One year ago at Mecum Chicago I saw what was marketed as a survivor 70 QQ GSX. It brought 65-70K to my recollection. It may have been the most unique Buick I'll ever see in person. However, I am convinced bidders do not want dents, dings, and rust of any kind as evidenced by the selling price of this original. That same auction listed a "barn find" Hemi Charger with a significant hit in its quarter panel. It was rough. It sold for similar money.
If you're asking about auction sales then yes , most buyers prefer restored cars . A lot of those buyers aren't that knowledgable , came into money ect . So not a great barometer. However , if you look at sales of say a L88 corvette something that rare an original car will out sell it . unrestored cars that have badly pitted brightwork . Winged and dinged , visible rust . Should not be characterized as a " survivor " what did they survive ? That's where unrestored / survivor tags should be differentiated . I like 'em all . Hard to beat a 25k mile original paint California car though . DL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am always skeptical of the claim "Barn find" as already mentioned there must be a lot of barns still out there, some right in the middle of town. As far as "Survivor labels" as hard as some people try to spin it, any car that is still here is a survivor or it wouldn't be here. Regardless of how many paint jobs or overhauls, whatever if it is still here it is a survivor. To me an original is just that, original, other than normal maintenance or repairs to keep it operable it should be untouched. IMHO Bob H.
As an owner of what guys call a " survivor " I can only say that what mine has "survived " is all the stupid crap that could have happened to it. Including everything that I could have done to it instead of leaving it the way it is. As far as value I agree that mine will never garner the kind of money a restored X can bring. It's nice, but just not pretty enough. It also seems to be very misunderstood at regular car shows and does not win anything. But that's ok, I like it the way it is. I also feel the two terms have lost a bit of what they used to imply. But still fun nun the less if the car is real. Just my take. Bill.
My Model T is 89 years old. It has been repainted, but not restored. As far as I know,it never spent 20 years in a barn. Is a paint job every 75 years or so considered to be outside of normal maintenance? IMHO no. It also has had upholstery work (including some during my ownership). Is it better to ride on the bare seat springs? I believe that an automobile should be used as an automobile - if I could afford an SJ Duesenberg, I would still drive it. What is "normal maintenance"?
As with anything, condition is paramount. John's old Model T is a driver, and 100 years on it's still being used. Then, there's the same model in a museum, never used, last licensed in the 1930s, that's still wearing the original paint and has never been pulled apart. Which is nicer? Cosmetically? Possibly the museum piece, never having seen John's car. Practically? John's car because you can touch it, ride in it, and he's not afraid to use it. Is it "original"? No, but it probably wasn't when he got it. Does it look it? Yes...so what's the big deal? I would say John's driver is worth more because it works, and he can just about warranty it. The original might need a restoration before it can move again. Cars can "survive" and be original, but, are they usable? My take on the whole thing is that for a car to be a good buy in original condition it has to look good, function as it's supposed to and only had routine maintenance such as oil changes and tune ups. There also has to be an expectation of being able to continue the preservation otherwise it's a moot point. If it's a guano encrusted wreck with parts missing or whatever, then it's still a wreck, regardless of originality or not because in it's current form it can't be used as a car. It's furniture until a guy does rebuild it, so who cares then if it is original?
One thing to consider is that the less-expensive old cars went through the depression. Most were serviced with whatever parts could be found used and cheap - think the Cuban American cars of the '50s. It is actually pretty rare to find a totally original Model T. Serial numbers were not stamped on Model T frames until the mid-20's. Engine numbers can be checked; a huge percentage of T's have engines that were not manufactured in the same year as the rest of the car. As it happens, My '27 T has numbers on the frame and the engine. They match! I don't know the history of my T for sure, but it is possible that I am only the third owner, and that the first owner's family had the car for at least 75 years. It lived on an Island off the coast of Massachusetts, and may be the lowest mileage continuously driven model T in existence. I had the head off to check a (lack of) cooling issue; there was absolutely no ridge at the top of the cylinders and no evidence of freshly machined/honed surfaces. The pistons are standard bore. I don't think the engine has ever been apart.
This question cannot be answered easily. A piece of crap barn find is not worth as much as a complete, low mile un-molested original, well maintained car that has been sitting for the same amount of time. The difference between an un-molested barn find and a fully restored car of same make/model/year is that the restored car no longer has the DNA it once had from the factory. Routing of wires, connectors, proper insulation, non-Chinese parts etc. I'll take an original any day. Is it worth more than a restored one? Again, can't be answered yes or no. A restored 304cuin AMC Rebel will probably be worth more than a barn find but will a restored 427 Galaxie be worth more than a 20K mile barn find?
A true barn find was on "chasing classic cars" on velocity the other night. a 66 Shelby gt 350 mustang stored for 40 years, with all its rusty bumpers, rust on roof and bottom side... totally original... sold at auction, with rust, for $140,000...
I wonder how much will it cost to restore, if that's their intent? And, if it will even be worth the total cost including what was paid for the car?
