I have noticed that quite a few of the disagreements on this forum stem from the rift between the "Original" and "Modified" car members. I have started this thread to provide a place for members to express their views on this matter. We all have our own opinions so please try to remain respectful of other viewpoints. Snarky comments will only serve to inflame the discussion and quickly get this thread locked. I will start by addressing some of the comments I have seen.
The first:
"If you wanted X car why didnt you buy X car?"
My answer to this may not speak for everyone but for me its about the lines of the car. My dad had 3 Panteras throughout my childhood. I always loved the lines of the car. I felt that they were way ahead of their time in styling. In 1998 I had the chance to get one myself. The X car that I wanted was a car that looked just like a Pantera and performed like a modern sportscar. While I loved the Pantera look the car was still a vehicle from the 70's. The car went through substantial modifications through the first 10 years and while still maintaining the Pantera look was far from original. I have begun modifications again that will even more drastically change the car in both appearance as well as performance. The bottom line though is that I still love the lines of the car and even though there will be enormous changes there will be no mistaking that it is a Pantera. Over 19 years later I love it just as much as I did at first and I have yet to grow bored of it. So, to answer the question, I bought the EXACT car I wanted.
Second:
"Why would you go and destroy the value of the car?"
First let me say that I am a builder. Legos got me through my early years. I simply CANNOT leave things alone. I have my dad to thank for those genes. My passion is in creativity. I don't do cookie cutter well. My wife always jokes with people that I tear my car apart every year. Lets just say that she may not be joking. If I wanted a car like everyone elses, I would buy a Honda. I am constantly looking for ways to improve on what the factory built. Technology has come a long way and if I can make my car keep up with the modern cars you can bet I will. When I bought my car not one single thought went toward resale. I could honestly care less. The only investments I own are my houses and whats in the bank. I have no intention of ever selling my car unless I can neither drive it nor work on it anymore.
Third:
"Your modified car is bringing down the value of my original car."
This is a new one that Doug brought up to me. I had honestly never even considered this. While I'm certain this will not change anyones decision to modify their cars it would be interesting to gather some data on this to see if there is any correlation. My opinion on this is that times are changing. In the business I am I have seen incredible amounts of original cars, modified cars, rat rods, you name it. The generation that is coming to the point of their lives that allows them to purchase cars for pleasure grew up in the World of Wheels and Hot Wheels years. I would even say we are starting to touch into the Fast and the Furious generation. I feel less people are looking for the flawless originals and more are looking for the wild, instant gratification car. If the value is dropping on original cars in my opinion its not due to people modifying their cars its due to less people being interested in originals. There has not been a car show that I have been to where the modified cars did not draw the bigger crowds.
As I said before, these are purely my opinions. Please feel free to express your own.
Original Post