Originality v modification

It's quiet in mid-winter so...

Who's for mods and who's for originality?

In my younger days my MGA, several Midgets and a host of lesser machinery was changed, added to and generally mucked about with. Today in my dotage I have a totally original TF and strive to keep it that way - provocatively I'll say it's the original ones which will be sought after in the future.

(Steps hurriedly aside...)

Undoubtedly, the ones that will be sought after will be the original ones. I think the F trophy will be the one that people will want.
Personally, I don't want my F to be anything but an F, but if I want to add/change something to improve on the original I have no qualms about it. A car is a tool to me, not a piece of art. I have neither the patience nor the will to keep a car original and in concours condition.

Original for me but there is an argument for upgrades or improvements on the original.

Improved mechanics yes, take SS underfloor pipes for instance I would say they are a must on our cars.

As for cosmetic modifications I would say no, I'm quite happy with my car as it is.

Is your exhaust a standard one? You're missing out on some great noise if it is. :yesnod:

Heated read windscreens and xenon lights may not be original but they do tend to help modernise things.. quite a bit.

New stereo systems, ipods, usb drives, chargers, satnavs.. Even the smaller mods such as better fitting sun visors make a big difference to many. So, get those flared trousers off and get modding. :lol:

Have I missed anything off anyones list of favoured, modern modifications?

Z&F remap....MS Slickshift, at least for the later TFs..original gearchange is horrible...

Hi. I love originality issues. I take it you intend to keep to the original "factory fitted" head gasket! :bust:

Just my warped sense of humour.

I like the look of the F as it was built but have changed the obvious things like SS underfloor pipes, head gasket etc. I've also changed the front discs to 280mm to get better braking, the windscreen wiper linkage to Mike Satur's design for reliability, the seats because the originals were tatty and a few other bits that I cannot recall at the mo.

Generally, I've tried to improve the safety, reliability and drive ability without compromising the look too much.

That said I'm not averse to body modifications by others - it's your car, do what you want with it.

Imagine that the cars that keep their value best will be the original ones, the sought after ones (early Trophy perhaps) but I'm not optimistic that they are going to be worth massive amounts of money even in 20 years unfortunately.

I have never* kept a car as it came out of the factory.

I buy a car for myself, not for it's resale value. I have either scrapped more cars or sold them as breakers than I have sold as runners.

*Not quite true, I once bought an early 17 year old MG Maestro 1600 through ebay, travelled over 100 miles by train and coach to collect it and within 10 miles of collecting it decided not to keep it as it was original in every aspect and was registered on day one of the maestro, sold it for a profit a few weeks later.

Bob wrote: Original for me but there is an argument for upgrades or improvements on the original.

Improved mechanics yes, take SS underfloor pipes for instance I would say they are a must on our cars.

As for cosmetic modifications I would say no, I'm quite happy with my car as it is.

I agree with you. On my car (1999 mk2) which I have owned since new I have tried to take the view of "If it was available for the MGF you can add it if it looks right". This worked for a while - for example the fog lights (which I liked at the time but was overruled). However I have gone further because we could not get the fog light bezels to sit flush so a front spoiler (like the trophy was added) but unlike the trophy it has the fog light cut outs. I also added heated seats (again this was an option) but used in keeping switch gear (not the rocker buttons next to the lights on the triangle sections. Then I added 4 pot callipers and trophy wheels.

From the factory/dealer my car had the chrome pack and heated washer jets - not available in the accessory cat at the time but it could e asked for.I wonder if any two cars were ever identical.

I agree on the stainless steel water pipes too (have not done that yet). Also do you have all the rusty fixings under the bonnet or replace (as I did) or stainless steel ones which look nice. I still have the old ones. I am currently fitting a stainless steel rack (the bolt on one). I want to build an example car to demonstrate what was available. I probably will not change the boot lid for a TF one (which looks good IMHO).

In the end it all comes down to budget and that word taste. Of course everyone believes their taste is the best!

ash

I agree with modifications that replace items that are likely to fail as standard or that should've been installed from the beginning like SS under car pipes, bigger, more effective brakes, better hood etc but stuff like this is a no no :spank:



Body kits that were offered officially like the Panther would add value to a standard car inmho.

Would fitting mk2 bits to a mk1 ie, interior, wheels etc detract value even though facelifting involves natural progression of design???

Also, moddifiing from origional spec could be seen as something small like clear indicators fitted to a mk1.

Each to their own I think.

Worst thing on that is the number plate - discuss.

talkingcars wrote: Worst thing on that is the number plate - discuss.

The bodiy kit is not that bad but I don't like the swirly black pattern or the stripe.

Stripes are ok (eg PQD44 I think has them on his blue F) but I think that car would look better without it IMHO