Works-in-progress
Lester:
Frankly, I enjoy seeing works-in-progress. It's great fun to meet a new owner with a car that needs some TLC who is interested in putting it back to it's former glory. Usually, they are the most enthusiastic of the bunch! I've been where you are numerous times with both Alpines and Tigers (and Mustangs) and I know a great deal about the issues you'll be faced with. Seeing these types of cars also helps owners of completed cars to stay in touch with their roots (Rootes??), so to speak. So, by all means, please do bring it out to the Dallas show if you can, or to any show we may have in OKC. And, please don't be discouraged when you hear (and you will...) someone say, "what the heck is he thinking, bringing a car like that to a show?" You can safely chalk that type of comment up to the "they just don't get it yet" catagory. I've always considered the car hobby and car restoration in general as sort of like an inside joke; you either get it or you don't. Those who don't are unable to look past the patina and see a gleaming jewel of a car and, frankly, I feel rather sorry for someone like that who obviously lacks automotive imagination and enthusiasm. On the other hand, those who do get it will know exactly why you're there with your project car and those same people will be the ones who will encourage you during the project and congratulate you and revel in your car when it's completed. That, my friend, makes your restoration journey worth it.
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