I've talked briefly with some folks in the group about various levels
of video production. (Disclaimer: I'm in that business.) The nice thing is it's easier/cheaper than ever before to produce a decent-looking and sounding video. The long-term nature of restoration dictates that either you buy and operate the gear yourself, or you perform your restoration in two weeks of intensive mechanical work, with all parts pre-sourced, and with all potential landmine problems pre-solved. The other way is to "incorporate" as a vehicle restoration video production company. That way, all video equipment and services, as well as the acquisition/restoration costs of the vehicle and the shop are all deductible business expenses. If you keep the car, personally, when you're done, then its restored value would be taxable to you as compensation, and you'd have to pursue another restoration/video project to retain your corporate status. (IANAL, and consult your tax professional, etc.) It would be good, in the eyes of the IRS, for there to be a viable, potentially-profitable business plan associated with this venture, either in direct to DVD sales or placement on one of the various broadcast outlets. Sponsorship, of course, would help out, but then you'll need sales guys, etc. Gets to be quite a project, but it can and does work. There's a guy in England who has done this kind of stuff... restore a Jag, build a kit plane, etc.
The other, less expensive, and more immediate need, (in my humble opinion) is to interview some of the "old timers" in the Sunbeam and related world, while they're still around. Sit-down, one-on-one interviews, in their shop, with a knowledgeable but receptive host. Every time one of the old guard passes on, it's an opportunity missed. This is not nearly as expensive/time consuming as the resto video, and it's not even necessary to take the next step of editing and production right away. But it is necessary to go record them right away. Time's a'wastin, and all.
I've thought about this recently. A lot.
Ken
