Re: Authenticity vs. Modification

Posted by HH56 On 2009/4/11 13:47:01

I originally posted this in the 12v conversion thread but since I'm a glutton for punishment, more appropriate here.

This thread and the companion Authenticity vs Modification one was sure to open old wounds. Will throw my opinion in as well. I also believe in authenticity up to a point.

The point being when it reaches a stage where a vehicle and lack of a feature is not enjoyable to it's owner for whatever reason. Examples would be something we have all gotten used to and yes, spoiled by having but the item is not available for 6v --- or a mechanical component either NLA at any price or cost prohibitive for the current owner to repair so original is held together by bailing wire and prayer -- and may not be the safest or most reliable thing to have anyway. And to answer a comment sure to come, yes he could always sell it and find something more desirable but why should he have to.

I, as well as many others, have memories of the 4-40 or 6-60 air conditioning of the 40 and 50's and don't really wish to relive that particular memory. If an aftermarket vendor would make available a decent but halfway period correct--or any for that matter-- 6v AC system, am almost positive about 90% of the desire for 12v conversions would go away. It appears one vendor is now trying to help a tiny bit in the audio category with a 6v no mod adapter for an iPod or the like but that still leaves lots of modern things or conveniences we've gotten used to where there is no alternative short of doing without. Thankfully, except for the AC, a 6 to 12 V inverter will solve most of those audio issues if used with the no mod item above and give a very enjoyable period feel.

As to mechanical, well lets just say that the days of stopping on the side of the road and fixing something or having a good samaritan help out or even being towed in has also lost it's lustre.