Just like the factory, period correct, or owner preference?

Posted by Dan On 2010/6/3 14:51:20

Is the goal of a restoration to make the car JUST like it was when it rolled out of Detroit?

Is it OK to make changes to the vehicle as long as they're correct FOR the particular vehicle (e.g. repaint a '34 Packard in a factory color even if it's NOT the same one the vehicle originally had)?

Or are certain "upgrades" OK (e.g. better rear end gears for highway cruising)?

I see examples of all 3,on this board and elsewhere.

IMHO, the rarer the vehicle, the more I would strive to make it JUST like it rolled off the production line. Guess it's the history buff in me...

And that's why I like to see Packards that are original and NOT restored.

I think there are valid reasons to do any or all of the above when doing a restoration project, other than what I mentioned.

Thoughts?