Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

[trrdster2000]

I hope you all have access to the English Mag, Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, because the December issue has a great story about how the TR4, TR250 and TR6 are holding there own against a lot of new comers. They say a TR6 in excellent condition in the UK is going for $60,000. No wonder they get them here and ship back and convert to right hand drive. One picture got my attention was a TR6 in tan with tan dash and door trim,even the dash top, a real classy look, I would have never thought would work. The November issue was giving praise to the TR7. For $10 a nice artical about the cars we love. Wayne

 

[4aKen]

TR fans will like this article a lot.

 

[swift6]

That TR6 was a fairly 'updated' TR6 though and not a factory concours example. England is seeing more and more hobbyists wanting to drive their cars much more often, including trips to the continent for holiday etc... so 'updated/improved'(more power and comfort) cars are fetching more than concours cars. Happening in the MG circles as well. I read in an issue of Classic & Sports Car earlier this year that the MG Owners Club had to cancel one of their big shows for lack of attendance. People were losing interest in car shows and doing more rallyes and vacation drives instead. This was the first time in 30 years that they had cancelled the show. IT also mentioned that more and more modified classes were being required at car shows just to insure attendance. I, for one, found that very interesting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Guest]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

IT also mentioned that more and more modified classes were being required at car shows just to insure attendance. I, for one, found that very interesting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

As witnessed by VTR starting to recognize more the modified class of car and even inserting such as a votable category or class. Long overdue. We all love to admire the concours restoration but few can afford or even want that level of rebuild. As a driver of a "resto-mod", I enjoy the changes or improvements that I have made.

 

[DrEntropy]

Seconded.

It's nice to see a concours example but the cars I own are cars I want to DRIVE, not carry around on pillows. I've done restorations for clients, I do 'rebuilds' for myself. If some part of the car can be improved for practicality/reliability/comfort, then it gets done.

...BTW, I don't consider an electronic iggy to be an improvement. Carrying a spare set of points & condensor aboard in their own container is my definition of practical.

 

[YankeeTR]

I've literally been to hundreds of car shows from Pebble Beach to Hershey and every local show around here.

Judging cars at a national/regional meet for points is fine. It's important that we preserve certain examples of each make for history's sake.

But, I've found, that there are so many whiners and "trophy hounds" at many of these shows that I would NEVER want my car judged. And, sometimes, just listening to these guys complain that so and so got a 1st place despite having the wrong muffler clamps on his car makes me want to yawn.

While I usually pull in with some rattle-trap concoction that's one-step away from the crusher, I LIKE that. I try to park next to some guy that's driving a "1-800" restoration or hot rod...it's always a bonus if the POS I'm driving has a recent oil leak to stink things up a bit.

Several years ago I bought a '69 Ford Falcon coupe...the proverbial "little old ladies" car. Fresh from the barn, it had 23,495 one-owner miles on it. Plus a crappy Earl Schieb paint job and dents on every corner from the PO driving into (and I MEAN INTO) her garage. The guy selling it told me that he wasn't going to "Give" the car away...I paid $250.00 for it.

Anyway, a month or so later I headed out to a local Sunday show and, since the show was a freebie, I parked inside the with all the "shiny" cars. I got placed next to some guy with a GM muscle car..an Olds 442, I think. We said "HI" and we shot the breeze a little...he was really proud of his car...told me about how much work he'd done on the resto (but then he told me later how much he PAID for it and he'd only bought it a few months ago...hmmmm)...$3k on paint, etc. Then I LOOKED at the car...the sand scratches, poor bondo repairs and pitted chrome reminded me of one of MY cars.

Anyway, late in the day, I was just ready to head home when I heard my name announced...I thought "great, I won a door prize"...

I went to the stage and found I'd been voted a trophy in the "1950 to 1970" Sedan class..or something like that....OK....I guess I was the only one in that class.

The hilarious thing was the guy in the Olds got a trophy for "Best Unrestored"!

Two of the bigger shows I attend every year don't have ANY judging...and one has over 10,000 show cars. To ME, car shows are about people, renewing old friendship, making new friends and having fun. No competition...just enjoying the cars no matter what shape they are in.

I kinda like it like that.

