Which route to take - original or show quality? Options

[gturner008]

Background. I have purchased a beauty. 1976, 39k mile, one owner, stunningly original car. Completely stock, original everything - never been painted and in perfect condition. Every detail is correct. Main dealer maintenance (19 services). No corrosion anywhere, even no surface rust on any fasteners - even under the car.

The car has the full rust treatment from new. Zeibart receipt from 1976. They really went to town. All the cavities wax treated, along with clear wax spray of the floor, and all underfloor moving parts. Engine and transmission coated in a thick wax coating.

The wheel wells were given a coating of black stone chip material.

With 39k miles, there is some stone chipping to the black undercoating, and you can see a few areas of the white paint showing. The engine underside is not pretty, given the thick wax coating. The suspension parts, front and rear, also don’t look new and shiny, because of the wax coating. Underneath the coatings, everything could be shiny and looking like new.

My question is, given I am detailing the car for shows and wanting to present the car in the best way possible, what route to take? Do I get everything as clean and fresh as I can - but leave the anti corrosion coatings in place? Or do I strip back all the coatings and get it to look pristine and factory new looking?

My instinct is the former. After all, this is how it left the selling dealer from new.

A nice problem to have, I know. I’m so lucky to have bought this absolutely lovely example. I don’t want to do something I later regret.

There’s that old saying. It’s only original once. I love the look of newly restored cars, where everything is shiny and new. But this isn’t a restored car. It’s original down to the last detail.

I’d really appreciate your views and opinions. Hope this makes sense. Thanks all.

[gturner008]

Thank you so much for the detailed response. I really appreciate it.

I’ll take photos - as I’m working through the detailing and cleaning process. The one owner really took care and cherished the car. A lady owner who has the car from new. I’ve actually been emailing her - and she has offered to scan and email me photos from her time with the car.

One other interesting question.

The car looks like it was the dealer principal’s car for a few weeks. First registration was to the dealer (Century Motors). The dealer added on the doors a round 914 decal. Like a racing sticker.

These are on the car now. I could remove, but worry and paint fade on the door. It’s ivory white - and may be slightly yellow compared with what’s underneath.

My instinct is to leave the decal - as it came from the dealer. But a tough call. Any thoughts?

I’ll take those photos and post up.

[Tom_T]

Thank you so much for the detailed response. I really appreciate it.

I’ll take photos - as I’m working through the detailing and cleaning process. The one owner really took care and cherished the car. A lady owner who has the car from new. I’ve actually been emailing her - and she has offered to scan and email me photos from her time with the car.

One other interesting question.

The car looks like it was the dealer principal’s car for a few weeks. First registration was to the dealer (Century Motors). The dealer added on the doors a round 914 decal. Like a racing sticker.

These are on the car now. I could remove, but worry and paint fade on the door. It’s ivory white - and may be slightly yellow compared with what’s underneath.

My instinct is to leave the decal - as it came from the dealer. But a tough call. Any thoughts?

I’ll take those photos and post up.

I'd say - unless you like it - it may be better for the car's overall looks to remove the decal, but that's a hard call without a pic of it. So .....

I can't think of any round 914 decals from back in the day like that, & I was in dealers a lo in 72-75 looking at new 73 - 76 MY 914s (a college classmate had a new 73 2L from rich parents), & test drove several new 75 & 76 914-2.0s before buying my 3 year old 73 2L in Dec. `75. Maybe they were a Canadian or Toronto thing?

... or is it just a big racing/AX number roundel? If so, then maybe the dealer principal/employee tracked it or did AX. You may be able to run that initial history down via the dealer if they're still around, with any old timers still available.

Fortunately, that L80E light Ivory is pretty resistant to discoloration/fading over time - even under the 4 layers of repaints on mine! So the decal may not have any shadow or yellowing, or if little then it may be able to be buffed out.

If you're uncomfortable with removing the decal yourself, then talk to a local Concours prep guy/gal near you to remove & maybe also check paint depth & do the full car paint prep for Concours, so you have a good start (clay bar, etc. to get all to issues out, & air brush out any small dings, etc.). Get a recco from some local Concours guys for who they recco,& look in your local Toronto PCA Region's magazine for Pro Detailers.

But .... if you plan to race or AX the 914, then just leave them on.

PS - Despite the Anthracite Grey Metallic (930 color) in the avatar pic, mine was originally L80E, & will go back to it in my resto.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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