1937 Ford vs. 1957 Chevrolet

[TonyM]

I drove my 1937 Ford over to an old co-worker's house to let him get a look at what I have been working on. This guy owns a $70,000 1957 Chevrolet Belair Coupe. His over-restored, though original/stock and correct, 1957 Chevy is in better condition than when it came off the Chevrolet Production Line in 1957.

Lucky for me, he and is wife were kind enough to point out everything that was "wrong" with my car and give me advice on what I should do with it to get it right. They assured me that my car would be awesome when it was "done" (whatever that means). When showed the original 76-year-old interior, the guy's wife asked, "what are you going to do with it?" Wow. Early on I knew that they did not know what they were looking at and could only see other antique cars in comparison to their own over-restored 1957 Chevrolet. It would have been easy to have gotten offended but it was obvious that they had no clue. I was more amused than anything.

Here are some recent photos of my car in comparison to a photo of it just before I purchased it.

[mfagan]

Looks pretty nice to me!!

[FlatheadTed]

every man to his own ,Looks pretty good to me ,Always liked the 37 flat back .

[Brian]

Some people just don't get it do they? These individuals are the ideal Chevrolet owners. Your car is only original once, and yours is looking superb.

[37Benny]

one of the best things about this hobby is the people I meet...the worst thing about this hobby is the people I meet. btw nice '37, my dad had wash.blue one. I agree it's only original once. benny

[34PKUP]

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Where's Dr. Phil when you need him?

[flatmotor40]

Well I wonder if they did the work or as most like that pay for work.That is why I don't really do car shows and stuff like that I just drive the ones that I did like my 55 Chevy.29Model A and the 40 Conv.Mine are not pristine to other people but they are the ones I built except for the interior I don't do interior.About to finish up my 71 Monte Carlo that I bought new then it is on the the 35 Chevy Standard 2dr that I bought last year.What a retirement don't know I I had time to go to work.So don't beat others cars up just enjoy that they have one or more

[TagMan]

In my experience, the "perfectionist" will never understand patina, only trophies. There is no cure. All you can do is ignore them or avoid them.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by TonyM

Lucky for me, he and is wife were kind enough to point out everything that was "wrong" with my car

I hope you pointed out to him and his wife the only thing you see wrong with his car is he put all that money in a Chevy...

Nice '37 Ford.

[Ford coupe]

So many car buffs seem to think(There car is the only car)They are the ones at the car shows that only want to hear comments about thir car,SAD..

[Kube]

Originally Posted by TagMan

In my experience, the "perfectionist" will never understand patina, only trophies. There is no cure. All you can do is ignore them or avoid them.

I am one of those "perfectionists" you may be referring to. I so enjoy the research required and the subsequent efforts to obtain the correct pieces and then refinish / reassemble a vehicle to the highest standards my abilities will allow.
Still, an original car is something to be cherished. I have had a number of them. A few of which I sold so someone could enjoy them for what they are.
Bottom line, not all perfectionists only understand trophies... there are a number of us that simply have that certain drive (curse perhaps?) that won't allow us to accept anything less of ourselves than perfection.
I have never shown a car for others. I have only shown them as a test of sorts of my abilities.
That '37 mentioned in this thread deserves to be left as it is. VERY COOL!

[tiquer]

With the the repo parts available now and there poor quality in general a restoration will never equal a low mile original car.

[Shadetree]

Like someone wrote, "It is only original once". Savor it, as it is a true survivor.

[Mike51Merc]

Kind of reminds me of a lot of Corvette and MOPAR guys. Some call it OCD. I call it ANAL.

What good is a car if you obsess over every little detail and throw a hissy-fit if something is less than perfect?

I weep for their children.

[37slantback]

I have had both a 57 chevy 2 door and a 37 Tudor. My wife and I still like the 37. When I see 57's at the car show I never feel any regret that I sold it. We like older style upholstery and the old flathead. I don't really want a 400hp SBC. Been there and done that.

[tdlmomowers]

Yeah, and I bet you have a lot more fun driving your 37 than they do worrying about their 57 Chevy getting scratched when they load it on the trailer. Some guy asked me once, why didn't you buy a car already finished? I told him I didn't want to buy a car that was done the way a previous owner wanted it done. Ran into a guy at a car show a couple of years back with a very nice 56 Chevy. I asked what engine it had in it. He replied, I don't really know, I bought it that way. Duh.

[3340]

you have a treasure, enjoy it as it is,a 57 Chevrolet is a nice car but to me just more traffic.

[Fibber Mcgee]

I think you should lower your 37 and paint it hot pink with a neon green interior, now that would be cool.... Oh wait that's what happened to all the original VWs in the 90s . Seriously, you have the right idea and it didn't cost you $70000 either.

[bart78]

Those are the worst kind of car people. They are the kind you avoid like the plague at show and where ever else. I have learned that most never did a bit of work on the car. They are usually the ones I laugh about when seeing them try to sell their so called investment. I would take your car any day over some over done anything.

[1949FORD]

To be totally honest, it bugs the crap out of me when people go and point out all the things that are "wrong" on the car. I know that their intentions are to help you, but its the way some of them bring it up. When ever i go to car shows, i always talk to the owners of all sorts of cars to get the story on them. I talk to owners of Ford fanatics all the way up to the rat rodders. And pretty much the response i get from all of them is, "It's my baby, and i love it!" So that's how I've grown to fully respect other peoples taste in automobiles. Even if they are completely chopped and channeled! haha