What is a sympathetic restoration?

[Frank Beck]

I'm confident this is one of those flowery terms that some car-ny came up with. When a term is so broad or undefined it's nothing more than mumbo jumbo.

How is it defined and by what authority?

This is how CPR defines it (which sounds like doing breast implants on an 80 year old):
http://cprclassic.com/sympathetic.html

Given that definition they would be willing to forego an engine rebuild on a 45 year old 911 motor? I assure you from seeing hundreds of motors that the vast majority of 45 year old #8 main bearing o-rings are leaking because they are hard as a rock. Why would anyone want a gorgeous car that leaks oil? Or clapped out, cracked, oblong suspension bushings that lost that lovin feeling decades ago? Is this just the mechanic in me that hates to see a performance automobile not be what it's supposed to be?

I can see using the term if one has a highly original and well preserved car (say under 50k original miles) and wants to maintain that originality. But it seems to me that many people are simply too cheap to do a proper restoration so they attach this silly term to mask their agenda.


Discuss.

[72targa]

I have no idea..But I like 2a...

Definition of sympathetic
1
: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2
a : appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition
b : marked by kindly or pleased appreciation the biographer's approach was sympathetic
3
: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions a sympathetic gesture
4
: favorably inclined : approving not sympathetic to the idea
5
a : showing empathy
b : arousing sympathy or compassion a sympathetic role in the play
6
a : of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
b : mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
7
: relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration
sympatheticallyplay \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See sympathetic defined for English-language learners
See sympathetic defined for kids

[Mac911]

Totally agree with #2 on 72Targa's list. In all fairness to CPR and other shops that use that term. In my opinion it is merely a caveat that not all cars that they touch are totally rebuilt to new. That decision is left to the owner/ buyer as it should be. It's been my feeling that there is a whole lot of people that prefer a car that has original patina yet reliable to drive. I think that's all that means. They'll do whatever or as much as you're willing to spend. It broadens the market of buyers. I prefer to know just what I'm paying for. One of the key attractions when I bought my 73 911 T was the it was in pieces and I decided what I wanted them to do. That was important to me. Today I love the way it came out. Sure it may need a few aesthetic improvements that I can do as I go along but not critical to the drivability of the car.

[Frank Beck]

Point taken but let's not confuse "patina" with deferred maintenance.

And maybe we need to define "driveabilty"?

Do severe oil leaks and sagging suspension bushings affect driveability?
As a mechanic and racer I absolutely believe they do.

Or is it that owners of "sympathetic restorations" are driving their cars like gereatrics and their wife doesn't mind the odor of burned petroleum on their clothes after a long drive?


I'm battling a mindset currently with 964 and 993 owners. Many live with MASSIVE oil leakage and are in denial that these motors have intrinsic character flaws that only a $10k topend reseal/rebuild will fix.

Are they merely "sympathetic" owners?

[Jules Dielen]

sympathetic restoration = i cut corners where possible to save a few $.

That to me is openly stating corners were cut OR the customer just did not want to spend the money. Not the shop's fault if the customer tells him to install used parts. i am sure you have those customers too Frank. "Just install used parts on my 98 Boxster cuz it's not worth the cost of new parts."


The part that rubs me is cars advertized as a 'ground up' or 'nut and bolt' restoration and they did not even bother to take the windows or interior out when they painted the car. No nuts and bolts needed to install a windshield right?

[steve shea]

The sympathy you hope to get from your wife when you realize you paid way too much and are beyond upside down.

Other puzzling used car terms; presents beautifully, all original (while you know they are ignorant or bsing), light patina, good investment potential, the best car of its type currently for sale anywhere. I know there's more.

[Frank Beck]

The sympathy you hope to get from your wife when you realized you paid way too much and are beyond upside down.

Other puzzling used car terms; presents beautifully, all original (while you know they ignorant or bsing), light patina, good investment potential, the best car of its type currently for sale anywhere. I know there's more.

The one I just love with contemporary cars:

"Clean Carfax".

As if Carfax is the Gold Standard for the history of an automobile.
That's as bad as trusting a CoA.

[stout]

The term "restoration" every bit as fraught in our circles…

[ejboyd5]

Sympathetic restoration is as simple as turning a non-driver into a driver.

[Frank Beck]

Sympathetic restoration is as simple as turning a non-driver into a driver.

I hope you're kidding.

Otherwise you removed any meaning from the word "restoration".

Just as Pete alluded to.



I hereby establish a new word for this phenomenon:

halfasstoration.