 

[Tinkerman]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

Ya know after reading the above I almost hate to mention that I am restoring one to Concours condition, Yet I am. Because I want to. All of my restorations have been of the "fresh out of the factory" type of restorations. I enjoy it and do much of the works myself. To me Concours means Factory condition. I do not go with "over restoration" and I stand four square against "trailer Queens".
We all have different reasons for being in this hobby and I feel we should respect each and everone else's reason as well as my reason should be respected.
If you were to read the TRA judging and restoration manual you would understand that if it can't be proven as having been a factory standard or option it generally isn't allowed. Safety items of course are allowed.
Frankly I feel that modified classes should be allowed. Throughout automotive history backyard modifications were and still are the path to better equipment and better performance.
Anyhow that's my two cents worth.
Cheers, Tinkerman

 

[Guest]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

Hoorah for you, Tink. Seriously, I admire anyone that restores these beauties to concours or factory-fresh condition. The majority of cars at our annual New Orleans car show are concours or concours-attempts (some pro, some amateur). Then there are the few of us that attempt to improve our babies and end up with fairly radical hot rods, still in the time-honored tradition of the British car they are. I just like the idea of something that is old that goes fast and stops good. As one big happy family, we all have our place under the sun. Keep those wrenches aturning!

 

[swift6]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

I whole heartedly agree with Tinkerman. It takes all kinds to to keep this hobby going. From the looks of it, the snobby consours people (the ones that feel opposite of Tinkerman) are damaging the future of the hobby by not accepting modified cars and the people that want to modify them. I agree with YankeeTR too that it is important for some factory original type cars to exist from a historical standpoint. But for the future of our hobby, the next generation has to be encouraged to keep LBC's running down the road and the majority won't want the original performing cars. Many current owners don't want the original performance, they want more.

I was criticized by one local club member for painting my TR6 a non-factory color while he repainted his TR6 the original color, even though he didn't like the color, as he performed a cosmetic restoration. I made it clear to him that my TR6 was built for ME, not judges and that I could care less about trophys. He on the other hand was specifically restoring his car FOR trophies. It was a pure cosmetic resotration, the suspension was totally shot and the car was a total pig to ride in. Since a proper riding and handling car wouldn't get him more points (it looked okay sitting still) he didn't care about the ride and handling, even though he complained about it.

The first car show we were at together was a popular choice show. His car was a fresh cosmetic restoration and scored well, 2nd place in fact. Guess who took first place. Guess who also volunteered to take him his second place trophy since he left early and wasn't there to collect it. It was a fairly bittersweet moment. As it turns out, I've continued to win more trophies while he has continued to eek out a few here and there as well. My car draws bigger crowds at LBC shows and open shows because of its modifications. I appreciate the recognition of the awards but am not at all hurt if I don't get one. Though it does feel weird when I am subtly thanked by other TR6 owners for taking my TR8 to shows instead of my TR6. Evidently it has allowed many others to feel the pleasure of recognition by award when mine is removed from consideration. BTW, with the success my modified car has had locally, others in my local club have felt free to modify their cars, especially colors and have been successful with awarded recognition as well.

I guess I'll get off my soapbox and give my arm a break from patting my own back while I'm at it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[YankeeTR]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

After all of MY "soapbox" musings yesterday, I have to tell you that AFTER my bride and I drive the wheels off of this unrestored TR2 for a couple of years, I plan on taking it back to a condition as original as I can.

I'm already looking for (and have found) several correct pieces such as tail lights, brake light, cylinder head, carbs, etc. I really want this car to represent a factory-fresh car as much as possible.

I'm still waiting for my "Certificate" to arrive so I can accurately determine the cars original color. But if it's a color I can't stand, or have had before (white) or I think has been overused (red... although I have a fresh gallon of Viper Red in stock), it will get shot in a different color.

I like concours resto's, I like original survivors and I like hot rods...

 

[Brosky]

Re: Thoroughbred & Classis Cars, a must have

The closest I've come to any kind of glory was winning 2nd place out of 25 TR-6's this past summer at the Cape Cod Club event. But I had more fun driving behind the Jags and Big Healeys without being afraid of getting dusted because of mods made to the car. I also like blasting my stereo CD player once and a while, so that justifies a non OEM radio.

My point is probably the same as Shawn's in that while I want my car to look good, I want to get there safely, quickly and with a maximum amount of fun. I don't care about trophies and I truly admire those who take the time to get their cars in pristine condition. I vote for them every time, because of the effort that they put in to the cars.

As was said earlier, there is plenty of room for all types of owners in this hobby. Be respectful and tolerant and enjoy the view. But more importantly, enjoy the ride to get there. There is strength in numbers and we need this hobby to stay alive.