Seinfeld vs. SCM: restore or enjoy the patina

[Greg D.]

Pretty good articles in the latest sports car market. (you can buy the feb issue on your tablet if that's easier). Apparently Seinfeld bought a rusty speedster that was panned in the SCM analysis as too expensive for the condition... He defends his purchase pretty well on grounds or originality and patina, vs Restorations that strip the car's history... followed by a rebuttal from Miles Collier. Very interesting re: the direction of the hobby, and where we fall. Check it out!

Ps: shouldn't say rusty, the actual chassis condition is a bit of a debate. Let's say cosmetically representative of 58 years of use ��

[Jon B]

I've rebuilt several of Jerry's Porsche transmissions, and currently have a Speedster transmission of his to do- from the description, probably the same car.
My understanding is that this Speedster will be a "driver", similar to a very good example we could have found in the 1960's or 70's, and not restored to show standards.
He plans to drive it and enjoy it, sort of like we did with these things 40+ years ago...

Jon B.
Vista, CA

[Richardnew]

Miles and Fred (Daytona Coupe) are huge proponents of preservation.

I'm picking up a slight trend back to restoration. Several of this year's Pebble Beach original cars are now being restored. Once the owners secured the originality award they're having them restored so they can also have a 2nd award for the same car.

Keep in mind that there is now commonly accepted definition of originality. Each marque defines it differently. Here's an article on that.

Richard Newton

[Jim Breazeale]

Miles and Fred (Daytona Coupe) are huge proponents of preservation.

I'm picking up a slight trend back to restoration. Several of this year's Pebble Beach original cars are now being restored. Once the owners secured the originality award they're having them restored so they can also have a 2nd award for the same car.

Keep in mind that there is now commonly accepted definition of originality. Each marque defines it differently. Here's an article on that.

Richard Newton

Richard

Just a slight addition to your post. Once an unrestored car wins an award at Pebble Beach, it is no longer allowed to enter in the Unrestored class. Owners are left with few options, sell the car (it still can't be re-entered) drive the crap out of the thing or restore it.

Regards

Jim

[Sepia911S]

After the 911S won the Preservation Award at the Traverse City Parade, several PCA members took me aside and shared their philosophy that a car should only win that award once. "After winning, give someone else a chance." I agree.

At Parade, the ladies ask, "When are you going to compete again?" I just shake my head no ... once is enough. The men always ask, "Did you bring the car?" The differences in point of view is interesting.

The thought of entering Sepia in the street class has crossed my mind. What would happen?

[John Straub]

And the cars should be driven to and from the show.

John

[Milou]

Could JS be selling his "over-restored" cars and focus his collection on preserved cars? Maybe that's why he's selling at Gooding?

[billh]

Could JS be selling his "over-restored" cars and focus his collection on preserved cars? Maybe that's why he's selling at Gooding?

I think you hit the nail on the head.....laughable that anyone thinks JS is selling because he sees a "bubble" about to pop.

[Pirulero]

I think that when you have too much toys you can't play with all of them.

So....he would like to sell the toys he didn't use and buy others new toys.

With his money he can buy all the toys he wants

[Eminence Gris]

Anecdotally, Seinfeld is a fan of patina. But he also has at least one hot rod - a 71 coupe built by RUF with a 4 liter engine, which I've seen up close and personal. So he seems to appreciate a variety of Porsches for different reasons. Not that there's anything wrong with that.