I have been looking at a lot of cars and particularly the way some parts get refinished during a renovation varies considerably. Even those cars that ask/fetch all the money by claiming to be perfect have things that are debatable compared with early pictures e.g. Things get passivated yellow that were originally painted black. Things get powder coated that were once painted etc. Classic parts are re-manufactured but not as they were in the 70s.
There are threads "databases" of cars for sale that logs prices etc over time ...but I have not seen one SINGLE thread that is colating authoritative fact-based database as reference to what is known to be the original factory finish for the commonly (the many times incorrect to spec) refurbished components.
Each owner does (and indeed should) please themselves on what they do to their car, however our generation of owners (especially the enthusiasts in this forum) may be the last with line of sight to the actual factory finish before all the increasingly valuable but 40-50 year old early 911 cars are in some way restored or theier parts refurbished by well meaning folks.
Is there any interest in building up a (this?) thread over time as the "one source of truth" on correct to original specification regarding finish for such parts? Future owners and restorers might thank us for documenting such things factually and in one place at this time.
Info like following might be useful to build up a database:
1) The part is ....(model year and part name/description)
2) Original factory finish was .... (Description and ideally unmolested car photo as reference when possible)
3) If refinishing /restoring now consider using this (....finish or product name) to be close to factory original.
4) Sometimes people choose to finish this part with (.....) which has some advantages ( such as....) but not considered in keeping with original.
If there is already a single thread doing this same job, then apologies, I have missed it. Obviously this will not a thread that everyone (anyone?) will care about but, thought it might build over time to become a useful reference.
Impression is the enjoyable and well subscribed threads with information about e.g. toolkit contents/wrench font sizes, correct in year radio ( guilty), period accessories, sale prices etc seem more focused and collated in threads than this sort of information about the car component finish. When it is covered it seems patchy/fragmented both here and other car forums.
Maybe I am on my own on this one? This community is well placed to do it if interest exists. Thoughts?
Reply With Quote