To Modify, or Nor to Modify...........

[DJT]

From the Sept 2017 Practical Classics. Says a lot really......

IMG_6159.jpgIMG_6159 2.pdf

[jagorstag]

That'd be a most definitely, maybe in favour of modifying, or perhaps leaving well alone from me... Suppose there's a good argument for keeping things original and factory spec, provided of course you can get hold of parts not made from toffee... Then again a well executed restomod of sorts isn't all bad either, to be honest...

Whatever floats your boat, I think!

[Nigel W]

He is right about rubber bush suspension giving a softer ride, the trouble is getting decent quality parts that last. If you don't want to working on them every few MOTs or less, it has to be polly bush.

[davidf]

At the risk of repeating comments that I made some time ago; if there were only a few Stags left, I think their owners would have a moral obligation to keep them as standard as possible. Custodians of heritage, and all that. You would not want anyone to take the original Mona Lisa and apply a modern hair-style!
However, there are thousands of surviving Stags, and owners with every type of interest. So, there are some very standard Stags lovingly maintained in concourse condition, and at the same time, there are some very interesting modifications, ranging from alternative suspension bush materials, to alternative engines, drivetrains, etc. All can live happily in harmony.

And, if someone starts a thread on a topic you are not interested in - don't bother reading it, but let others get on with it.

[flying farmer]

Back in the days I had Dolomites/Toledos and every 4th car in the car park was one of them, I spent a lot of time making them look different, and I would probably have done the same if I could have afforded a Stag.
Now due to their comparative rarity there is no need to modify the looks, but personally I can't live with the ride/handling/performance of the standard cars.
The only good thing is there is a lot to be gained per pound spent compared to modern stuff which is so good as standard.

I tried to keep a bog standard 2 door Toledo just for fun at the same time as my V8 example. It scared me to death being dangerous even in a straight line once I got over 50mph (exactly as I remember my 1st car, a 4 door Toledo). I ended up modifying the suspension/ wheels tyres as a matter of self preservation, then proceeded to blow the engine regularly as it spent all its life flat out (also like my 1st 4 door Toledo).

If a car is to be treated as an investment standard seems to be the best way to maximise the price of the car, but the value of the car to the owner is reflected in the amount of smiles per mile. That is a more personal thing!
Neil

[Guest]

Always a tricky question. After the cutomising craze of the late 70's was over and I had grown up a bit more, I have valued originality. For me though it is probably more about appearance and less so mechanically /electrically wise.

Often mods make a car worse - certainly on modern stuff - and some installed to rectify a problem don't solve the issue which would have been solved making sure existing things are all in proper working order. As Joakim said the 'issue' can often be whether you can get replacement parts when needed, as so many seem to be of inferior quality - often unusable - which can makes modding a different proposition. For classics then, the brakes, suspension, steering, lights etc can be improved and made safer but how far do you go? Do we want classics to drive like current moderns?

[mole42]

"do we want classics to drive like current moderns?"

If I could get a modern that I enjoyed driving as much as the Stag I'd buy it.

[Guest]

I have 2 of the same old model.
They are now considered a classic.

One is modified manual 5 speed, the other totally standard and AUTO.

I actually like driving them both, but Jaguar don't make a modern that is not bloated, thirsty, noisy, blingy, uncomfortable, or all at once.
(I have driven them all, including the over hyped 500bhp ones).
The F type was a A HORRIBLE SLUG!

The auto is still superb around major cities, and uses so little fuel it's stupid.
The manual is for adrenalin maniacs.
They are both better than a 21st century kleenex which is all Jaguar have made in the last 17 years.
(Have you seen how fast a XK8 rots away?)

I can jump out of one and get into the other, each time giving me a smile because they are so totally different. They are also incredibly reliable and cost peanuts to run.

In my opinion the pinnacle of motor technology was reached somewhere around 1987-1995.
Power to weight was optimal for the faster cars.

Up until about 1983, most British cars were unreliable and pretty much all of them need some modification to make remotely useable.
I blame the first Golf GTi and Passat for making the world sit up and see what could be achieved without needing this "constant upgrade pattern.

Since after 1998-2000 it's well proven cars are heavier, with lots of totally unneccessary electronics prone to going wrong, therefore needing bigger brakes, higher loss, larger heavier tyres & wheels & more torque to get the same performance.

They are far from being the "less polluting or the safer" bollox they are all cracked out to be.

[TR5convalescent]

Gareth, you have much in common with the late L J K Setright, who would fulminate against 'wasteful power assistance' from the pulpit of his column in Car magazine about 30 years ago.

[RobinLegin]

FIVA the international historic vehicle body have a view on originality. Unless the parts are no longer available the stance is The historic vehicle should remain unmodified.
I think there is a good position between the two points of view. My Stag has a 4 core radiator, Revotek electric fan, electronic ignition, silicone instead of rubber on main suspension and stainless steel exhaust.
My Alvis Grey Lady is standard apart from a Ken Lowe fan, seat belts and stainless steel exhausts.
Both cars were built for different traffic conditions. Both would overheat if stuck for any significant period in a modern day jam. I wish to be able to continue to use them rather than lock them away as investments. It's more fun using them.
Nigel