Back from the dead: Restorations (Part I)

Something that most non-car people usually don't consider when they see a gorgeous old car is the amount of work that goes into making that old car look brand new. In some respects, the fairly recent phenomenon of massive restorations (it is only about 30 years old) has created a skewed view in people's minds. They go to Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance or a similar show and think that those old cars have always looked like that, with perfect panel fit, smooth, tight leather, and glistening mechanicals. The truth of the matter is many of those cars didn't even look that good when they were new. Furthermore, the test of time can wear heavily on cars, and it is no a minor miracle, but a major miracle that these cars can be brought back to life.

One question that can weigh heavily on an enthusiast's mind, however, is whether or not to restore a car, and if so, to what extent. Sometimes, a car is found in very good condition save for some slight mechanical work, such as the Duesenberg Model X Jay Leno discovered. That car is completely original save for a rebuilt engine. On the other hand, some cars have been treated so poorly that a complete restoration is required and the vehicle ends up looking practically new in the end. Pretty much every car that wins Best of Show at Pebble Beach falls into that category.

Of course, every once in a while, a car comes along that is completely original and looks stunning. It is rare, but it happens. The best example I can think of off the top of my head is a stunning 1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe that has recently been shown at the Meadow Brook Hall Concours (where it won the Preservation Award for best original car) and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. The car is completely original, include the still fantastic black paint. The only thing that has been done to the car in 77 years is to have the wheels repainted. Amazing.

For more pictures of pre-restored barn find cars, check out a great selection of pictures from the A.K. Miller Collection.

Photos, clockwise from lower left, a 1974 Dino 246GT, a 1974 Dino 246GTS getting ready to look like the car pictured below it, a 1954 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe in the process of being restored, and two shots of the aforementioned 1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe in original, unrestored condition.