always thought the value of anything is how much someone else is willing to pay I will continue my resto mod however, I do enjoy everyone doing their own unique changes etc

[katsi]

IMHO, I really think that it does not matter as long as you keep it tastefull. A lot of people end up goung overboard on a project and ruin it. For example, installing leather interior in a Ford Pinto is not going to enhance the car. A Pinto could be a cool, old car but one with leather seats would just look like a cadillac with huge rims on it - stupid Afterall, you don't want people taking a snap shot of your ride on one of your quick stops to Wallmart and have your car end up on some web site. So, go ahead and let the upholster go at it but, keep it tastefull and true to the project. A modification should enhance the project - not creapify it like some dude wearing way too much gold jewlery. Those guys creap me out .

Just think about all those cars u see on the road where it looks like Pepboys threw up on it. I once saw a Toyota MR2 driving down the road and someone put one of those stick on hood scoops on it . I know, the motor is in the back! What the hell were they hoping to get air to? :shock Apparently not their brain. Yet again, we all know how hood scoops make girls just throw their clothes at you. See what I am doing here, I am enhancing this post way too much and making it less impactive or desirable. Don't do that to your car!

[4uall]

whats wrong with wearing gold?

http://www.guzer.com/pictures/crazy_bling.php

[ga.spyder]

I think very few of these cars are completely original,and most owners dont care that they arent.Do what you want.The fact that one is saved from the crusher is good enough for me.Most of the untouched ones I have seen are original owner cars.

[majicwrench]

A buddy of mine took a look at my 72 Spider a few years ago and cried out in amazement " It's got the original DUST". I guess that means mine is pretty much original, and that I never clean it
Do what makes you happy. Me, I switched out the neg battery cable years ago and it drove me nuts. Put the ratty looking "original" cable back on.
Keith

[mdrburchette]

As time goes by, it'll be harder to keep these cars original. I restored mine and upgraded little things to my liking as I went. I've never heard anyone complain about the mods, so I guess they're done tastefully. Btw, who says gold ain't tasteful?

[ga.spyder]

Did those come that way from the factory?

[vespistiSF]

Ultimately, it comes down to doing what you want to do with your car, but, when it comes time to sell, it's A LOT easier to sell one that's original than one made to represent your personal interpretation of what is "cool".

[Zippy]

Pininfarina has designed some of the most beautiful cars in the world. The Fiat 124 Spider is one anyone can afford. I think it is okay to do whatever you want since it is your car. That being said, I think it is a shame to do anything that disrupts the lines of this car. My car is like a rescue dog from the pound. It's not perfect, it has it's issues, but it is lovable and loves to run. It is a 78 but has a large bump hood and doors from a later model. It still turns heads and generates great conversations wherever I go. Today, as we were driving through our neighborhood, a guy walking his dog yelled out, Crazy Kids!!

[MrWampus]

I like the thoughts expressed on this topic. I intend to begin the long slow process of restoration probably sometime next year. My thought is to make some minor upgrades to the car that even though aren't original, will look like they might have been factory upgrades. I'm not so much worried about whether I can get a return on my investment (I can't) as I am having a car I love that looks nice.

[georgeramos]

This is a great topic that ive pondered more than once. My dream is a supple leather interior with contrasting stitching but with the original "factory" pleat patterns etc. I see it as a "factory option" that while unavailable in 1971 maybe coulda been...shoulda been.

It, however, will probably never happen for $$$ sake.

OffThaHorse, what did you have in mind upholstery wise? you never quite said.

-George