20-10-2021, 04:43 PM
(20-10-2021, 03:20 PM)Hedd_Jones Wrote: With hindsight there have been many poor decisions made in the restoration of historic cars.
I'm not talking about what went on when the cars were still being used as 'current' cars in period, but subsequently once the historic nature of the cars was understood.
I had understood that the number of 'real' sports with continuous known history could be counted on one hand, and were well known and thus the most valuable. Whearas there are many others with some degree of pedigree, but the right parts, or a good many of the right parts. Some more with some right parts and some or no pedigree, then out and out replicas of varying quality.
Value Highest to lowest in the same Order.
What im really saying is the high end ulster game is not that different to what the Bugatti mob were up to. Some 'Ulsters' are pretty pukka, they are what they are no argument. Some are 'built' from a pukka engine. some from a 'pukka' chassis, Some from a pukka body. Some have more pukka bits than others. No doubt some builders have even been to look at what ledgers there are, or studied the chassis register and took a view what number to stamp on the chassis, or what might be a likely reg number (OF seems popular).
I guess the dogs danglies is a blown engine like Tonys, a replica blown engine like Charles has and is building probably 2nd followed by the genuine unblown versions etc. I guess all for discussion.
If your in the market you need to take a view and pay what you think. If your not (like me), its all hot air.
What is clear however is that generally, that less notice is being taken of fact and originality. Go to Goodwood, and while there are real cars with very real history. Most of the ERA's for example with continuous racing history. But on the other hand there are a lot of vehicles with made up and known false histories presented as something they are not. Even in VSCC circles there seems to be a fad now to build some sort of aero engined monster, find and engine, an obscure foreign radiator (with badge), then put that on the front of what amounts to a small truck chassis and bingo. ''Its a 1915 Giraffe Special''. Cough cough (Bullshit).
(20-10-2021, 04:10 PM)Ivor Hawkins Wrote: Hedd, I’m in full agreement with everything you have said.
At various historic events these days, I spend most of the time trying to find genuine cars...try and find a nicely patinated Riley Falcon these days...it seems most have been turned into race replicas or sports specials...or in my view, hot rods.
This particular Ulster/special has a few nice bits though and as Tony points out demand will crank up the price, particularly amongst those who really don’t care about automotive history.
100% accurate assessment