In a message dated 4/12/2005 3:58:47 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
pryner@verizon.net writes:
Lets wait a minute before we throw out the baby with the bath. I've had
several cars that I've broken down for spares as they just weren't worth the
$$$ to restore. Where else are we going to get original parts to repair our
cars? There are many instances where it makes more sense to salvage usuable
parts and throw the rust away vice spending a fortune rebuilding a vin
plate. Obviously the more rare the car is, the more it may pay to restore.
When I have had parts available most owners are very happy that I made the
parts available so they could get a good original part. Just my $.02
Pete
Pete and all,
I've hesitated to chime in, because I remembered my first experience with a
"Sports Car" club and how they didn't take to the long haired high school kid
with the Riley 1.5. However, I also worked in my dad's salvage yard.
I could cry today over the chevy's, fords, chryslers, and yes British cars,
we cut up, parted out and then crushed for scrap metal.
A few years ago, there was an import salvage dealer here in El Paso that
would take running British sports cars and part them out. BUT, he could make
twice as much or more from the parts than he could from the sale of the
restorable car, and that's why he was in business. I'd like to think that
several
cars were repaired or restored with the parts of each one he scrapped.
Where would we get used parts for our Triumphs if none were ever scrapped.
As many of us can say from the list members experiences, hardly any rusty
shell is beyond saving if you are willing to put the time and money in it.
I thoroughly enjoy the lists I am on, much more than the times I have
visited local clubs.
Robert B. Houston
Texan in New Mexico
63 TR4
73 MG Midget
94 F150
03 Beetle
To model our political system upon speculations of lasting tranquility, is
to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character.
---Alexander Hamilton
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