Customisations and the such - not in the Autoshite spirit ??

[Dick Longbridge]

I always lightly modify my motors. To be fair, this one was already heavily modified when I bought it, running a 2.8VR6 rather than stock 8v four pot lump. It had a 5 stud conversion, ran a mk3 VR6 front subframe and had *cough* banded steels. It attracted praise wherever I parked it. 

I sold it just over five years ago and still regret it. The soundtrack was FANTASTIC. If I ever owned it again, I'd stick a set of more OEM wheels on it, and then just enjoy it.

 

[rickvw72]

It’s only original once.

my take is it’s better to be modded than squashed. Squashed is sadly what happens to nearly all cars, when you think about it. 
 

My house was built in the 20s, I no longer have to piss in a bucket, or use candles. Because it’s been altered/ updated or changed.
Times change, and old stuffs left behind.

I like an original car, but you’ll need brand new to acheive it.

[vaughant]

One thing, probably the only thing, I dislike on this forum is this " don't paint" bollox. 

"patina" is fine if you live in a warm, dry country where that car will survive on for years and not get any worse but looking at some of the stuff on the ebay thread where "do not paint" is titled to me is ridiculous, its a car that's somehow survived all these years probably due to pure luck that now has a chance to be put back on the road properly with decent paint etc and see another 50 years. Without it, I don't they'll see another winter. 

[bunglebus]

Plenty of ways to preserve nicely worn old paint against the elements, some cars need painting but others deserve preservation of their history. 

I know it's a bit overdone in certain circles, but I find original worn paint and old signwriting fascinating. It's a shame when it gets lost under a shiny coat of paint.

For example "The Bitch". Looks like a Texas import but the wear was earned right here in the UK, and a lot of work went into repairing it to make it safe and usuable while preserving the look. It's not for everyone but it works for me.

 

[bunglebus]

Then you've got the company Icon, who produce Derelicts - original paint, modern running gear. Again, floats my boat

 

 

But they also do almost over-restored custom stuff

 

[2MB]

Unless you’re fucking around with the last example of a particular car, there’ll always be a standard one preserved somewhere. Customising/modifying makes things interesting, there’s always something to talk about even if you’re not a fan of what someone has done

[sierraman]

Then again I saw a Mk2 Golf GTI today, an 8 valve, it was standard even down to the steels. It looked bloody fantastic, it was unusual now in that it hasn’t been fucked about with. It did have 3D plates on though and I thought were it mine they’d be in the bin. 

I quite like modified ones where they’ve tried to make it look standard if that makes sense, using the manufacturer parts to create a bit of a ‘what if’ something like an Orion RS turbo but made to look as if it was a factory job. 

[Ghosty]

6 hours ago, colc said:

I got a right slating on here when I rodded my Peugeot wagon...........and in some respects, probably rightly so..........but some old stuff in standard form is so horrible to drive that any mods to make it more usable are surely a good idea......

For the love of God, if you buy that Renault 11, leave it alone.

[Rocket88]

3 minutes ago, Ghosty said:

For the love of God, if you buy that Renault 11, leave it alone.

Have bought..will do !

[Mrcento]

Mods aren't everyone's thing.  Even what is subtle to some would be too far given it's not factory spec. At the end of the day, if you own a car, it's yours to do with as you see fit.

I've owned a few modded cars. My Cinq is modded to such an extent only a few insurers will touch it (always a laugh having to spend 30 minutes on the phone per quote) but i deliberately left it looking a little 'rough'. I never wanted a show car. Fwiw, it's actually toned down from when i bought it.... all i've added is under the skin.

This is it now (well, when it was on the road last)

Vs what it once looked like

Think as with all modded cars, you need to just accept it'll always be a difficult sell when the time comes. Which is partly why mine is currently sat in a lockup in a state if, i'll get around to it, get an mot on and try again someday ?

[St.Jude]

9 hours ago, Mrcento said:

Mods aren't everyone's thing.  Even what is subtle to some would be too far given it's not factory spec. At the end of the day, if you own a car, it's yours to do with as you see fit.

I've owned a few modded cars. My Cinq is modded to such an extent only a few insurers will touch it (always a laugh having to spend 30 minutes on the phone per quote) but i deliberately left it looking a little 'rough'. I never wanted a show car. Fwiw, it's actually toned down from when i bought it.... all i've added is under the skin.

