to paint...or not to paint

G

Gil Sissons

Senior Member
Posting this for a good friend.
He has a 1923 T Touring.
Body is pretty good shape. Paint is possibly original.
Has report top and interior... Both of which need to be replaced
And will be soon along with the new Brassworks radiator installed.
He is considering having the body pro painted.
But since paint is POSSIBLY. original he wonders if he should
should leave it alone.
Is there a large increase in value if this were original?
Since top & interior have been redone ?
Input appreciated.
Thanks. Gil. NoCal
 
Tough question? I have got as far as the rear doors with seim flat black the rear
and fenders are origional black. I use it shopping back and forth to Napa cause
its cheap to run rather than my F350 4MPG ! Guess I'm not into trailer queens.
The top was a new boat cover (free) and I learned how to sew thanks to utube vids.
Then theres a guy down the street same car as mine 23 touring with a million dollar
paint job and "he's afraid if a fly lands on it. I don't want to be that guy lol
sam
 

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Being a professional paint and body repairman for over 40 years my 2 cents worth is that every owner will treat the same car differently. You want to keep it original. Whose to say it wasn't painted on 65 years ago? How could you tell now, except by an exacting and careful comparison to a known original? One-half of a restored car is one-half redone and one-half original. One the barrier is crossed the car is considered partially restored, not partially original. A common T touring is the most plentiful old vehicle in the world, and a partially restored example will gain no extra value by having the paint ''original''. If you want it shiney and new-looking get it painted. The guy that owns it next will probably do so. Best of luck, Gary
 
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Chances are it was repainted in the 50's or 60's. Very few cars come through that many years with out a repaint.
(My OP watching what the market is) RE value; prices just are not there to warrant an expensive paint job if looking to sell. A nice presentable driver will bring about the same price as a fresh painted job esp the mid 20's. A good running car with well maintained drive train will do better. I see a number of cars with fresh paint etc but underneath, junk. People buy them thinking they are getting a great deal but end up spending thousands of $ to fix all the problems an still end up with a less then $10,000 car.
 
We very much appreciate the input here.
We have felt with as many of this model that were made there would not
be a large increase in market value. But...did not want to take away from
a car that might have some value as "original". But with the changes to the
top and interior...realize most would not consider the car a "original".
Gil NoCal
 
If you could post a few photos of the top and interior, that would help us give a more informed comment.
 
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