The restoration's best before date

I do see a lot of fresh restorations that win trophies at both large and small car show events. What is the best before date of one of these if the owner wishes to drive it regularly? All scenarios are possible but I would hazard that they would be, on average, in show-winning shape for around three years. Top show cars will weather quickly into 2nd or 3rd place finishers or real nice show cars and stay there for many years and still can be driven. I won't get into the improbable attraction that fresh restorations seem to have for flying objects on the open road. Cheers Ron

Five years.

Comes down to how interested the owner can stay when you consider the effort required to prepare a show car. Believe it or not, I don't see a lot of difference between the prep time required to show a car and the time required to prepare for a race. If winning is important to you this is going to take effort. It is all about the details.

True show cars make lousy purchases because the bugs are never chased out. But a good restoration where the owner wants to move on is a great buying opportunity to the person who just wants to drive.

NOHOME wrote: True show cars make lousy purchases because the bugs are never chased out. But a good restoration where the owner wants to move on is a great buying opportunity to the person who just wants to drive.

And thus the great circle begins anew

In reply to Raze:

That's a great way to say it!

I'd be a terrible caretaker of a concours-level car. I enjoy driving them (hard!) too much.

I've become a fan of the Sympathetic Restoration. Make it nice enough the average person would call it restored and fix only what needs fixin'. That way you can drive without guilt and also not have it in boxes in your garage for 10 years.

In reply to Tom Heath:

There you go!

I think you mix in a lot more sport and a lot less storage. Otherwise you have nothing but a decaying museum piece!

Why do people buy wonderful cars then hide them away? It certainly can't be investment value. I was at an investment seminar many years ago and a guy there proudly proclaimed his retirement investments were primarily DeLoreans!! I hope he stays healthy till he dies. He won't be able to retire by selling those boat anchors.