Each to their own with their cars, but I agree with George, special cars need to be looked after and 'used' a little. Cars like the '49 can be preserved incredibly well with a little care and attention, but leaving it untouched will do it no favours.
Rich Oakley wrote:
Split Window VWs with original paint are extremely rare and vanishing fast, with ovals and early rectangular windows close behind.
Messing around with the '49 begins the path of repainting, re chroming and everything else that will put it into the bracket of the many shiny restored cars.
I consider things as rare as the '49 are best left alone. The finish of the '49 has aged over the past 25 years I've owned it, it looks like an undiscovered jewell, and that's how I like it. If I can hold its originality for the next 20 yearsβ¦
A repaint would actually reduce its value, it would be just another repainted vintage VW of which there will always be a good selection at VW shows, plus numbers will increase as similar cars are found and restored. The paint has marks, flaws, patches and what have you β BUT, much nicer than a repaint which will develop its own flaws anyway. Nothing looks worse than newish paint with bubbles, marks or flakes.
'50 Karmann does have a valid point though, and in fact I have recently cleaned the '49s exterior, brushing all the 20 year's + dust and dirt off with a soft brush then gently wiping it down with a damp rain-water soaked leather, to reveal an astonishing patina that has developed β
WOW, what an eye popper :shock:
John, how about a special treat for us and yourself? Maybe bring the '49 or '47 out to a show this year? I'll pop up and help you out getting them ready if needed.
Rich Oakley wrote:
Well, Rich I could never let the '49 onto the public highway. If it gets side-swiped by some fool in a modern buzz-box, repairs would render the '49 no longer all original, and how would I match the 60+ year old well-matured paint. The '47 is rather short of an MOT pass.
Rattletrap's my ideal car for shows β he's famous, a less original Beetle, probably on his 3rd set of wings β so no loss should one of them gets bent, its just on with another replacement. Extra miles on
Rattletrap will actually increase his value, the reverse effect of that on the '49 :wink:
Edited by user
14 years ago
|
Reason: Not specified
Rattletrap β the Volkswagen Beetle that has covered an incredible mileage equivalent to over 35 times around the planet :omg:
Running nifty since 1950β¦ the King of Volkswagens:beer: Why not make friends with this famous little VW β he's on facebook! :d
http://forums.pre67vw.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=16378