original car
john,
there are many cars here in the states that have had great restorations done to them. but keep in mind what i have told you before. the sunbeam clubs here in the states that do judge the cars allow a certain number of changes to be made for reliability,etc. there are six catagories that are judged. these are : function,chassis,engine compartment,trunk,interior and exterior. function means all lights,wipers,heater fan and horns function as intended. the console lock,door locks and trunk lock must all work. the windows must roll up and down properly. there is a possible 22 points for this catagory. the chassis has a possible 23 points. this includes general appearance and judges overall impression. 5 points in this section are for adherence to originality. points can be deducted for non original finish to the front cross member,nonstock exhaust, sway bar etc. there is a possible 35 points for the engine compartment. again general appearance,component finish (including engine),compartment finish, hoses,grommets,wiring,horns,etc. adherence to originality is 8 points with missing vin and sal plates, non original carbs,washer bottle,booster and different color paint than the exterior. the trunk is again general appearance and finish,spare tire,jack,tools and owners manual. originality is 6 points with points deducted for non dunlop spare and missing tool kit and proper jack and handle clips. interior has a total of 35 points with originality being 10 points. points can be deducted for nonstock seats,steering wheel, instruments,shifter,visors and non sunbeam radio and speakers.exterior is a total of 55 points with quality of paint, body surface and panel match,glass,etc.originality is 10 points with points deducted for different color than paint code,missing chrome/trim,glass and tires. with these guidlines there is room to make changes to greatly improve the overall fit and finish of the car and thus deviate from factory original and still have a top notch car. now maybe you will understand a little better the thinking of many folks here in the states that are able to do a very high quality restoration in stock and rare rootes and why changes are made from factory original. such is the reason for the weber on my wife's car. so we lose one point, big deal. but the reliability is much better! at the last united my fastback totaled 190 points of a possible 192 in rare rootes. i consider that pretty good! will we ever find a car such as yours here in the states? i doubt it. these cars were driven and maintained but at some point most owners traded them for another vehicle when they became a liability and maintanance cost and reliability became an issue. thus they faded away.