That is the question. . .
That is the question. . .
Lyz Turner's glorious Early Interceptor, owned since 1968.
Should it be restored to pristine as-new condition, or left as a sound, running example, and a piece of Jensen history?
It really is a conundrum. I would love to own it, but I don't know whether I'd restore it or not.
Should it be restored to pristine as-new condition, or left as a sound, running example, and a piece of Jensen history?
It really is a conundrum. I would love to own it, but I don't know whether I'd restore it or not.
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If that was my car I would drive it daily repairing and restoring any items that failed as necessary until something major went wrong mechanicaly or structuraly, then might be the time to re-evaluate a full restoration. I would certainly love to do some touring around the UK once I was happy with the reliability and have some good memories to look back on.
Mike
Mike
I think a rolling restoration is warranted - prevent the corrosion spreading, doing a little at a time. The areas done will gain the patina of age in due course.
One thing I would leave alone, apart from some hide food, is the interior and dashboard.
I regret not catching some areas of damage or corrosion early on H5 as this has resulted in far more work being needed, giving the problem that Lyz is worried about, with the new bits showing up the original bits.
Primary objective must be to keep them on the road.
Marcus
One thing I would leave alone, apart from some hide food, is the interior and dashboard.
I regret not catching some areas of damage or corrosion early on H5 as this has resulted in far more work being needed, giving the problem that Lyz is worried about, with the new bits showing up the original bits.
Primary objective must be to keep them on the road.
Marcus
H Type (H5)
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I would vote for "Most Original Car".
I'm 100% with Wallace, use it, repair if something is not working, but leave it as it is as long as possible.
There are enough top restored cars (better than new) everywhere, the world needs some originals.
I'm 100% with Wallace, use it, repair if something is not working, but leave it as it is as long as possible.
There are enough top restored cars (better than new) everywhere, the world needs some originals.
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(sold) C-V8 Mk III 112/2432
541 S 102/1035
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Healey Mk II 1140/14406
(sold)Jensen GT 1610/30257(sold)
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Yes should be driven until it dies and then see if the repairs needed require a major rebuild or just a fix until next time.
Several coats of underseal to save as much of it as possible.
The only problem with using such a car on a regular basis would be that you would constantly get stopped asking what it was and every planned stop would take a lot longer than you intended.
Steve
Several coats of underseal to save as much of it as possible.
The only problem with using such a car on a regular basis would be that you would constantly get stopped asking what it was and every planned stop would take a lot longer than you intended.
Steve
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If I owned it I would probably NOT restore it.
I would make attempts to do things to prevent further deterioration, and replace rubber hoses, gaskets, maintenance items etc.
A car is only original ONCE, so if it is in original condition such as the car is I would be tempted to leave it be. If it were rusted structurally, had many items of disrepair as well as structural problems, or was beyond the ability to be daily drivable without extensive repairs than I would restore for sure.
It's a gorgeous unrestored example IMO.
I would make attempts to do things to prevent further deterioration, and replace rubber hoses, gaskets, maintenance items etc.
A car is only original ONCE, so if it is in original condition such as the car is I would be tempted to leave it be. If it were rusted structurally, had many items of disrepair as well as structural problems, or was beyond the ability to be daily drivable without extensive repairs than I would restore for sure.
It's a gorgeous unrestored example IMO.
1974 Interceptor MKIII
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Repair as needed with some preventative work to make sure it doesn't deteriate too far.
The interior is lovely and I remember speaking to the owner and she does feed the leather so it should last for many more years.
I would be tempted to ensure bumpers were either painted or re-chromed to prevent them rusting right through and other "sensible" things to preserve the car.
I believe it was her uncles before she acquired it in 1968 - family owned from new, wonderful
The interior is lovely and I remember speaking to the owner and she does feed the leather so it should last for many more years.
I would be tempted to ensure bumpers were either painted or re-chromed to prevent them rusting right through and other "sensible" things to preserve the car.
I believe it was her uncles before she acquired it in 1968 - family owned from new, wonderful
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I was lucky enough to slip behind the wheel of this at the International - but only just, as there's not much space for a pot belly! There was probably more interest in this car than any other there. (The vivacious owner probably had some influence on this...).
I advised her against any cosmetic work on the car for the same reasons as the posts above.
It is also extremely fashionable - one look at the magazine shelves in WH Smiths shows a legion of so-called "rat-rods" where function rules over condition, "old-skool" restorations left in original shabby paint, and even custom steel bodywork left completely unpainted - that must require a lot of polishing to keep the rust from taking over!
I advised her against any cosmetic work on the car for the same reasons as the posts above.
It is also extremely fashionable - one look at the magazine shelves in WH Smiths shows a legion of so-called "rat-rods" where function rules over condition, "old-skool" restorations left in original shabby paint, and even custom steel bodywork left completely unpainted - that must require a lot of polishing to keep the rust from taking over!
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Stephen, Epping, Essex
Stephen, Epping, Essex