Case in point, The Mean Green TR6. Its "our" rendition/vision ,and we build it as such. We don't ask for others approval, nor should we. What better form of mobile, self expression ? Build it for yourself, you paid fort it, right ? Let's not kid ourselves, that everyone else, will just love it. Most new cars drop value, like a rock, why should our lbc's be much different ? There not classics, there british hot rods, so enjoy them as such, 2 cents, roverman.
I agree totally. Every car starts with a "vision" of what we we want to accomplish. When it's complete, only we can determine if we've achieved our goal. Not everyone accepts what we do, but when one of our peers says "well done", that's the only gratification we need. This is one group of enthusiasts that I'm proud to be associated with.
Paul
X 3 on that one !!!
Dave
I'm next in line to agree with all said.
Calvin
As long as you're happy with it. No need to worry about someone else's vision for sure. You are the one spending time on it and having fun with it!
Well, there was one little point in the original post that I disagree strongly with. The MGB and the MGB GT undoubtedly ARE classic cars. In fact, I'd go further and declare that the MGB GT roofline was Pininfarina's masterpiece. The term "classic" doesn't exclusively apply to expensive or to limited production cars. Several of the other cars we discuss on this site are also certainly classics. I don't think we need to split hairs about which cars are and which aren't... It doesn't matter. What does matter is that the British excelled at creating "affordable classics" and building them in relatively large numbers. What we're doing here is improving on something that was already wonderful. Nothing wrong with that!
Indeed. And I would even go a bit further. In more than a few cases these cars qualify as bona-fide works of art. We can each come up with an example or two off the top of our head such as Terry's and Dan's GTs, the Berlin GT, Jim Stabe's roadster, Bill Jacobson's roadster, Mike Moor's roadster, the Roadmaster GT and more. (Well, OK the Roadmaster is still a little rough but It probably qualifies nonetheless).
Would anyone think that one of these cars would sell at the average price of a converted MGB? Could happen but wouldn't you like to be the lucky buyer? In fact I think these particular cars will tend to appreciate instead. Of course they are few and far between but that only makes them more special and the individuality of each one is what makes them collectable. Wouldn't you love to be wealthy enough to just go around and gather up the ones you like the best? (Sh... don't anyone tell Jay. I for one wouldn't want to start over.)
The individual vision, the quality of workmanship, the creativity, these are all things that say "artwork". It also happens that these creations often are many years in the making, sometimes resulting in true masterpieces. And how do you put a price on that?
As for the more typical conversion, it makes a better car. So it should be worth a premium. Not enough to pay for the upgrade but hey, you had to replace the engine anyway right?
Jim
Racers,
The MGB chassis is the greatest "palette" of all - a portable platform that provides balance for motion, performance and handling and invites the artist in all of us to create our concept of a sports car.
keep them on the track,
phillip g