[ROVERNET - UK] Originality (was Unique P6)

[Robert Thornton]

Many of the Works / Ex Works rally Minis have been re-bodied, some
whilst competing with the  Works Team following major crashes, some
after as part of their restoration (BMC Heritage are now producing
complete classic Mini shells). Doesn't seem to have detracted from their
collectablility or value.

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: rovernet-bounces at lyris.ccdata.com
[mailto:rovernet-bounces at lyris.ccdata.com] On Behalf Of Alan Gale
Sent: Thursday, 2 March 2006 10:46 AM
To: glenwilson at cavtel.net; rovernet at lyris.ccdata.com
Subject: [ROVERNET - UK] Originality (was Unique P6)

Originality is a very vexed issue and is the topic which causes the most
heat in car clubs.
The purists say that unless the car has the same body, chassis and
respective parts with matching numbers as it had when first assembled,
then it is not an original car.  
However it is getting increasingly difficult for me to find 1920s air
for my Crossley's tires.
What happens then in the case of a chassis which began life with a
saloon body in the 20s but is re-bodied with a sports tourer body in the
30s.  is it no longer original or has it become a special?
I understand there are now more bugattis on the road than were produced
by the factory (some restorations have begun with half a gearbox).
What happens when someone takes an original 20s car and gets John
Needham to install a more comfortable close ratio gearbox, making it
much more driveable than the sometimes very awkward 20s ratios?  This is
a modification which could have been performed in the 20s - is it
therefore a special now?  What is the case of the car which has a major
accident in the 20s and gets a new chassis? And what about those
bentleys which are running around with laycock de normanville
overdrives?  Or those rovers which have been converted to gas?
Is my Rover 10 now a special because it has been fitted with hardened
seats and valves to run on unleaded?
The VSCC here in Melbourne adopts the attitude that if the car has a
logn competitive pedigree in its current configuration, or is modified
within the bounds of its original technology, then it is what they deem
a "proper car" 
and eligible to compete in points events.  There are many exciting
vintage specials in this club.
It is deemed a "club car" if modern technolgy is fitted (overdrives,
etc) which give it an unfair advantage over its competitors and is not
counted as a "points car".


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