BMW Mobile Tradition to begin production of NEW bodyshells!!

[Guest Anonymous]

" ...you end up with these low-skill bolt-it-together ...(cars)...that all have the same off-the-shelf parts, none of which...last...long... . Entire...fields of...cars, all with the same dash switches and gauges, all of them off the same parts shelf..., and all of them...just plain poor quality."

Geez, Sam, by skipping every Nth word or so, it sounds like we're talking about a lot full of NEW MGB's or TRs, 'back in the day'.

I agree with you about 'easy' restorations. However, for many cars, putting it back to 'like-new' condition really isn't saying all that much. Many of the cars we love so much displayed suspect build quality, obsolescent designs, and parts commonality across many makes.

For many things, I'll err on the side of the new part. That is, if a new whatsit is available for not much more $$ than refurbing the old part, I'll buy a new part. Of course I'll never get rid of the old parts, unless they aren't even good enough for paperweights. I figure that if I keep the car long enough, some day the new parts won't be available (such is the case for many parts on my '53 Chrysler), so within reason, it's good to take advantage of the new parts supplies while they are still there.

You have a good point, though. But still, I'd love to have the parts price and availability of the British cars applied to BMWs and Porsches.

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

I had the radiator out and head off of my '67 Fiat 124 (4-door, not spider) and decided to replace the water pump while I was at it. The new one lasted 2 weeks before it blew. I put the old one back on and drove with it for 2 more years.

[Guest Anonymous]

jj, belated congrats on the baby!

7AO

'71 02

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)