Restore to new or keep the patina. Which is best?

[mk1]

Following on from discussion on a different thread, I thought I'd start a new topic, so here it is.

Well, the question is when restoring a car which do you prefer, to restore a car to a better than new, as new or try & keep the Patina.

Please feel free to vote on the poll & pass any comment in this thread.

I'll say now't at the moment, but will once a few other people have chipped in.

[rich@minispares.com]

you missed option four

'tried to make it look brand new, made such a bad job of it, it now looks worse than before'

[mk1]

& of course the ever popular Couldn't be arsed to clean anything, it goes OK but still looks like a sack of kack

[Dr.Mabo]

Of course it always depends on the condition before.

I voted "as new" because many projects are so fare gone nowadays, its impossible to keep any kind of patina.

You have to decide to go either one or the other way. If you have to renew about 80% of the body and mechanics you can't keep patina just on the remaining items. This will look like you are not able to finish the project or lost passion at the end.

So long
the doc

[almondgreen]

If possible, patina, or is there any chance to get the smell back, after restoring ?
A Log book restoration with patina would be interesting too....

[Pandora]

Or, if you're into volkswagens, everyone gets their car restored by Pat and Tina. They are masters of the 'rat look'......

My favorite was a VW splittie which appeared to have very fine road rash coming through on the front, but on VERY close inspection, it was actually a very careful spattering of paint! it looked incredibly convincing.

I remember speaking with a well known Alfa Restorer about the 'patina' on a car and he replied with something along the lines of "yes, getting those years of wear took bloody hours!" in that case it was to disguise repairs to an otherwise nicely aged car, but other fresh restorations do seem to gain age during the process.

Park a 100 point car at a show next to a scruffy example and a 'scruffily original' one, and we know where the crowd will gather. perfect cars leave me a wee bit cold.

Al

[foxy52]

Pat and Tina will always be the most popular on older minis that's for sure..... foxy52

[gs.davies]

I voted for patination - you really can't beat an 'unrestored' car and it's a shame that my car will end up too clean as it's having so much done. It'd seem wrong to sling all the scruffy knackered bits back on it after lavishing such attention on rebuilding the car from a derelict shell!

I wonder when car restorers will cotton onto the same concept that Fender Guitars did with their 'relic' series - new guitars with absolutely knackered paint jobs, dirty fingerboards, rusty bridge saddles..

Like this for example..http://www.fender.com/custom-shop/serie ... -sunburst/

[JC T ONE]

Park a 100 point car at a show next to a scruffy example and a 'scruffily original' one, and we know where the crowd will gather.

Al

Yepp, perfect example was MCR day 2013 = Guy Smiths car was sourronded by people all day, while other "works" cars were hardly noticed.

This said it also has to do with what degree of work is needed, if a car needs major repairs / repaint, I think its ok to restore it.

[china]

If you put on a brand new pair of smart trousers, would you wear a 30 year old pair of shoes with them,but then again if they have been looked after they might just look the part with a bit of spit and polish.
I have a foot in both camps.

[mab01uk]

Early unrestored Mini's (and most later ones!) nearly always need major bodywork repairs, replacement and welding......my brother and I now go to great lengths to keep as much of the original panelwork as possible during restorations, particulary on historic cars (see below) with 'history'.....but this usually means a complete showroom shiny repaint and the early grey fleck interiors in particular are nearly always well worn, water stained and torn (not of a very high quality when brand new!). so the dilemma is always that the new paint makes the original shabby interior look even worse, although you do of course retain more of that unique early Mini interior smell !

This early '59 Mini is currently undergoing body restoration with as much original metalwork and interior trim, etc retained as possible for the owner....but others sometimes just want everything looking brand new regardless of patina.
15th oldest-surviving Mini in the world and 529th of its type
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... 0-000.html

http://1959miniregister.com/1959-mini-gallery-morris-b/

[swifty]

I would say , as new . If a cars restored then used again , in time the patina witch comes with age and use will naturally be restored again . So in my opinion why not restore to as new , do a few shows , then rag it to bits , then start again ... To keep that old smell in a restored car I simply re use the old hessian / backed felt stuff that's behind the door panels , in the headlining etc . ... Ken

[Dr S]

For me it has to be patina, my car still has bumpy floors with Joddled edges from when I fitted them 10 years back, likewise the inner wings have had sections let in and ground back smooth, however we've made no extra effort to get them die straight.

The paint is fresh but the interior is old, the engine is repainted but the threads on the head studs etc have been left to keep some age present. It works for me.

Our Vdub has fresh paint over rust free slightly wavy panels and a different coloured engine bay. New custom interior and an old headlining and dash. Feels like an old van to me. I don't want to wash away the age of it!

Nick and the alarmingly shiney RedShed

[minimans]

As a Professional restorer I sometimes have a difficult time of this question! My personal preference is do as little as possible while still keeping the car looking as presentable as possible, a few years ago this just did not happen with paying customers they all wanted the shinny better than new look, but the last couple of years things have started to change I now do a lot more "performance upgrades" than before and also semi restorations and my personal belief is it has more to do with cost than anything else!! it has become trendy to have the best looking un-restored car on the field. In fact I know of one VERY expensive Bugatti that was restored at no expense spared and then "distressed" to look old again!! Including the head mechanics trouser belt for the bonnet strap......................
Here's mine (now sold much to my regret ) All original paint from the front wings back all original interior But with a 1380 and 'S' running gear.....................

mini 036.jpg

[surfblue63]

I haven't voted because I think if the concept of the car is carried on throughout then it is right.

I like to see correctly restored cars, restored used cars, original running cars, barn finds, Coachbuilts and Custom cars.

What I do not like are over restored cars with overly shiny paint, where it wasn't originally, and over polished metal parts. I also don't like cars with mirrors under them that turn up on a trailer.

[Se7enthHeaven]

I haven't voted because I think if the concept of the car is carried on throughout then it is right.

I like to see correctly restored cars, restored used cars, original running cars, barn finds, Coachbuilts and Custom cars.

What I do not like are over restored cars with overly shiny paint, where it wasn't originally, and over polished metal parts. I also don't like cars with mirrors under them that turn up on a trailer.

^Like^

[Bart Smith]

Patina for me. I know thats unusual for a "Yank" but I like them a little beat like they just got done racing more than a few seasons.

[mini63]

As new is i think the nicest way to sort a car.
I appreciate the 'patina-ised' well cared for look though which over time
is how most proper restorations end up.

The only example i can think of where the two worlds have started out
together is the fastidiously restored ex-Peter Whitehead ERA where the driver's seat is as it left the factory but all else is a superbly sorted castrol-R smelling jewel because more important bums have there than its current owner!

[coop12g295]

I'm with Surf on this my 62 has had the rot cut out and has gone from Austin sdl
to a CCC S inspired T car.
Its so far from original with mods and replacement parts none of the above options apply

[mk1]

I have found this thread most interesting.

Personally I also like the original unmessed with look, but for the Speedwell car it is going to have to be back to factory or thereabouts. It is having so much original body replaced that it would be daft to try & fake age on it.

The lucky thing for me is that I am sure a rough bugger that give me 12 months with a car & it looks like it has been on the road 10 years So I'm sure that Pat & Tina will be back before long.-