Originality vs. Creativity

[jaudette3]

As you know, I've been around these cars for a long time, as have many (most?) of you. And I think I see a bit of a sea change. At one time there was tremendous emphasis on originality. If not absolute originality, correctness. I had that fever and restored my 1960 356 S90 Roadster (Mouse) with only original parts: NOS or restored. Even the fasteners. I was so fanatical it took eight years. I sense that things are loosening up - and I have a theory why.

The Mouse escapade was 20 years ago. Since then demographics have been shifting of course and the average age of Porsche owners has probably come down. And for the most part the G Series cars don't seem to be as revered as collectibles as our beloved F Series. Also, of course, young folks tend to be more adventurous. I was speaking with someone at Europeans Collectible today and he mentioned their projects are shifting. They're doing many more projects that are moving away from pure original and moving to projects that involve the owners creativity. He said their lineup of vendors is even shifting as a result.

And I'm seeing widespread acceptance of LED headlights from the G series crowd, much more than when I introduced them for air cooled cars five years ago. Sometimes pretty radical configurations with black fascia, clear lenses and black trim rings. And I do find that group to be generally younger than the F Series group (it always comes down to the car you lusted after when you came of age, right?). Also, again generalizing, the younger crowd seems to put a lot of emphasis to driving their cars, maybe even in the rain.

It's all good. I'm grateful to be involved in the air cooled Porsche community and thankful that at my advanced age the younger folks seem to accept me. There seems to be something about air cooled Porsches that draws good people.

Cheers,
John

[NZVW]

John, times change as does the 'Porsche Purchaser Pool' but the one thing that doesn't change is the basic fact that people buy 911 cars because they are just that, a 911. I have alway admired those that chuck a heap of time and $ into creating what they want out of their 911, more power, lower stance recreation or just mild to extreme hot rods.
You yourself sir have the perfect blend. You transverse between the old and the new and all here on this forum are extremely grateful that you do.
I hope the days are now getting noticeably longer now that the shortest day is long behind you.
Take care, be safe, be kind.

[davep]

I am with you John. With 70 just in sight, my attitude has been shifting a little. I do love originality, and still keep that as a high priority, but I do like a little stealth improvements in areas. Lighting is one area and brakes another.

[_gonbau]

from my thought ... I would almost gut the car to put new things on it. Things that do not wear out or are safer .. Things that I like more. Do not walk X dollars if you do not walk your car, evidently showing the keeping of all these original parts. As long as you keep it I see no problem in a change. Regarding the lights ... I still see the classics more beautiful ...

[Unobtanium-inc]

John,
I think you're onto something, for those of us who don't remember these cars when they were new or even really on the road regularly, the need to be 100% original isn't as important. I'm 46, for reference. I too have a T5 Roadster, but it has a C motor, very strange interior, and I changed the color from it's original Ruby Red to Silver. People said I couldn't change the color, it would hurt the value, I said my relatives could have that debate after I'm dead.
I added the Rudge wheels too, the car didn't originally come with them, I just liked them.
As far as matching numbers, I tell people I've yet to find a way to see the engine number when I'm driving.

---Adam