Anthony's Original 427 S/C "Survivor"

[Nedsel]

I'd be interested in getting opinions on this: if a car has been repainted, hasn't it been (at least partially) restored? To me, an unrestored car is just that: it's got everything on it as it left the factory, including the factory paint. 3047 was repainted, and years later various blades were used to remove the repaint and reveal the scuffed but original gold, except for those places where the blue repaint would not come off and where there was some body filler, such as around the oil scoop. What are your thoughts - is this an "unrestored" car?

[marcocsx3121]

I wonder whether this is the gold SC that Carter Gette had at his Ford dealership in Milbrook, NY in the early 70s. I met Carter through the strange couple who actually owned that car and had advertised it for sale in Autoweek in 1971. But that's a whole 'nother story.

Any help Ned?

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

I'd be interested in getting opinions on this: if a car has been repainted, hasn't it been (at least partially) restored? To me, an unrestored car is just that: it's got everything on it as it left the factory, including the factory paint. 3047 was repainted, and years later various blades were used to remove the repaint and reveal the scuffed but original gold, except for those places where the blue repaint would not come off and where there was some body filler, such as around the oil scoop. What are your thoughts - is this an "unrestored" car?

IMHO, it is unrestored and simply has more patina.
I parked my Cobra right next to Anthony's #5 red SC at Fabulous Fords a few years ago. Trust me, he leaves everything as original as possible and drives them everywhere! A great guy and true to the legacy.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

I'd be interested in getting opinions on this: if a car has been repainted, hasn't it been (at least partially) restored? To me, an unrestored car is just that: it's got everything on it as it left the factory, including the factory paint. 3047 was repainted, and years later various blades were used to remove the repaint and reveal the scuffed but original gold, except for those places where the blue repaint would not come off and where there was some body filler, such as around the oil scoop. What are your thoughts - is this an "unrestored" car?

Methinks it's a "derestored" car.

[1985 CCX]

The original valve covers are sand cast chosen at dealer.
I have the original ones via Jack L.
So 47 has repop covers of the correct ones.

Also the bumper in the Carter picture is hanging in the garage.

Remember these cars are all a bit different especially when it came to owners taste. This car also had black shag carpet at one point and FIA wheels.
The white stripes were added by Jack and Paula in the day via a shaker can.
Can't make this stuff up. Lol. Jack also hated the FIA wheel so off they came and halibrands added.

Believe it or not this car had the cast covers, they were later drilled for the larger breathers. Yuck, but so.
Jack was not a fan so off they came.
BTW when this car was in MD it was driven heavily. Don did not let it sit in the garage for all those years. Was parked when it threw a rod.
Right, replacement block......

My vote would be to gracefully sand back the blue and hit it with light coat of gold. I get the patina but after Steve plucked off the blue it split the paint anyway. Technically it has been repainted once already.

[1985 CCX]

Covers removed by Jack in 74?
I have only related what Jack told me.

[DMXF]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

The original valve covers are sand cast chosen at dealer.
I have the original ones via Jack L.
So 47 has repop covers of the correct ones.

I don't think it's worth arguing about whether the car is restored or not (most "restorations" are more parts replacement anyway), as the facts are clear. But I do have some comments/opinions about aspects like the valve covers being considered original. Just going back to the early 70's to determine what SC car engine configuration is original often won't tell you a lot. Many of the cars were modified soon after delivery or experienced blown engines, at which point many things were changed. 3047, as an example, is documented in the registry as having the engine replaced by 1970 as well as some other mods. Those valve covers were made for the Cobras for Shelby American, so it is possible the car could have left the factory with them, but Jeff you already state they were put on by a dealer. I don't recall ever seeing hard evidence of even one other SC car that was fitted with them as it left SA, so that scenario would seem to be an anomaly. As with other claims of as delivered details on many old cars, more substantial evidence is generally required to refer to an attribute as being the way the car left the factory. In this case the sand cast valve covers are a neat period factory (in that respect original) optional part, but referring to them as correct is a bit of a stretch.