I believe that the term can be applied to unrestored examples that have been well maintained and had necessary maintenance. True enough that a car can only really be original once, but to be practical, the word is generally applied to cars that have mostly original paint, upholstery, and have been maintained faithfully to the way they way originally built.
Professional appraisals MUST disclose every single observation about the vehicle. That said, I see nothing wrong with stating a car is an original example and then listing the repair work/maintenance done. An appraiser must be honest. At the risk of splitting hairs, I think it is fine to say its only original once and everything else might be an unrestored or a restored example, but I also think most folks rightfully understand the word original in a slightly broader sense.
Paul W. -----Original Message----- From: Cruiser <xcruiser66@xxxxxxxxx> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 9:14 pm Subject: Re: IML: When is it original? Well, There is only one correct use of the term "original" as it applies to collector cars. It most always applies only to unrestored #1 condition cars. Because unrestored #1 cars are not driven, have very low miles, have been taken care of like the artwork they are and at most have had wear items replaced. That said a car is only "original" once. A restored car can not, by definition, be original. It can be "restored to correct original condition, but that denotes that it is NOT "original" The term "original" is applied incorrectly to restored #1 or #2 cars but is not accurate or even considered as a more than sales hype when determining valuation. I once appraised a genuine "original" in #5 condition, 1500 miles, parked in a factory warehouse when less than one year old. Everything was factory original and I mean everything, tires, battery, oil. All those things were shot, but original. About a year ago I went to do an appraisal on an Imperial for a client. The car was listed as a "completely original" #1 condition and was priced as such. My appraisal was made easy by the owners documents which stated, and I somewhat paraphrase; "....This extremely well cared for example of a 19xx Imperial has had 3 attentive owners who have meticulously maintained this remarkable automobile. Taken to the finest facilities where it's care was preformed by their top technicians. While preforming the frame off restoration the entire drive train was rebuilt, re-manufactured actually, to current state of the art machining standards. During this rebirth the entire interior was renewed using factory correct leather stitched with modern materials to avoid the issues of the period products it replaced......" It went on and on like this. When I was done the only major parts that were original were the frame, most of the sheet metal, gages, trim, drive train castings and the bumpers but they were re-chromed incorrectly. Now the car was very nice and in #1 condition, no question, but NOT at all original. I took exception to that term, so did my client who then presented a more realistic, albeit lower dollar value, which was ultimately accepted. In all my years appraising, restoring, servicing and dealing in classics I have seen only a few genuine originals. The rule is "Caveat Emptor" My .02 Thanks, Cruiser www.cruisersclassics.com Always looking for old cars, motorcycles, NOS parts, and related stuff. ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm ________________________________________________________________________Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com
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