This is it now (well, when it was on the road last)

Vs what it once looked like

Think as with all modded cars, you need to just accept it'll always be a difficult sell when the time comes. Which is partly why mine is currently sat in a lockup in a state if, i'll get around to it, get an mot on and try again someday ?

You didn't even bother painting it yellow and sticking one red door on it. Are you even trying?

[NorfolkNWeigh]

16 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Then you've got the company Icon, who produce Derelicts - original paint, modern running gear. Again, floats my boat

 

 

But they also do almost over-restored custom stuff

 

I love that Cloud and when I found it it’s got an LS7 lump and modern a/c etc , I’ve decided that when my Euromillions comes up I shall get them to build me something similar, oh and a Chinese Eye DHC too.

[Dick Longbridge]

19 hours ago, colc said:

I got a right slating on here when I rodded my Peugeot wagon...........and in some respects, probably rightly so..........but some old stuff in standard form is so horrible to drive that any mods to make it more usable are surely a good idea.......

I'd forgotten about that one. Where's the fred again? I assume you managed to finish it, looking at the photo above? 

[paulplom]

13 hours ago, colc said:

Have bought..will do !

Did they ever do a diesel version. Is there not a bx for sale somewhere you could rob the running gear from?

 

[Rocket88]

35 minutes ago, paulplom said:

Did they ever do a diesel version. Is there not a bx for sale somewhere you could rob the running gear from?

 

Probably....but not something I'd do..........

[iainrcz]

I've "customised" my Jap crap, but it's modernz, so no one wants to see that.

[Rocket88]

1 hour ago, Dick Longbridge said:

I'd forgotten about that one. Where's the fred again? I assume you managed to finish it, looking at the photo above? 

Have a feeling I deleted the thread after much flaming................but "before" and "after". Rushed to get it finished, not the best finish to the bodywork, but it drove well.........sold it on, and has changed colour again, but I can't find a picture in it's new livery.....must admit, it looked better for it..edit...found the bugger.............

[Tadhg Tiogar]

13 hours ago, Mrcento said:

Mods aren't everyone's thing. ...

With the 635, I modified it using almost exclusively parts from BMW's parts bin, so it had

- M635CSi suspension (0.5 degree negative camber)

- E34 M5 "throwing star" alloys

- M-Tech 1 steering wheel.

Aftermarket bits were the LED lights and clear indicator lenses.

The CX, by contrast, is almost impossible to modify as there were very few modification firms catering for the CX. I will probably install LED lighting, but that's about all that can be done. 

[yohan]

Some of the jobs I get in is making parts for rally cars and even some vintage cars when the owner cant get original parts or wants an improvement made. For example I was given a worn out distributer coupling for a Morris Isis which was made out of brass and the owner asked if I could make one out of steel. Those are the jobs that I really enjoy since they are subtle modifications that make things more reliable. 
On the other hand, how dull would the ebay tat thread be or some of the other spotted threads if there wasnt the cars out there with cardboard bodykits that make us smile for the wrong reasons at the morons... sorry owners expense.

[Shite Ron]

Is this what you are thinking of Bfg?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavily-Customized-1955-Austin-Healey-100-100-4-BN1-LHD/303676061020?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3D7075f63cf73943edb7466164583a22be%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D224138742151%26itm%3D303676061020%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV1&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Looks like something out of wacky races ? This is fine with me, but put a back flash or slot mags on a Cortina and I would be more upset.

As many have said, what people think of what you do with your car doesn’t  matter, but when selling originality is best.

For me,  I like my cars to look as they did when they left the factory or what they could of looked like when new, i.e. original options fitted from the year the car was built. I also like modern engine, transmission and brake upgrades. Anything that improves performance, economy or braking is good as long as it is hidden. Modern seats and stereo ‘s really annoy me as they detract from the pleasure of ownership. Each to your own though.

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Bastardisation isn't for me.  

Some of it is downright callous, some of it questionable and some of it perfectly good sense.  But it's not something I've ever deliberately set about in a bid to "improve" a car by commonly accepted logic.  In fact my MK2 Focus (on long term loan with MIL) has received an OEM- campaign, being downgraded by 1" on the wheels and relegated to steels and trims.  

What I find very frustrating is when a seller will misrepresent their interference as an upgrade.  Take the Mercedes w201 - one of the most beautifully poised and best handling cars of the 80s.  People chop the springs all the time and think they've made it better.  "Yes mate.  That's right. MB spent 2 years working on 5 link independent rear suspension, almost completely devoid of oversteer/understeer characteristics, but you know better.  Naturally."

