MGB & GT Forum

This has been mentioned in ads a couple of times: "sympathetic restoration". The latest looks like they did a pretty comprehensive job on the car, but what does that mean??

I googled it, but still don't know

http://cprclassic.com/sympathetic.html

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Gary

GMsMG

And this from Hemmings


Somewhere between fully restored and all-original is the sympathetic restoration, usually implemented to preserve as much of a car’s originality as possible, while preventing it from damage and deterioration. The sympathetic restoration of this 1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport for sale on Hemmings.com went so far as to include new Juniper Green paint and new Wilton Wool carpeting, but also preserved the 38,000-mile car’s driveability. From the seller’s description:

1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport woodie; one of 75 remaining of the 700 originally made. This woodie has just over 38,000 original miles on the odometer. The car was purchased by our family in 2002 as a driver, and since then, has undergone a sympathetic restoration, taking care to preserve as much of the original design and patina as possible. Extensive restoration has taken place “out of sight” to achieve this result. Changes have only been made to enhance the car’s driveability on modern roads while keeping its soul intact. This car could be driven from coast to coast, on Route 66, entered in popular rallies or car shows, reside in a museum, or simply be driven and enjoyed. It’s a happy car. Virtually every time I’ve driven the car, it has received a “thumbs up” from others who enjoy looking at it. It is also a strikingly beautiful car. Highlights of major work include: installation of vacuum-assisted front disc brakes, new carpeting, new Juniper Green paint, new chrome, and rebuilt fluid drive and gearbox. Additionally, the car has never been in an accident and has no dings. It’s always been garaged and covered in the garage. Recently (June 2013), the car has had green Wilton Wool carpeting installed throughout, including the trunk space. In addition, new cloth upholstery to match the original was special-ordered and (June, 2013) the front bench seat bottom and both doors were reupholstered. No rips or tears exist either in the upholstery or the leather. There is enough spare new cloth to reupholster the entire interior. This spare cloth measures 13 ft. x 5 ft. 6 in. Many other spares are also included with the purchase. If requested, the sale will include two volumes of restoration notes, a CD showing over 1,000 digital photographs delineating work, a Chrysler workshop manual, a Classic Car cross-reference parts guide, and a Chrysler spare parts catalog.

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Gary

GMsMG

I finally know the answer to a question and Gary beats me to it!

LOL

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Gary

GMsMG

I think that's what most of us have called a "renovation" to distinguish it from a restoration.

Means they are going to feel sympathetic for you after you pay their restoration bill.

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My 1958 MGA is not a car, it's a CAREER..!! ...

Agreed, it's basically fixing up a car to prevent further deterioration while preserving as much of its originality as possible. It would usually include replacing incorrect parts with factory ones wherever possible, unless those incorrect parts have some sort of interesting history.

In my world, a well used car is like a book in that the history of its use is writ upon it's surfaces. A sympathetic restoration keeps the book from falling apart any further, while not erasing any of the story.

In the case of any aftermarket additions, I think of them as scribbling in the margins, sometimes amusing and adding to the historic charm, other times to be erased if possible.

A full chassis-up restoration is like hitting reformat on the hard drive.

Pete

Does it mean that other cars have had an UNsympathetic restoration ?

I know that some engines i.o. have been rebuilt properly only had as we call it a "rattlecan restoration" to look better on the outside.