What would you do?

Capt Kirk

Capt Kirk

Well-known member
I hesitated posting this but I'm curious. A little history for those that don't already know. This 35 Cabriolet was my fathers when he was a kid. It was the daily driver after he met my mom and started having us kids. I was pooping green in that car and remember going to church and the supermarket with my mom in that car (I'm 55). It was his pride and joy and he turned down ridiculous offers to buy the car over all those years. I restored the car and it's beautiful.
At some point way back in my dad's history with the car he made some changes to it which I'm sure wasn't uncommon back in the old days. Keep in mind that these changes likely happened in the 40's and 50's.
He took the upper windshield wiper motor out and installed dual cowl wipers that frankly look factory if you didn't know better. He changed the car to juice brakes, he put on Kelsey wheels, a Carson top and changed to a 59 AB engine, 36 bumpers and a banjo steering wheel (which I did change back to original) I restored the car the way I've known it all my life and it does well at our small town shows. Now to the big question.
Do I owe it to my dad to keep it they way he built it back in the old days (the way it is now) or do I owe it to the car to work my way back to getting it the way it rolled off of the assembly line? I promised my dad shortly before he died that I would not sell the car and that it would be handed down to the next responsible person in my family...who has yet to present themselves by the way. I'm suspecting that I'll be getting some adoption requests now. It's not about what the car is worth...irrelevant to me. Just wondering what everybody else would do in this circumstance. Kirk
 
Personally at of respect for my dad I would leave it the way he made it and loved it - and based on your description he done well.
 
As I see it, the only string attached was to not sell it. It was his car then and he did as he pleased with it and now it's your turn.

Lonnie
 
If I was in your situation I'd leave it as is.It can be changed back to original anytime.Whenever you look at the modifications your dad made, they will make you think of him.
 
I would honor your promise to your Dad and enjoy it the way it is. You would need deep pockets to change it back. Consider it a very mild custom car.
 
guess it depends on how you think of the car....memories of you in it with your dad driving??....you helping your dad with the car...etc....etc.....good luck but enjoy the heck out of it....Mike
 
Binx...there's no "strings". He didn't send me the car with any strings. I was the one of us 4 kids that had the talent and ability to take care of his car. I told him shortly before he died that I wouldn't sell it. I didn't want him thinking that he's giving his pride and joy to me just so I could flip it to make some quick cash. I'd never do that. There's no strings...just a respect for my dad and the car.
 
I don't quite get it, guess I'm a bit slo. What is the problem ?LEAVE IT THE WAY YOU RECEIVED IT! If you want to restore one just buy yourself another one. It will be like your dad did it only once.
 
All of the changes you've described make it a far more road-friendly car. Your dad made the changes for good reasons.
 
Not sure why you are questioning what to do .. but all I can suggest is:

- a great authentic car with excellent story
- modest "cool" modifications without disrupting original form and design
- a touching warm family history to preserve as you wish
- excellent drivetrain and brake modifications for reliability and safety
 
I would do what is important to you. If keeping your childhood memories and your dads life alive is important to you,keep the car the way it is.

If scoring points at some show by people you don't know is important to you,restore it.

The choice seems simple to me,but I'm a simple guy.
 
Keep and maintain it as your dad would have liked. No, you don't have any obligation to restore it to completely original as the provenance of the car makes it very special as it is. As the years go by and if no one in your family shows any interest in keeping the car
you can feel free to sell it with a clear conscience to a new owner who really appreciates
its history. I have owned my 40 fifty-two years and have no family who would want it so I know the feeling.
 
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I can only say, I hope MY son loves, respects, and enjoys th memories that we have made and continue to make while turning my 55CV into a period correct hot rod. I want him to enjoy smokin th tires jus as much as I do!! I would vot ta keep it like yer dad built it. Jus me.....
 
Capt Kirk said:
Binx...there's no "strings". He didn't send me the car with any strings. I was the one of us 4 kids that had the talent and ability to take care of his car. I told him shortly before he died that I wouldn't sell it. I didn't want him thinking that he's giving his pride and joy to me just so I could flip it to make some quick cash. I'd never do that. There's no strings...just a respect for my dad and the car.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean to strike a chord with strings....sorry, couldn't help it.:)

Okay, he didn't tie the string and I got that. You did. It is your car or it's your father's car. Do you own it or do you take care of it? Why else would you volunteer to take-on such a responsibility and storage issue unless you wanted it for yourself and as such, you should do with it as you please.

Lonnie
 
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