Survivors - Where is the line drawn?

[Shevelle]

I'm curious as to what the opinions are as to what classifies a car as a "Survivor". Beyond the obvious criteria such as original engine, trans, rear, paint, interior. What about the other components, such as shocks, batteries, hoses, belts, exhaust, tires...things that might require replacement over the years. For example, if a car is completely original but the exhaust needs to be replaced and that is done with correct replacement such as Gardner, or the battery needs to be replaced and it is done with a Restoration battery, or the tires....is it no longer a survivor? What about maintenance? I see survivor cars that look like they have never seen a car wash or vacuum cleaner...or the engine compartment has never been dusted off or wiped clean. If the car has been kept clean, nicks in the paint touched up, the engine compartment detailed, rips or tears in the upholstery repaired, does that remove survivor status?

It just seems to me that there is a point there where a survivor car didn't really survive. Like an untouched car that has everything original, but a lot of things are in bad shape and should be fixed or replaced. If you have to push it from point A to point B, doesn't look to me like it survived too well.

I'm just curious where the line is drawn.

[1969z280]

Jacquie:

I think alot of it is in the eye of the beholder. Bloomington has been trying to get the All Survivor Show off of the ground the last two years and I have participated in both because I think this is an important aspect of the hobby. The first year, I brought a 4,300 mile 1973 Formula Firebird that was in "as delivered" condition. It is nearly perfect. Last year, I brought a 1967 GTO Convertible with 34,000 miles that has had a couple of blow-ins. However, it still has it's complete original drivetrain, interior, top, glass, trim, etc. I don't believe that anyone would want to restore that car.

They were cars and they got driven. The roads of America are not exactly the best place to preserve a beautiful antique. But some of them survived. Wear items not always excluded. My 72 8,800 mile Corvette still has original tires, belts and hoses. My 4,259 mile 65 GTO is virtually untouched including the tires. But the shocks are leaking and it has a Gardner Exhaust.

JMO, Ed

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm curious as to what the opinions are as to what classifies a car as a "Survivor".......................
I'm just curious where the line is drawn.

[/ QUOTE ]

Seems to be more like a compound curve than a 'line'!

[x Baldwin Motion]

Super thread finder man; wasn't this discussed last winter ?

It's a great can of worms. I think if you have original paint and drive train you are a survivor. Maintenance and some interior parts must be replaced when worn. JMHO

[travlnz28]

Paint, interior and major driveline components must be completely original. Normal maintenance items (battery, tires, hoses) excepted. JMO.

[SIR-VIVOR]

Always fun to find NOS parts for the replacement items if you can. Great piece!

[Lynn]

My car "survived" a serious beating by a teenager.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The only true survivors are...Cumby, Tibor and Howie


and in a couple more years..Schoney

[Bill Pritchard]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm just curious where the line is drawn.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, there is no 'line'....everyone seems to have a different idea of exactly what constitutes survivor status

[MultiMopars]

If I were going to write a desciption for a car show judging in order to qualify it would be:

1. 80% original paint. You have to allow for an early on painted panel due to a large scratch or panel ding.

2. Original interior componants.

3. Original drive train.

4. Wear componants such as belts, hoses, tires, plugs, exhaust systems, and plug wires would not have to be original but should be original type products. Most of these thing simpy don't last in our envirovent simply because of age and if left original and driven or run can be the cause of serious damage to the car.

5. Other componants such as carbs, air cleaners, alternators, v.reg., starters, water pumps, rads., exhaust manifolds, etc. would be original parts.

This would be the requirements for admission to a survivor class.

If they were going to be judged in competition in this special class there would be a sliding scale for the condition of these items with some type of "special" points awarded for the trailer queens that are not driven. However these points would be "extra" points that would not necessarily the difference in winning the class. This would be done to encourage driving the cars. After all, that is what they are for. The trailer queen cars that get the "extra" points would recieve a "special" award because of their condition.

I did this quickly and certainly have overlooked some things that others will think of. Just my OPINION on this subject. Now, what did I overlook.