CSX3051 History

[Excaliber]

An interesting discussion from both sides of the fence on the original parts question.

I do admire those that seek to build a replica to more exacting standards than is common today. The replica market is more and more moving towards a 'who cares, it's a replica' attitude. Well, I care, as do a handful of others. I gotta admit, I'd be pretty thrilled to have a few original pieces on my replica, and at the same time, would like to see those parts returned to the original car.

...it's a tough call all right! I think richsd has a good handle on it.

[Cracker]

I agree with Richsd. Enjoy your Kirkham with a splattering of original parts. I could be wrong but the "original" market too has benefited for the replica boom over the last twenty years. They could be much worse off without them than with them - repect and appreciate the replica market.

As a personal preference I like newer and better performing components than the old heavy do-dads - but that's me.

[427sharpe]

I'm with ASnake. If the owner showed, I'd trade him the oe parts for replacements of my choosing, freight on him. I think if you love the cars you should respect the originals. Does a replica having an original trunk latch, seat or windshield mean as much to you as it would to the original????? I owned 3 perfect HiPo 289's and they NEVER saw the inside of a replica Cobra or GT350, but one I sold for what I paid for it (and a heck of a lot less than market value) so a 1965 GT350 owner could 'restify' his car with a correct motor. Makes me happy every time I see the car here in town.

[richsd]

I completely agree on the trunk latch. Anything with a CSX number stamped into it should be sold back to the owner of the original car without questions. With other parts, I think this is a great landing place for these parts too but the current owner just needs to compete on price like anyone else. They don't get a pass to avoid competing for the parts just because they own the current car.

[Murphy]

Let's face it, how many original parts out of cobras and other muscle cars were simply tossed into the trash or put into the rafters never to be seen again when cars were converted/restored/modified over the years because no one cared about originality?

I like what richsd did to his car, tastefully done with a clear goal of what he wanted when he started. If some tasty parts were used so be it, at least those parts still exist. If the owner of the original car want's them he can talk to richsd.