Patina... the new custom mode at car shows.
Jun 19, 2016 14:34:22 #
I've been pleased with the move to NOT spend tons of money on show cars. Seems to be sweeping the country. The trends are toward:
Unmolested Original category
Survivor category (similar to above)
Rat Rods
Other low cost entry category.
The emphasis is to let the "little guy" participate and win trophies. Interestingly, the survivor category is attracting some cars that are selling for more at Barret-Jackson auctions than restored vehicles.
It's encouraging to see the people with less willingness to commit large dollars to their pastime, and have great fun.
The new thing in the last couple of years is "Patina Finishing"... not costly and very attractive (perhaps for some, I like it)
Yesterday, I went to a small show (it was raining with short periods of sunshine throughout the day).
There were a half dozen "Patina" cars. the object is to find a car that is original, but has the paint worn through, allowing the car to Patina Out. The car is then wet sanded with very fine grit wet/dry paper of 600 to 1200 grit grain. The the car is clear coated and buffed out. There may be some other work like lowering, or custom interior, with the Patina treatment being the main objective of the car at show. Here are a few from yesterday. Taken with my $75 pawn shop Canon Powershot S95 with the mode button "resined" to A. No other modes available and the settings at Large Fine. This is my pocket camera. It it dies, I will hunt down another, possible a 100 or 110.
So Patina..... here:
Unmolested Original category
Survivor category (similar to above)
Rat Rods
Other low cost entry category.
The emphasis is to let the "little guy" participate and win trophies. Interestingly, the survivor category is attracting some cars that are selling for more at Barret-Jackson auctions than restored vehicles.
It's encouraging to see the people with less willingness to commit large dollars to their pastime, and have great fun.
The new thing in the last couple of years is "Patina Finishing"... not costly and very attractive (perhaps for some, I like it)
Yesterday, I went to a small show (it was raining with short periods of sunshine throughout the day).
There were a half dozen "Patina" cars. the object is to find a car that is original, but has the paint worn through, allowing the car to Patina Out. The car is then wet sanded with very fine grit wet/dry paper of 600 to 1200 grit grain. The the car is clear coated and buffed out. There may be some other work like lowering, or custom interior, with the Patina treatment being the main objective of the car at show. Here are a few from yesterday. Taken with my $75 pawn shop Canon Powershot S95 with the mode button "resined" to A. No other modes available and the settings at Large Fine. This is my pocket camera. It it dies, I will hunt down another, possible a 100 or 110.
So Patina..... here:
Jun 19, 2016 14:39:30 #
Jun 19, 2016 14:39:55 #
Jun 19, 2016 15:10:34 #
Really cool that they've created categories where non-millionaires can enjoy and compete.
20 or 30 years ago my wife (then girlfriend) and I went to Pebble Beach for the Concours d'Elegance. Not sure the typical millionaire could have afforded to compete. We were looking at the trunk of one (an actual leather steamer trunk of course) and somebody pointed out that all the tiny brass screws that held the metal edges on, had to have their slots in perfect alignment. You could have stretched a thread through the slots and not touched the sides of the slots. Wonder how many hours it took to get that perfect? Interesting but obviously Obsessive Compulsive to a clearly sick extent. They're just cars after all. Much nicer there's a new category for folks who simply like old cars.
20 or 30 years ago my wife (then girlfriend) and I went to Pebble Beach for the Concours d'Elegance. Not sure the typical millionaire could have afforded to compete. We were looking at the trunk of one (an actual leather steamer trunk of course) and somebody pointed out that all the tiny brass screws that held the metal edges on, had to have their slots in perfect alignment. You could have stretched a thread through the slots and not touched the sides of the slots. Wonder how many hours it took to get that perfect? Interesting but obviously Obsessive Compulsive to a clearly sick extent. They're just cars after all. Much nicer there's a new category for folks who simply like old cars.
Jun 19, 2016 15:36:08 #
Kuzano wrote:
I've been pleased with the move to NOT spend tons ... (show quote)
Good post! I like your photos and you thoughts re trend.
