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

Posted by Mr.Pushbutton  On 2010/6/7 21:42:21

Most restored cars are over-restored, and that has become the norm. Some of this is due to the desire for trophies or awards as status, or validation of high value. I recall at several Pacakrd nationals seeing all of the 51-56 cars with their hoods open, the black panel most visible, the panel that directs the air through the radiator and has the hood latch was finished as well as the senders hoods and doors on the bodies of these cars, and that seemed like a of bit over reaching, but they were very nicely done cars!
One hears the old saw about "you could have the car painted any color you wanted for $35 (O-D, it was more like $110 in early depression era dollars, right?) and that is used to justify street rod metallic paints, hues no one in the ear liked (like purple or "auction action red"), those colors seem to go in their own era, one can see a car at a show and peg when the restoration was done by the non-authetic "custom" color. Packards by and large are restored, more or less as original cars, although the number of street rods is growning, and I worry about 15-20 years from now, as we lose the more elder owners of many Packards.
I don't mind if folks add high speed rear end gears or the adapter plates that allow the Northeast cars to run on commanly available point sets, more power to the guy who has all the factory parts and it serves them for how they choose to enjoy their cars.