I like nothing more than a car that's just been allowed to be itself.  Ageing gracefully without meddling or intrusion. 

This - from Twitter last week - is the perfect example of that, and what I (personally) think the AS ethos is about.   YMMV.

 

[HMC]

3 hours ago, Tadhg Tiogar said:

With the 635, I modified it using almost exclusively parts from BMW's parts bin, so it had

- M635CSi suspension (0.5 degree negative camber)

- E34 M5 "throwing star" alloys

- M-Tech 1 steering wheel.

Aftermarket bits were the LED lights and clear indicator lenses.

The CX, by contrast, is almost impossible to modify as there were very few modification firms catering for the CX. I will probably install LED lighting, but that's about all that can be done. 

I hope I’m not getting muddled but I think that’s “OEM+” I like stuff like that.

[bunglebus]

I have a friend like that. He will track down every option available and fit them, but only OEM stuff. His MK3 Escort cab ended up with an electric hood off a MK4 and heated seats using pads from a Granada. Top spec Ford audio in it too.

Mind you he also turbo'd the original 1.6, exterior was stock down to the clover leaf wheels. Had some lowering springs and an RS Turbo or RS1600I front crossmember

[Mrcento]

9 hours ago, sgtberbatov said:

You didn't even bother painting it yellow and sticking one red door on it. Are you even trying?

No, but true story, i had a guy make an offer to buy a red door off me. Cash plus a yellow replacement. So i could have had an inverted one

[PhilA]

Mods yes.. but mods that are timeless keep better. How many wildly modified vehicles from the 70's CC era are left? Just a pile of carefully molded filler and fibreglass sections and some window glass, probably, sitting next to a stack of Wolfrace wheels with ancient BF Goodrich rubber on.

Ageless mods seem to stand the test of time better because they either don't rust so badly underneath and after ten years you aren't embarrassed to be driving around in it. See: 1930's cars with bright red paint, billet wheels, billet dash, billet everything, bright white tuck-n-roll etc. If the car describes the era in which it was modified then it's only ever going to be niche once the fad dies.

Flip side is an example like my Pontiac.

At face value, at a glance, it doesn't look too far off being stock. The wheels are the standard items, way down deep in the arches, it's baby blue, nothing particularly special that screams Barrett Jackson or Pimp My Ride(!) but I'm all for subtle changes that accentuates the original design where the original design looks right. More to the point where people stop and can't quite figure out what's different and make a statement that they didn't know the particular model of car you're driving was a factory option.. that's the kind of mods I like.

--Phil

 

[Timewaster]

4 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Bastardisation isn't for me. 

This - from Twitter last week - is the perfect example of that, and what I (personally) think the AS ethos is about.   YMMV.

 

Pendant mode. Lovely unmolested car.... Awful number plates! 

[Parky]

Personally anything subtle is good. Putting a Twinair engine in an MG Midget would be a hoot, whereas a Lexus V8 and body kit would be excessive.  For me that is.  Everyone has different preferences but I see no problem with modification.  With electric power trains trickling onto the second hand market I suspect a lot of older cars will find their original ICE units getting crated up in the garage while some ex Toyota or Nissan kit takes pride of place under the bonnet of their MG or Spitfire.  Bring it!

[yohan]

1 hour ago, Parky said:

Personally anything subtle is good. Putting a Twinair engine in an MG Midget would be a hoot, whereas a Lexus V8 and body kit would be excessive.  For me that is.  Everyone has different preferences but I see no problem with modification.  With electric power trains trickling onto the second hand market I suspect a lot of older cars will find their original ICE units getting crated up in the garage while some ex Toyota or Nissan kit takes pride of place under the bonnet of their MG or Spitfire.  Bring it!

That might not be a bad thing to electrify a classic thats used daily when all the petrol stations get phased out...

[Bfg]

On 9/9/2020 at 2:50 PM, Shite Ron said:

Is this what you are thinking of Bfg?

No (below) is the car I was looking at.. Just heard today of a decent shipping quote and so contacted the seller to see if we might proceed. 

Other shipping quotes I'm still waiting for but they were all delayed by Labour Day Holidays over there.  Today someone else dropped by and made the seller an offer which was accepted.   I get second place again !

 

 

 

 

[eddyramrod]

On 9/9/2020 at 10:38 PM, Timewaster said:

Pendant mode. Lovely unmolested car.... Awful number plates! 

[/Pedant mode] I think you mean Pedant? {/Pedant mode off]

 

 

Actually Pedant mode never truly switches off!