Modified or original?
03/09/2021
If you want to enter your car in a Concours d'Elégance, originality is probably your top priority.
But what if it's all about driving pleasure and usability? Is a completely original vehicle really more fun to drive? Does the exhaust system have to comply with the original specifications or is a stainless steel exhaust, which may be cheaper in the long term, also okay? What about additional displays for better monitoring of the technology or how about a (hidden) USB port to charge the cell phone? Sun cloth instead of plastic for the soft top, leather instead of artificial leather or hard-to-find replacement fabric for the seats? Roller belts instead of static belts? A programmable, electronic ignition? Aluminum rims instead of steel wheels? An alternator instead of an alternator? Slightly larger/wider tires, because the original specified ones look very puny?
Many modifications to the car serve to improve drivability, increase safety or reduce running costs in the medium term. If you have the car primarily for driving, you are probably even better off with it. And we all want to enjoy driving ...
Ultimately, however, the car naturally belongs to the owner and he can do whatever he wants with it. But if he also sees himself as a bit of a custodian of cultural assets, then he will at least put replaced original parts to one side, because a future owner might want to restore it to its original condition ...
