Patina
- Thread starter The Rovering Member
- Start date
Whereas I'm gobsmacked at some of the restorations people have done, I do prefer a P6 which looks like it might have taken a family to the beach in the long hot summer of 1976.
Obviously it's a personal thing and at the risk of being labelled some kind of up-tight purist going to classics shows these days, many of the vehicles just don't feel very authentic anymore. They are more "custom shows", which is of course absolutely fine and proper if people are willing to invest the time and money in keeping their cherished car on the road.
I was a kid in the 1970s and there were lots of P6s around in various states of decay and sometimes looking at forumers cars this plays tricks on the memory; they are simply too damn good. The main one is the number of accessories and the wheels fitted. Back in the day when these were often company cars or someones cheap transport later in life, you just wouldn't see this. Today so many have ETs, boot mounted spares or alloys, it's a pleasure to see a plain-jane 2000sc.
That and the "restoration red-shift" which seems to happen with many cars of this period. We should be almond, tobacco and mexico and proud!
Obviously it's a personal thing and at the risk of being labelled some kind of up-tight purist going to classics shows these days, many of the vehicles just don't feel very authentic anymore. They are more "custom shows", which is of course absolutely fine and proper if people are willing to invest the time and money in keeping their cherished car on the road.
I was a kid in the 1970s and there were lots of P6s around in various states of decay and sometimes looking at forumers cars this plays tricks on the memory; they are simply too damn good. The main one is the number of accessories and the wheels fitted. Back in the day when these were often company cars or someones cheap transport later in life, you just wouldn't see this. Today so many have ETs, boot mounted spares or alloys, it's a pleasure to see a plain-jane 2000sc.
That and the "restoration red-shift" which seems to happen with many cars of this period. We should be almond, tobacco and mexico and proud!
Dave3066
Well-Known Member
PeterZRH said:
I agree on the latter 2, not sure about the first one though :wink:
From my perspective it's more about testing my own skills and ability to do the best restoration job I can rather than producing a show winner. However, I think that people who attend shows and get an opportunity to cast a vote appreciate the level of hard work and attention to detail that goes into a restoration, hence those cars become the favourites.
I enjoy seeing the range of cars at a club event and would always encourage those that show an appropriate level of patina to come along too. We should all be proud of the cars we own, irrespective of their condition.
Dave
When he saw ETR "Ethel" 290L for the first time, my wealthy brother-in-law said, "Blimey - I don't remember these being this nice"
Of course he was right - there weren't that nice - they were just ordinary cars.
Heartbeat, films like The Bank Job all have pristine, even concours vehicles. In reality they would have been filthy dirty.
This is partly why I didn't bother washing Ethel at the golden jubilee rally last year - Ethel is a working car - I'd been camping in North Cornwall, then Exmoor, then the south side of Loch Ness and then direct to Alcester without going home - both man and car were matching in dirty red and black clothing. I had a cold shower at the rugby club but the car didn't, much to the disgust of my fellow campers and club members.
I take the point about red paint - Ethel is was poo brown and proud. I am very tempted to restore the original colour but Ethel has so many published photos in her current livery she will be resprayed red. Helga was tobacco leaf and she will be again in the next couple of years.
Of course he was right - there weren't that nice - they were just ordinary cars.
Heartbeat, films like The Bank Job all have pristine, even concours vehicles. In reality they would have been filthy dirty.
This is partly why I didn't bother washing Ethel at the golden jubilee rally last year - Ethel is a working car - I'd been camping in North Cornwall, then Exmoor, then the south side of Loch Ness and then direct to Alcester without going home - both man and car were matching in dirty red and black clothing. I had a cold shower at the rugby club but the car didn't, much to the disgust of my fellow campers and club members.
I take the point about red paint - Ethel is was poo brown and proud. I am very tempted to restore the original colour but Ethel has so many published photos in her current livery she will be resprayed red. Helga was tobacco leaf and she will be again in the next couple of years.
Think there is a place for all conditions of cars.
Concourse cars are good for a club as they show what can be achieved, however keeping them in that condition must be a nightmare, let's not forget concourse should mean better than new and after all cars are meant to be driven.
Personally I'm aiming to get my car to look like its 5 years old, very tidy but not too perfect so it ends up being too precious.
It's all down to personal taste, and ultimately it's great to have all conditions at shows, even cars that need a lot of work as some some car clubs featuring other marks can be very snobbish!
Concourse cars are good for a club as they show what can be achieved, however keeping them in that condition must be a nightmare, let's not forget concourse should mean better than new and after all cars are meant to be driven.
Personally I'm aiming to get my car to look like its 5 years old, very tidy but not too perfect so it ends up being too precious.
It's all down to personal taste, and ultimately it's great to have all conditions at shows, even cars that need a lot of work as some some car clubs featuring other marks can be very snobbish!
catboy said:
I think this is a great look to strive for.
When I restored a Series 1 interior a few years ago, many people commented that the seats looked "like new". That was of course the intention at the time but in the years that have passed, I am very pleased how the seats have 'gone off' - formed a patina - very natural looking. (funny I was googling this word just a couple of weeks ago in the context of copper domed roofs)
WP_20140517_003.jpg by EthelRedThePetrolHead, on Flickr
The Rovering Member
Well-Known Member
Well, there's always excitement in discovering something that's lain dormant for years, awaiting return to the daylight & regular use (one resists the urge to draw comparisons with ones lovely wife :wink: ).
It's probably exactly because car shows are full of rows of beautifully restored cars that the 'lived in' look is becoming more popular. There are only so many shiny, pampered vehicles that you (well, me at least) can look at without getting jaded, especially at single marque events. I have been through that stage myself to some extent but I now like to drive a car that looks as if it's just part of the family & not pulled out simply for highdays & holidays or never taken out in the rain.
Saying that, I think our P5B does need a respray.
It's probably exactly because car shows are full of rows of beautifully restored cars that the 'lived in' look is becoming more popular. There are only so many shiny, pampered vehicles that you (well, me at least) can look at without getting jaded, especially at single marque events. I have been through that stage myself to some extent but I now like to drive a car that looks as if it's just part of the family & not pulled out simply for highdays & holidays or never taken out in the rain.
Saying that, I think our P5B does need a respray.
sdibbers
Well-Known Member
Rolly had a lovely honest patina, it was one of things I loved about the car. The front seats were a little scruffy, but the paint was just where it should have been for a car of his advanced years. It shine up to a point, but also looked correct, if you get my drift. Beryl received a respray by her first owner. Her interior is original, but very nice. But I almost miss the dull shine of my old car. (I regret that accident frequently.
The Rovering Member
Well-Known Member
Original patina, easily destroyed, never recovered.