Your point is very valid... but...

A car that is original is a very nice starting point. Gets very difficult if you start with a car that is 'shot', and been monkeyed with by 40 or 50 years worth of previous owners. Some parts that may be missing might be very hard to find.

If you know what is original, and have a good back stock of parts, then yes... go ahead and tear into a project that you know what to expect of. But for someone who's never owned a given old car, it'd be much better to start with a complete, rust free, fully assembled car. Though certainly it wouldn't need to be as nice as the one in the auction.

Your case is different... being that the car has sentimental value to you more than it will ever be worth monetarily... then you just do what you gotta do.

With the car in the auction... It is very nice. I would personally just maintain that one and drive it. If I wanted one to restore, I'd try to find something that's never been touched...ie, original color (preferably original paint condition be damned), original wiring including 6v.

As it is, I've got one 544 project for the future in my garage. If I ever get to it, I will not be putting it back to stock. I'd rather do some of the upgrades I've seen here... especially to Virgil and V2.

someday.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