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Survivor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bree
  • Start date Start date Nov 24, 2021

Bree

Active Member
Jan 12, 2021
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Zanesville Ohio
Nov 24, 2021
#1
  • Nov 24, 2021
  • #1
So what exactly constitutes a "survivor car"?
I'm of the impression that it is 25+ years old, still with original motor, trans, interior, and factory paint. Am I missing something? Are exceptions made for crash repair?
Thanks
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
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#2
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #2
Any car that I drive that still starts and drives the next day.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,305
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Massachusetts
Nov 25, 2021
#3
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #3
Mostly original car that isn’t a garage queen that has lived a sheltered life.

Something like this, where the car may have wear and tear but is in pretty decent shape structurally and mechanically
 
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Bree

Active Member
Jan 12, 2021
215
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38
Zanesville Ohio
Nov 25, 2021
#4
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #4
Well, now, my Indian Outlaw has never been garage kept. but I've managed to keep the paint,, well, decant anyway. There's a little car-cancer. And while it has a GT nose on an LX that was a product of accident repair. (I got the whole GT (less motor) cheaper than buying just a replacement nose in the aftermarket) The only upgrades are exhaust, sub frame connectors and trailing links, and I did a Cobra grill insert because I couldn't stand that flat nose.
What do we think?
 

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,305
18,012
224
Massachusetts
Nov 25, 2021
#5
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #5
I’d count it
 
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7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Nov 25, 2021
#6
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #6
Bree said:
Well, now, my Indian Outlaw has never been garage kept. but I've managed to keep the paint,, well, decant anyway. There's a little car-cancer. And while it has a GT nose on an LX that was a product of accident repair. (I got the whole GT (less motor) cheaper than buying just a replacement nose in the aftermarket) The only upgrades are exhaust, sub frame connectors and trailing links, and I did a Cobra grill insert because I couldn't stand that flat nose.
What do we think?
Click to expand...
It has survived something. Any on the road probably have.
I think the term is supposed to be for original as possible.
 
Last edited: Nov 25, 2021

Bree

Active Member
Jan 12, 2021
215
87
38
Zanesville Ohio
Nov 25, 2021
#7
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #7
7991LXnSHO said:
It has survived something. Any on the road probably have.
I think the term is supposed to be for original as possible.
Click to expand...
Well now, "original as possible"; the "as possible" part is kind of a relative phrase.
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
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#8
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #8
And speaking of relative phrases it's all in the eye of the beholder, as some say a open header no interior 456 rear geared drag slick wearing vehicle is a daily driver.
As you could tell I'm not into lables. Just enjoy the ride baby.
 
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mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
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In the garage
Nov 25, 2021
#9
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #9
IMO it would be a stock. unmodified car/ preferably original paint, drivetrain, wheels, interior, etc.
 
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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
28,021
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polk county florida
Nov 25, 2021
#10
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #10
'survivor car' 'barn find' and 'clone' are over used mostly untrue selling/conversation points.
I have a 'barn stored car', although it's not really stored in a 'barn'.
So 'shed stored' should be a 'thing' ?
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Nov 25, 2021
#11
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #11
General karthief said:
'survivor car' 'barn find' and 'clone' are over used mostly untrue selling/conversation points.
I have a 'barn stored car', although it's not really stored in a 'barn'.
So 'shed stored' should be a 'thing' ?
Click to expand...
I have a Quonset find car and a rented garage car.
 

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
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Sarasota Florida
Nov 25, 2021
#12
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #12
Indian Outlaw is shiny. You have been waxing.
 
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Bree

Active Member
Jan 12, 2021
215
87
38
Zanesville Ohio
Nov 25, 2021
#13
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #13
Potomus Pete said:
Indian Outlaw is shiny. You have been waxing.
Click to expand...
I'd try to wax it twice a year when it was in my custody. When the shop had it, awaiting it's turn I would still barrow it back and give it a good going over just before my brother from a diffent mother annual car show.
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Nov 25, 2021
#14
  • Nov 25, 2021
  • #14
Potomus Pete said:
You have been waxing.
Click to expand...
 
Reactions: General karthief

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
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nevada
Nov 26, 2021
#15
  • Nov 26, 2021
  • #15
7991LXnSHO said:
wax on,wax off.
Click to expand...
 

1hot87gt

5 Year Member
Mar 17, 2017
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Nov 27, 2021
#16
  • Nov 27, 2021
  • #16

What is a Survivor Car?​

by Dale Oestreich on November 26, 2019 in Car Restoration
In the world of classic cars, the “survivor car” is a great anomaly. Put simply, a survivor car is a classic vehicle that hasn’t been altered in any way since it was built. Different people and different organizations have slightly different ways to define a survivor car. However, in the main, most agree that survivor cars must have the original paint job, original interior and parts, and have documentation attesting when and where the car was first purchased.

How Do Survivor Cars Even Exist?​

Survivor cars are so strange because it’s nearly impossible to find a 50+ year-old-car that hasn’t had any repairs or improvements at all during its lifespan. Even the best-made vehicles experience natural wear and tear after a while, and conscientious car owners will usually replace car parts as they age or break down. (Consider that the average modern car only lasts eight years, and you’ll begin to realize why survivor cars are so rare.) As such, there are basically two ways for a survivor car to exist. First, some survivor cars are merely forgotten about. These mythical “barn finds” have sat in storage for years without being driven. Though exceedingly rare, some survivor cars have sat virtually untouched for half a century or more. A few even have the original tires! The other type of survivor car is more rugged. These are classic cars that have seen regular use, but have not been restored or refurbished in any way over the years. Usually, a classic car owner of one of these survivor cars makes the active choice not to restore the vehicle. Lastly, classic car professionals may use the paint jobs on survivor cars to approximate restoration paint colors.

Are Survivor Cars Valuable?​

Survivor cars certainly can be valuable in the right circumstances. Some collectors prize authenticity above all else, and so certain survivor cars can exceed the value of similar, restored classic vehicles. However, it’s worth remembering that survivor cars are very difficult to find. Even minor alterations made over the years could cause a car to lose its “survivor” status.

Types of Classic Car Restoration​

Very few cars are true “survivors.” Rather, the vast majority of classic vehicles have had some sort of work done on them. In such a scenario, classic car owners can still recreate how these vehicles looked and ran through a restoration. If authenticity is the goal, classic car owners can elect to pursue a restoration that uses only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts that match their vehicle. Depending on the make, model, and year of the car, OEM restorations can be more difficult given the relative scarcity of available parts. (This can also drive up costs too.) On the other hand, many classic car owners decide to restore their vehicle with aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts allow for professionals to upgrade the car in key areas –– such as the engine, suspension, and interior. One of the key benefits of an aftermarket restoration is that it can significantly improve the “driveability” of the car. Cars built in the 1970sand earlier lack many of the modern amenities, like power steering and four-wheel drive, that drivers often take for granted. To close, it’s worth pointing out collectors do not purchase survivor cars for regular use. They may not even be roadworthy –– especially if the tires have not been updated.
 
C

chrlsful

Active Member
Mar 6, 2021
278
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38
Lawrence Swamp, S.Amherst, MA
Nov 28, 2021
#17
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #17
a sales term for used up but stretchin for more dough.
Ol daze? 'a cream puff'
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Nov 28, 2021
#18
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #18
This is Survivor.
View: https://youtu.be/ERT_7u5L0dc
 
C

chrlsful

Active Member
Mar 6, 2021
278
37
38
Lawrence Swamp, S.Amherst, MA
Nov 30, 2021
#19
  • Nov 30, 2021
  • #19
X ac a lee
 
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