It’s the untouched factory-assembled construction details that makes an old car an authentic original, not a restored original – there’s a big difference
By Richard Lentinello
The owner of this 1956 Corvette deeply appreciates the car’s originality by being committed to keeping it just as the Chevrolet factory built it, and that includes preserving what’s left of the factory-applied paint and even the worn carpeting, as this will be used as a template for future restorers to see firsthand how the carpet was bound and stitched together for a truly authentic look to their Corvette restorations. Now that’s original!
For some unexplained reason there seems to be some real confusion to many people in the collector-car hobby as to what makes an original car original.
Webster’s definition of the word original is, “An authentic work of art, literature, or the like, as distinguished from a copy or reproduction.”
The key word there, of course, is authentic, which in and of itself means, “Having an undisputed origin; genuine.”
Yet the definition of the word genuine sums it up best, “Actually possessing or produced by the alleged or apparent attribute, character, or source; not artificial.”
The word artificial means, “Made in imitation of something natural.”
Now that we have a clear understanding of the meaning of the word original and its associated terminology, let’s apply it to old cars.
This 1972 Volvo 144 has never been restored and is still in the care of its original owner. All the paint, trim, upholstery, and carpeting are original, and it has been stored indoors since it was first purchased. It now resides in the basement of the owners’ house for safekeeping.
First and foremost, an original car is a vehicle that has been kept exactly the way it was when first built by its manufacturer – we’re not comparing its condition, only its state of originality. An original car, regardless of its age, make, model or country of origin, still wears all of the same parts that the factory workers bolted on to it when it rolled along the assembly line during its manufacture. This also implies that it still wears the paint that the factory painters applied to its body; it still wears the upholstery, carpet, headliner and convertible top that the factory upholsterers stitched for it; it still wears its original chrome trim that the platers dipped in the vats of chromium; it still wears all of its original mechanical parts including engine, transmission, differential, suspension, brakes and electrical. That’s original.
And if a car is to be labeled “100% Original” then by all means it should be 100% original, and that includes having the original tires and spare, the original spark plugs and ignition wires, the original generator or alternator, the original water pump and starter motor, the original wiper blades and wiper arms, and the original exhaust system. All the wearing items that get discarded during routine maintenance should be on the car for it to be legitimately labeled a “100% Original.” About the only components that original fanatics will agree to close their eyes to are the brake shoes/pads and non-original batteries as it’s kind of hard to keep a battery alive for more than 10 years. Oh, and tires, too, but that’s about it.
One of the absolute best examples of an original car is this 1953 Studebaker Commander Regal Starliner coupe that’s been driven a mere 3,000 miles since it was first built. Everything about it is original to the car, including the trunk mat and even the spare tire, which had never been used. The overspray on the valve cover is how the engine was assembled; it’s these kind of assembly details that make unrestored cars so special and so important for restorers to see.
Sadly, all too often we are told about cars that are “all original” only to discover that they have been completely restored, partially restored or, in extreme cases, even modified. Thus, the need for this clarification.
If a car has been completely restored to its factory-correct specifications using all of its original parts, that car is not original. It’s a Restored Original.
If a car is unrestored apart from only a fresh coat of paint, that car is not original. It’s a Repainted Original.
If a car is unrestored, but it’s wearing aftermarket wheels, has glued-on body side moldings and the windows are tinted, that car is not original. It’s a Customized Original. Although, some people will argue that using the words Customized and Original together doesn’t make sense as their meanings are polar opposite of each other. And in most cases, it doesn’t make sense. But there are so many variables and levels of customization that it’s hard to pinpoint an exact meaning.
The current owner of this 1937 Hudson Eight is the son of the car’s first owner. Nearly all of the exterior paint was applied by the Hudson workers and here we can see areas of the red primer showing through the black paint that has worn away. The interior door panels remain as installed; minor tears in the upholstery does not warrant replacement because original fabric in this good of shape is a rare feature found on cars that are nearly 90 years old.
Point is, as soon as any one part is replaced, repainted or replated, a car’s originality becomes compromised. There are all different levels of originality, and one is not any less desirable than the other.
We must also realize that in many cases a car must undergo either a thorough restoration or some sought of restorative work if that car has any chance of surviving. Not every car can remain original, as the dreaded corrosive actions of rust will eventually terminate its usefulness. At what point a car should be restored will be a topic we will discuss in another post.
Being a low-cost compact car when new meant that few Gremlins were so well preserved as this 1971 model was. The paint drips in the door jambs are a clear snapshot as to the Gremlin’s build quality and shows exactly how AMC painted their cars. Decals from the car’s dealership where it was first sold adds to the car’s originality, and provenance.