The "modernising" trend

[CAR]

Hasving had two Rover 75 estate guises one a Connessiuer amd a the other MG .................I can definately rate the 75 version better trimmed out and lovely styling. The diesels are bullet proof aswell.

Pipe and slippers for Mr.Godfrey please

And Mr Potter................

However. would the Big Sixes not have been pipe and slipper cars in their day?.

ummmm.....perhaps, the pi was always the 'executive jet' on the road, more thrusting go getter than the 2000 owners. (I'll get me coat then )

[scooters]

I for one struggle to understand the 'modernising' trend. I can see why it happens though. Speaking as someone who runs both modern and classic or older vehicles I have a lot of experience in mechanical repairs from 1950s technology through to modern TDCis.

Apart from the obvious advantages of electronic ignition over the electro/mechanical system an EFI system is as prone to fault as a carb system, and I would go further to say that when EFI systems fail they can require a huge amount of time and or money to fix. Damp in a connector can immobilize a car as effectively as a knackered head but can take hours of swearing to trace. New doesn't necessarily mean better or more reliable.

An acquaintance of mine replaced a Ford Cologne engine in his Granada with an Ecotech TDCi engine from a 2005 Mondeo. This he said 'was to make the car easier to maintain and cheaper to run'. I moonlight as a diesel specialist and spent 4 days of time fixing a problem with the TDCi - built up gunk in the ERV and inlet had caused the engine to over fuel - on top of this there was bacteria in the fuel system from a growth in the filter. The whole fuel system from the filter forward had to he manually cleaned out, the air intakes and turbo system the same. A disgusting and horrible job. The filter was replaced as was the Cam position sensor. I then reprogrammed the injectors with my laptop and OBD2 cable. He asked me for my advice moving forward and I told him he would be better off sourcing a cologne engine and refitting it. A more reliable unit that would also make the car worth what it should be worth.

I understand modernising to make a car, especially a daily driver, more reliable, safer and easier to see and perhaps to address brakes and handling which could be downright dangerous in modern traffic (early Morris Minor back axle conversion is a great example of this). As I use my cars as vehicles I will usually upgrade the ignition, the brake pad material, the bushes, the alternator, the headlights and fit seat belts fore and aft. But I really don't see the need to mess around with anything else. If you want to drive a modern car ....buy a modern car.

However I equally have little patience with the originality before everything else stance. OK for a classic that comes out the garage twice a year for polish and shows but not for a classic used as a daily driver.

[owen1183]

Some modernising can be a good thing though..... I have a 1970's sharp (or possibly radio mobile cant remember!) radio, which has been modified to accept an ipod / generic audio source with 3mm headphoone jack.

Retains originality & lets me play my choice of music, not just listen to MW & AM radio stations!!!

[englishbull]

Some modernising can be a good thing though..... I have a 1970's sharp (or possibly radio mobile cant remember!) radio, which has been modified to accept an ipod / generic audio source with 3mm headphoone jack.

Retains originality & lets me play my choice of music, not just listen to MW & AM radio stations!!!

Radio???????????????..................surely the engine is music in itself Owen

[owen1183]

Some modernising can be a good thing though..... I have a 1970's sharp (or possibly radio mobile cant remember!) radio, which has been modified to accept an ipod / generic audio source with 3mm headphoone jack.

Retains originality & lets me play my choice of music, not just listen to MW & AM radio stations!!!

Radio???????????????..................surely the engine is music in itself Owen

Well obviously I only listen to it when its parked up and im waiting for the concours Judge!!!!

I have a terrible habbit, I must have the radio or music on when driving, its the first thing I do before pulling off, in any car!!

[wild bill]

The first thing you do before WHAT????

[englishbull]

The first thing you do before WHAT????

[owen1183]

The first thing you do before WHAT????

Maybe I should have said driving off!!!!

[murcod]

A friend had a 2500 back around 1996 that was fitted with a 300ZX twin turbo V6 engine. Needless to say it was fairly quick....

I guess I'm an example of someone doing this "modernising" to my MkII 2.5PI. Different engine + gearbox, improved suspension, larger wheels + low profile tyres, larger brakes etc.

[David Withers]

I for one struggle to understand the 'modernising' trend. <snip> However I equally have little patience with the originality before everything else stance. OK for a classic that comes out the garage twice a year for polish and shows but not for a classic used as a daily driver.

I'm in that same camp. My 1972 ex-PI has some parts (engine, wheels, etc) from a 1975 Triumph 2500S so is not original, but EFI for example would be totally out of place for me.

My son showed me a page on Facebook for enthusiasts of the Triumph 2000 range, where fitting EFI was recommended so as to "go modern". But what's the point? If the owner of a classic Triumph aspires to "go modern", why doesn't he sell his Triumph and actually buy a "modern"?

I can't understand why some owners don't enjoy running their Triumphs more-or-less as they were run in the 1970s. That's what classic motoring should be about, not trying in vain to make their old car emulate a 21st century model.