[Healeys] FW: Original 750 Mile BN2

[Barrie Robinson]

Len,

Of course there are two types - the original and the 
non-original.  Your original car still exists.  This would not have 
been the case if you had junked the original motor with original 
number and dropped in another motor - big thing there is losing the 
original motor.  So you are a dyed-in-the-wool originality freak by 
self confession as all bling can be removed.  As an explanation may I 
quote my antique map fetish? I collect old maps and one of my 
favourites was printed in 1486.  It is museum mounted with three acid 
free mats, and a   nice gilt frame.  Despite all the stuff around it 
I still have the original map -all I have to do is strip off frame 
and stuff.  Now if I had decided to add more colour (the original is 
pretty basic in brown and blue) with some green for the trees and red 
for the letters, it would lose its originality.  It would NOT be an 
original 1486 map.  Same originality standards apply to cars


At 12:38 AM 6/18/2011, Len and/or Marge Hartnett wrote:
>Barrie:  You have to be one or the other (original or modified and 
>improved)?  I disagree.  I consider myself to be both.
>
>After purchasing my car while stationed in England with the USAF, I 
>considered the possibility of an engine swap in the future when the 
>original engine needed rebuilding or replacing.  At the time, I had 
>an F85 Oldsmobile with a V6 engine.  I did all the measurements and 
>determined that a swap was feasible.  However, when I returned to 
>the States, I joined Pacific Center (now Austin Healey Club USA) and 
>Austin Healey Club of America.  I discovered that the value of the 
>car was in originality.  I scrapped the engine swap idea.
>
>In the 41 years that I have owned and driven this car, I have added 
>many of the things that Donald would have added if he were still 
>around and building Healeys today.  These include electronic 
>ignition, additional gauges, "idiot" lights above the dash gauges, 
>cruise control, C.B. radio, high  beam flasher, four-way emergency 
>lights, coolant overflow tank, and intermittent wiper control.  I 
>have also added items that Donald may not have - John Alley Racing 
>rollover bar, Smiths oil level indicator, driving computer, and 
>electric supplemental radiator fan.
>
>I have not lost my concern for originality.  Should I or a future 
>purchaser desire a more original car, every item listed above is 
>hung on existing screws or in original holes.  All could be removed 
>without any evidence these things were installed on the car.  I want 
>to maintain the possibility of having an original Healey while 
>temporarily adding those items that provide an improved driving 
>experience for me.  Only 13,000 miles to go before the odo rolls 
>over to 200,000 miles.
>
>(The Other) Len
>Vacaville, CA, USA
>1967 AH 3000 MkIII, HBJ8L39031
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Barrie Robinson" <barrie at look.ca>
>To: "David Nock" <healeydoc at sbcglobal.net>; "Rich Chrysler" 
><richchrysler at quickclic.net>
>Cc: <healeys at autox.team.net>
>Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 8:15 AM
>Subject: Re: [Healeys] FW: Original 750 Mile BN2
>
>
>>David,
>>
>>
>>   There are several different types of "enthusiasts".    One of 
>> which is those who want to preserve the history and thus dote on 
>> originality. Another type is the one who modify their car and 
>> boots it round the countryside.   The former cherishes cars in 
>> original condition,  the latter realising that originality has 
>> gone, modifies and improves.    But you have to be one or the other !!!
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Regards

Barrie
barrie at look.ca
705-721-9060