Phil
Jun 19, 2016 15:42:50 #
To each his own, they look un-done to me, like they need a coat of paint. 20 coats of candy apple lacquer are not required for a sparkling show car finish any more. And that much lacquer will crack if you look at it funny.
A few years ago there were a couple of Lambos at the Chicago Auto Show with matte finishes, one blue and one... I forget. Looked ghastly to me, and everyone around me at the time.
A few years ago there were a couple of Lambos at the Chicago Auto Show with matte finishes, one blue and one... I forget. Looked ghastly to me, and everyone around me at the time.
Jun 19, 2016 15:48:25 #
Sounds more like a spinoff of the RatRod craze.
Ratrods are after all custom cars made from old or custom made parts but left to look rustic.
I have a little trouble believing that two identical cars, one in patina and one fully restored, with its thousands of hours of labor involved in a nut/bolt restoration, could even remotely go for the same price or more.
SS
Ratrods are after all custom cars made from old or custom made parts but left to look rustic.
I have a little trouble believing that two identical cars, one in patina and one fully restored, with its thousands of hours of labor involved in a nut/bolt restoration, could even remotely go for the same price or more.
SS
Jun 19, 2016 15:51:51 #
There was a British TV show where they purposely made a brand new paint job look old and worn-out.
Maybe it's just me but I don't see the reason for doing that?
Maybe it's just me but I don't see the reason for doing that?
Jun 19, 2016 16:32:51 #
Actually survivor cars are at every price point. The more notable are the more expensive of course.
I saw a rat rod that was a sort of team effort. Made with 1/2 dozen differing body panels. looked rather like my body feels at times. All found goods or non used items or traded from the guys shop. Ford 260 with Cobra goodies. It was paper weight and was scary fast.
J. R.
I saw a rat rod that was a sort of team effort. Made with 1/2 dozen differing body panels. looked rather like my body feels at times. All found goods or non used items or traded from the guys shop. Ford 260 with Cobra goodies. It was paper weight and was scary fast.
J. R.
Jun 20, 2016 12:27:35 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Sounds more like a spinoff of the RatRod craze.
Ratrods are after all custom cars made from old or custom made parts but left to look rustic.
I have a little trouble believing that two identical cars, one in patina and one fully restored, with its thousands of hours of labor involved in a nut/bolt restoration, could even remotely go for the same price or more.
SS
Ratrods are after all custom cars made from old or custom made parts but left to look rustic.
I have a little trouble believing that two identical cars, one in patina and one fully restored, with its thousands of hours of labor involved in a nut/bolt restoration, could even remotely go for the same price or more.
SS
Just in case you got an implication from my post, I do not consider that the Patina cars would ever reach prices of a fully restored relatively rare car.
However, a "found" unrestored original that can be cleaned up to near new condition without full restoration procedures (ultimate barn finds), will occasionally bring, at collector car auctions, prices matching or exceeding what the full restoration vehicle will sell for. This has been happening in collector car market for some time now.
Patina has no real value. I simply bring it up as a relatively new show car feature. Along with Rat Rods, the Patina Effect, allows the average car buff to participate in special categories that are affordable.
Many of the cars I shoot on weekends, car shows just within 50 miles of my home(9-12 per summer) , exceed investments of $100,000 to $250,000 dollars. That's not a game the average Joe can play in.
Rat Rod and Patina car categories are growing at shows and compete amongst themselves so that participation can be spread out over a more feasible cost base, bringing more new enthusiast into the scene.
Interestingly the black 40 Ford Sedan with under 18k documented miles, is also documented as the worlds lowest mileage 40 ford. The exterior and interior are stock unrestored. However, the car is current technology underneath with a Chevrolet power and drive train, AT, PS, PB and AC. Still under 18k on the odometer.
I don't do many vintage or purist shows. Can't take that many Anal Retentive's in one place at a time. The politics of the Concourse circuit is maddening. Judges are released from special mental institutions just for those events.
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