Don,
I really must say that I object to your characterization of anyone who rebuilds to concours standards as a freak! #1 if you are going to beat up on any one who rebuilds to that standard, at least spell it right!
Some folks don't truly understand what concours means. It means rebuilding a motorized vehicle to the same standards and look as when it came off the factory or dealership floor. Having said that I must add that there are some folks that do go overboard with it, they have more money than me. There is not a judge out there that would give extra points for a "Lucas" battery that cost $1100. I know because I have done some judging in my time.
I'm building a TR3A to that standard. What does that mean? I have done a ton of research and asked many questions on this forum to find out what is correct. I took the car completely apart and am putting it back together piece by piece after each piece has been examined refurbished or replaced. A tedious, frustrating, monster of a job! All except the body is being done by me, well except for the plating and the engine machine work. When it is done I will enter it in the concours competition, win lose or draw, I don't care because I will be very proud of it. It will probably get dirty because I will drive it. No trailer queen for me. The payoff will be when people come buy and say "nice car".
My thoughts on what "concours" means to me!
Tinkerman