Reproduction vs old stock

[HARLEYJOE]

I just wonder in eyes of purist or judging Model A's using reproduction
parts does that take away when cars/trucks are being showed.
With original parts declining and more cars becoming hot rods to salvage
what is left of a vehicle and get use out of it.
Are their certain reproduction manufactures that are looked upon that are
producing true to Ford Parts that meet original standards.

I was looking at "A" truck here in Nj and it had reproduction Bed and started me thinking what is accepted with these cars being 80 plus years old.
The same guy had "barn find" and did not say anything about truck having fiberglas fenders on it until I looked and felt them.
And he mentioned he did not notice until he brought truck home.

Would like to hear what you think..Thanks Joe

 

[Keith True]

I was thinking the same thing about glass fenders.Those are on cars that had them installed 40-50 years ago now.I bought a 29 coupe with one glass rear fender,it had been parked in the barn in the late 60's.As far as a repro bed goes,for points,a judge can tell them 10 feet away.As a user and a local show truck,they are built very well,and are the cheapest way to come up with a nice bed.It doesn't take too many dingles in an old bed to eat up $1500.worth of bodywork time.I have a pretty nice bed that was taken off a truck by a body shop.It has a bunch of extra holes from hooks and cleats.A few dents,but no rust and a dozen small dents.No dents bigger than a quarter.The body guy felt it was going to take nearly 20 hours to make it right.At $75.per hour it was not cost effective.He and the owner talked it over and the owner made a 35 mile trip and picked up a new bed for less than $1500.

 

[Kevin in NJ]

All the repro parts have slight differences and a good judge can catch them. A good restorer can hide many of the differences.

The effect on value is dependent what you are trying to sell. If you are selling a nice driver that is not intended for points then there is no issue. If you are selling a high point show car then there may be levels of expectation. You could be liable for fraud is you fail to revel that certain parts are not original, but that is dependent on what you are trying to tell someone.

NOS parts are wonderful, but expensive and in some case not obtainable. From a proper mechanical restoration many parts are essential to buy in NOS or the quality repro that are available. In some cases, the repro parts are a very poor choice and my cause you more grief then a ratty original part.

For the most part if the car/ truck looks nice and makes you happy then who cares if the part is repro if it gets you on the road safely.