[Zmagnette] preservation

[John Perkins]

Steve:  Watching 'Antiques Roadshow' I've seen several people with 
really old furniture get the news that stripping, disassembling, 
re-gluing and refinishing has made a beautiful piece that is worthless, 
where the dusty, dirty, smudged piece is worth a mint.  For me, I don't 
care.  My ZA looks like a ZA, drives like a ZA on steroids, and when 
completed will be comfortable to drive year 'round.  Although to add 
fuel to the fire, I get really irked to read about a guy buying a low 
mileage pristine car to cut up into a hot rod.
     Perkins

On 1/27/2014 1:19 PM, Steven Trovato wrote:
> Everyone says they don't care what people think, but I think they do, 
> at least a bit.  That's the only reason there is judging at car 
> shows.  As for this group, I think for the most part we do accept the 
> "do what ever pleases you" philosophy.  But it still pleases us to 
> have other people appreciate what we have.
>
> I do think we need to clarify some definitions.  Preservation means 
> keeping what is original.  Restoration can be done with an emphasis on 
> originality, or it can be done while making substantial modifications 
> to suit your preferences.  I would argue that one can fix some paint 
> chips and still call it preservation. But if you paint it the original 
> color, that's not preservation. It's restoration to original.  If you 
> paint it bright blue or add an automatic transmission and air 
> conditioning, that's restoration to suit your taste.  There's the 
> concept of a "restomod" where they may take an American 1950's sedan 
> and change the whole drivetrain to late model Corvette, add air 
> conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, etc.  It looks like 
> the 50's but drives like a modern car.
>
> As for preservation, it has been noted that with things like fine art 
> and antiques, it is originality that is valued over all else. 
> Refinishing a fine antique will destroy its value.  A skilled 
> craftsman might make fine repairs but  change as little as possible.  
> Sometimes, even cleaning is a big mistake.
>
> -Steve T.
>
> At 01:35 PM 1/27/2014, webuck1 at cox.net wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> My Magnette isn't even a chick magnet but, it drives, stops and turns 
>> some heads. When I attend the frequent free car shows most of the 
>> people look at my car and keep on going. Only the curious stop to 
>> look and chat. Doesn't matter to me. All I am trying to do is let the 
>> people see that 4 door MG's were produced.
>> As for preservation, I will go back to original color (what ever that 
>> will turn out to be) new carpet, new headliner and two rebuilt front 
>> seats and an engine rebuild. I drive my car all the time, everywhere, 
>> well almost everywhere. Steve, Do what you like with Millicent Rose. 
>> She is a beautiful car with some touch up to several items. Please 
>> the wife, please yourself. Does it matter what everyone else thinks? 
>> If it were a 100 point car I would never drive it. My thinking is 
>> cars were designed to drive and not sit in a barn for long periods of 
>> time. Drive it the way YOU like it.
>> Enjoy the Magnette(s) in your case. My MGB on the other hand will be 
>> mechanically almost original. The paint with it's two sunburns is not 
>> original at all. I love the color. It will sport a removable hard top 
>> too.
>> Buckey
>
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