What is your opinion on old generations classic cars being kept alive by rebuilding them? Do you feel that this lost commitment is falling through the the cracks as younger kids have other things to do, mom and dad buy them more fuel efficient and safer cars and the 30-40 year old's are working long house and don't find the time with family, sports, work, sleep, house work, yard work, it's easy to run out of time in most any of your days off. So, is the classic cars going to fall to the weigh-side? Or will we always have a group step up and do the honors to the collectible cars by rebuilding them?

I think it's safe to say that we'd all wish that everyone would take their time and rebuild the classic's slow and methodically so that it is true and accurate. However, as a collectible community, we've been adding younger and younger kids to the restoration process. It becomes a dad-son thing or a mom-daughter thing. The kids tend to bring some modern ideas that often fit very well during the rebuild process. Modifications are what make the car, stand out and be one of one", says 15 yr old Jessie as he hands a wrench to his father. Jessie's dad wanted to keep the car original. However, it was supposed to be a joint project that they would spend countless hours and months on together. In doing so, it would be ridiculous not to listen and consider some of Jessie's ideas. No, it may not be an old fashioned classic but it can retain 90% of it's majesty and we can add small improvements such as honing of the motor or after market wires, or an after market carb or a swapped modern cam, etc. Or how about adding accented lights inside the car, or under the car? Or maybe an after market stereo system. Those are the most common things that are considered when restoring a beautiful vehicle from our history.

Personally, I have restored more than one and am currently on yet another one as time permits. I constantly have to hold up the original and then view the view of the replacement. Sometimes, implementing things requires new or additional covers to hide lighting in car or under car. I prefer hiding everything so that nothing is visible at all until I hit the night light and the entire car glows for the car show. I am in the process of rebuilding my motor now and although i've decided to keep the original block, i'm going to hone and mill the original motor to where it is safe yet can boast approximately 400 - 500 hp. I am setting at approximately 235. So, that is about a 56% increase.

So, what is your take on this restore process. Is it sensible to rebuild a car identical to the way it was released 20-30-40 or more years ago? Or should you add your own unique charms? Personally, if you're going to keep the car without a doubt about selling it, then it's most smart to do whatever you want to it. However, if you plan to keep it all original so that you can later sell it, then you want to remain with all original so that the next buyer starts from the factory build sheets.

What's your decision? Even if you don't have a car right now to rebuild or restore, you can chime into this discussion and give us your reasons of why or why not.

Learn more about this author, Mick Phipps.
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