Your thoughts on "updating" classic or vintage car

[Sir_GT]

It was a topic covered in one of the recent episodes of Top Gear. JC raved about the Jaguar E-type which had a modern engine/suspension/etc. underneath it.

By the same token, the first episode of Pimp My Ride UK premiered two weeks ago, and the first car they did was a classic Morris Minor... which they "updated" into pretty much show car-level... but with modern additions, which would include the typical PmR gadgets.

For the record, the "pimping" team of PmR UK blows away West Coast Customs. Whoever they got for the UK show basically underlined how tasteless and overrated WCC are when it comes to modding cars.
(You can check mtv.co.uk, scroll down, and then click the link to pimp my ride UK... fiddle around with the microsite... they show the cars they've covered, and then some detailed photos of the mods they've done to them)


I mean... would you update a classic/vintage car in which a large percentage of parts are no longer the originals? if so, how far would you go? Just engine/suspension bits? or would you throw in everything, such as SatNav and heated seats?

Discuss.

[oantob]

IMO it depends on what type of vintage car I have, if it was a muscle car like a 1966 Pontiac GTO, I would just update or modified the engine and maybe change the rims with chrome 19" with classic look and lower the car a bit. And respray with new metallic paint..
But if the car is a Jaguar E-type, I won't make any changes with the car, just make it as original as it was..

[sads]

It all depends on the level of customisation they do. Things like upgradding brakes (obviously a no brainer) I have no dramas with, but chaning complete engines over from stock to moddern day motors thats when I say they leave the classic class and become custom

[bmwmpower]

nice idea, brakes, suspension, but not interior ,also engine, or replace engine with new generation, but not very diferent,
old first generation Range Rover with new engine 4,4 V8 from RR sport,
new brakes, wheels, suspension

[FoxFour]

Here in the states it's called "resto-mod" I have always been a big fan of resto-modding, many years before there was even a word for it.

[Sir_GT]

Fox... who is that fine asian lass on your sig?

[pharzo]

Fox... who is that fine asian lass on your sig?

I get a lot of PM's about where I got that image. I got it from another forum somewhere but I don't know who that girl is.

Ahh, the magic of search :lol: :wink:

[sameerrao]

I think it is a crime to mod a truly classic car such as Ferrari 250 GTO, 250 TR...

Such cars should be restored to the original specs but go no further. Modifications for such cars really ruins the value of the car. Perhaps the only thing you could change is get a little more modern tires - dont want to roll on 40 year old tires :)

Lesser classics you can modify within reason - functional aspects are OK but sat nav nd other such junk is OTT!

[TransAm]

I think it is a crime to mod a truly classic car such as Ferrari 250 GTO, 250 TR...

Such cars should be restored to the original specs but go no further. Modifications for such cars really ruins the value of the car. Perhaps the only thing you could change is get a little more modern tires - dont want to roll on 40 year old tires :)

Lesser classics you can modify within reason - functional aspects are OK but sat nav nd other such junk is OTT!

I tend to agree with this, but I have always admired sleeper cars, much like the VW Golf jon_s posted with the Audi S3 engine. The Austin Mini with the Honda VTEC motor was another fine modification IMHO.

There's something about surprising car drivers in their stock 'hot hatches' that I really like...

Sat Nav is a reasonable upgrade if you drive a lot for your job, but then most people have a reliable, comfy, recent-model car for this purpose!

As for the fruit juice makers and 23" TV screens, leave them in the house where they belong.

While I aim pointing blows at Pimp My Ride, I don't think any car needs more than a few hundred watts of stereo system either. Sit in a top of the line motor with a good system like a Becker or Nakamichi and you'll see what I mean.

[irrational_i]

I have owned several classic cars.
I do not like modifications in any way. I opted to maintain the outdated parts, rather than replace with newer ones. It was very expensive though.
I have always bought the best available tyres though.

I think it depends what the car is for. Certain classics have a "show" value. As collectibles they should be pristine - even down to the tyres. Luckily a lot of oldtimers ran on Michelins and Michelin still make those old tyres in batches. They are a bit expensive though.

Since I drive my car every day I would merely consider modding brakes and sometimes things like radiators which where not adequate for our hot South African climate. When restoring I may also consider an interior upgrade.

Old engines are fine as they are. Gearboxes you live with!
My 1980 Porsche SC has K-jetronic fuel injection. This means it does not idle smoothly at start and fuel consumption can be better - as well as power delivery. If I want better I will just buy a newer Porsche.
This is not always possible for all makes. Like 1950's BMW 507 for instance. Not great brakes and underpowered V8. But it should be kept like that.

A golden rule! Whenever you do a modern upgrade - you should keep the original parts! I think in the end I will not do "visible" upgrades. But I am willing to do sensible replacement upgrades. (Like putting later Carrera Chain Tensioners on my SC.)

I also think often enough instead of upgrading your classic, you may be able to get a special version for a premium.

Example - rather than upgrade:
1970's BMW 3.0 Csl. You get a Batmobile or an Alpina. They have the upgrades and they are authentic period upgrades.
Ferrari 275GTB - get the 4-cam.
Miura P400 - get the SV.

[Sir_GT]

i think it depends on the rarity. if the car is extremely rare then it should definately be completely stock. if the car is not that rare like say an american muscle car then the customizatoin and mosernizatoin is not a big deal imo. but if someone were to put satnav and heated seats in a ferrari GTO i would find them and kill them.

I agree with this as well, but then I got stuck when I considered a De Tomaso Pantera and/or a Maserati Bora. Keep in mind that the Bora in particular was made at the time Maserati was owned by Citroen. So it had lots of (crappy) Citroen parts. Now would you replace these parts with new modern ones, and throw in a few modern luxuries such as heated seats, Sat Nav, etc. or would you just "restore" it to its original state?