Ron ranted a classic rant:
> ...In the winter, it started when newer cars didn't. So, why replace the
> generator[?] ... I collect antique phonographs too. If I pulled out the
> spring powered motor in a Victor VV VI and put in a modern electric motor,
> it ... would be a frankenphono. ...I don't think it's right to make antique
> things modern.
I don't entirely disagree with Ron... but I guess mostly I do. Dropping a
Honda engine in a Triumph is extreme (-ly cool!) but I think many
performance and reliability upgrades are great ideas. And many of them
were "period correct" too. One of my ancient PO's banged a dent in the
wheel well so he could install bigger and better air filters, and he was
likely the guy who switched to 60 spoke wheels. Since my car lived in
Texas for 38 years I suspect an alternator never made sense, but I'll
bet he'd have switched if it did. Seat covers reduce the pain inflicted
on owner and SO alike, which helps keep families together. TR owners
tweaked their cars when new, and they're still doing it. That seems to
me to be in the spirit of the thing.
Then again if you consider a 40 y.o. car an antique to preserve, you
probably ought not to upgrade it. Or drive it. Which is okay by me too.
If you consider it a fun little car to drive, by all means enjoy it and
upgrade as required. I have this problem with my Edison antique
phonograph, actually. It's a nice old record player -- I don't have a
modern one since I'm from the CD generation -- and my kids love to
hear great-grandma's records. But if I use it to play those 78's, the
records will soon wear out. So it's use-value is pretty low for me. So it
is an an antique more than a record player, so I'm likely to get a
new(er) turntable one of these days so the boys can hear all those old
records. But I'll keep driving my TR4 like a new car, and modify it when
necessary. At least until construction of the Newell Museum of British
Cars is completed. Till then donations to the collection may be left on
the curb, just drop the keys in the antique milk box.
> And keep the vinyl seats, install the tonneau. It looks great when it is
> closed and keeps the bird doo off the seats too. It takes seconds to
> snapit in place.
Okay, I agree all the way with this one. Since the tonneau protects
the dash, instruments, and the rest of the interior too, I think it's the
ticket for protecting a guy from the hot seat.
Steven Newell
Denver, CO USA
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