Value of an original cobra

[DMXF]

Originally Posted by Steve Cassani

Do you see a future for unrestored cars more in terms of there being few of them or as opportunities for restoration to the original condition? I'm asking your thoughts on whether a buyer would pay a premium for a car he would leave alone versus a buyer who sees an opportunity to turn back the years without diverging in any way meaningful to the market for original cars, along the lines of the work done by David Wagner?

The problem I'm struggling to pose to you has to do I suppose with what advocates of originality being preserved for its own sake call 'patina'. Wear and tear is irreplaceable. Does a skillful restoration inevitably lose something in the translation?

Steve - The main problem is that you cannot get a true restoration by just dropping the car off at a shop. I know guys who have been looking for original parts for their cars for decades and, in addition, the time it takes to fix up all the old junk is overly cost prohibitive, time consuming and difficult to do right. The net result is most owners won't pay what it would cost and owners and shops aren't patient enough for the time and effort it would take for a real restoration needed on most cars, so much of the car is replaced with new parts. Therefore, I think it's fair to say most of the core enthusiasts would prefer a car that hasn't been excessively touched. The restored cars I've seen that are by far the best job are ones that the owners had very tight control over every aspect of what was being done and had to end up doing alot themselves.

Some buyers don't care as long as the car looks beautiful and shiny, and there are examples not that original from a cognoscenti standpoint which have brought the highest money in the bling and rapid auction and other environments.