Neil,
I personally think (and it's just my opinion), that if you have the
expertise and skill to "reclaim" certain parts on your car without having
to go out and buy a totally new part, then by all means do so. As long as
you can be confident that your car is totally safe in an emergency
situation, then you have done all that you can to maintain your car
properly. However, when looking for parts, I try to improve the
reliability of my car, rather than skimp on parts and see if I can get by
for the lowest possible price. These cars are old, and if new technology
has been developed that we can use without sacrificing originality or
safety, then I would try and incorporate it in my vehicle. I believe that
the bigger companies like Moss or Victoria British, while in business to
supply parts for these cars for all manner of skilled and unskilled
mechanics (and there are many excellent mechanics on this list), cater to
more inexperienced mechanical types, like myself, who are well aware that
we don't have the experience or knowledge to attempt to reline brake shoes,
for instance, and would rather pay more to have a part we know is safe and
done properly, rather than take chances. Nina
At 8:51 AM 7/11/98 -0700, neil.cairns@virgin.net wrote:
>What does everyone think of this? Is it short sighted to 'reclaim' items
>on a DIY basis,( I am experienced enough to know what NOT to re-use, I
>hope,) or am I being 'green' by not using up world resources, or am I
>putting people out of work? There is a great deal of satifaction in
>doing as much as possible yourself, but I am coming more and more up
>against the MG owner who just buys a new bit, and throws the worn bit
>away. To me that is a terrible waste.
>
>Over to you.........
>
>Neil Cairns.
|