Restored or driver?

[Armyvet25]

regardless of rarity, which do you prefer, personally, a driver, one I don't have to trailer or worry about devaluation with my personal add-ons or the occasional rock chip etc. I understand some buy mostly rare cars as an investment, but where's the fun??
I can afford a certain degree of high end but nothing puts a smile on my face faster than an old primed hot rod for some reason.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I've owned both, and have always preferred drivers. My last three were technically trailer queens, not by choice. All of them had options and/or colors I wanted, and I drove all of them.

The current one had history with me. Never seen a trailer, would have preferred it in driver condition. It would have cost less, and that's how I remembered it from back in the day. IMO, they are not great investments, even at the top end of the market. Did it for love, not money.

 

[hemi*guy]

Numbers matching Hemi Charger , it sat in my dad’s backyard for 30 + years before i had it restored. I drive it as much as my schedule allows. Its not going to be garage art as long as i’m around. Of course I hope nothing happens to it while I have it out but what is the sense of having it if you dont use it.

 

[71RRHI]

I prefer nice driver type cars. I like being able to make changes and not having to worry about hurting the value.

 

[XS22J8R]

I have both, and after years in the hobby, I definitely have figured out how I like to roll. My Challenger convertible and my T top Magnum are both very nice cars, but not too nice to drive. I did a concours resto on my T/A. During the fair weather months, I take the convertible and the Magnum out to cruises and local shows at least once a week and enjoy every minute. With the T/A, I go out to storage facility to get my trailer once in a rare while, drag it home, load the car, take it somewhere to display, then later take the car home, unload, then have to drag the trailer back to the storage place. I take the car out once in a rare while to a cruise near my house. What a pain. I put my heart and soul and many years into the resto and I'm very proud of it, but I really don't get to enjoy it much.
Doing a ground up restoration is very exciting, but often they end up being a dog catching its tail situation once its done!
To be honest, it would be great if some museum would like to display my T/A on loan, then I could use the space in my garage it takes for one of my other cars.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Nice driver type cars also seem to be the hardest to find. I think their owners tend to keep them until the bitter end. I've known a few who did. The high end cars often get passed around like trading cards among the champagne and caviar set, and junk always seems readily available.

 

[chargervert]

Everyone dreams of doing a high end OEM nut and bolt restoration, and for some that is fine. I have been leaning towards building drivers over trailer queens. I don't have many that are rare enough to warrant a full restoration, and I don't want any car that I can't drive. The stress of keeping a nice driver safe from morons on the road or even when parked is enough for me to deal with.

 

[Belvedere408]

I have 1 B body Mopar I drive around as much as I can. It'll never be fully restored, but it's in nice condition.

 

[dadsbee]

Is there a difference????

 

[Fran Blacker]

If I was buying it would be a really nice driver. Use to drive my car all over 1978 until 2005 sat until 2015. On the first trip out almost got side swiped guy was a few feet when he turn back on his side of the road. My car is a driver it's fairly rare, entry level Heml convertible 1 of 27.

 

[ckessel]

For me, drivers. Trailer/numbers matching garage queens hold no interest to me. My 67 wagon is a DD, the 65 when I get it operational, will be a DD plus be run at track events/autocross etc. I'm building it with that as its focus.

 

[#41]

The older I get the further my taste has devolved into original or rat cars. It started when I completed my first resto and became hesitant to drive it, so I sold it and have not looked back. While I have a couple cars that I have had for decades, I most enjoy picking up other dilapidated or stalled projects, improving them, driving for a couple years and then moving on to the next one. I'm my own version of "Roadworthy Rescues", but probably not as talented.

 

[Hey-O]

If I can't drive it, I don't want it. I've had cars that were as clean on the bottom as they were on top. I'd run them all day and when I got home I'd wash and detail the bottom first, then the top. I'd never do it again. Let The Horses Run!!!

 

[dadsbee]

If I can't drive it, I don't want it. I've had cars that were as clean on the bottom as they were on top. I'd run them all day and when I got home I'd wash and detail the bottom first, then the top. I'd never do it again. Let The Horses Run!!!

Yep... just cars to me. Drive'm..

 

[64BEL]

Mine won't be restored unless the next owner does it. I can't justify the cost, and I think it's more interesting the way it is, anyway. Of course, I wish the sheet metal was in better condition, but this is how it is. If it were better, I most likely wouldn't have been able to afford to buy it. I've always felt lucky to have found it the way it was - a complete, running, 3 owner, original Hemi 4-speed car with documentation. I drive it 100 miles one way to Mopar shows in the Milwaukee area a couple of times a year. I also enjoy not being burdened by the fear of dings or scratches. Something I would have anxiety about if it had a nice paint job.

 

[Armyvet25]

Mine won't be restored unless the next owner does it. I can't justify the cost, and I think it's more interesting the way it is, anyway. Of course, I wish the sheet metal was in better condition, but this is how it is. If it were better, I most likely wouldn't have been able to afford to buy it. I've always felt lucky to have found it the way it was - a complete, running, 3 owner, original Hemi 4-speed car with documentation. I drive it 100 miles one way to Mopar shows in the Milwaukee area a couple of times a year. I also enjoy not being burdened by the fear of dings or scratches. Something I would have anxiety about if it had a nice paint job.

View attachment 1809207

nice, I almost pulled the trigger on a project Belvedere of the same year.

 

[Skytrooper]

Cars are made to be driven. I will always take a driver over a show car. Less worries, and a lot more fun.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Driving them is the fun part. I just don’t use them as daily drivers, and only take them out on nice sunny days. Keep them detailed and park as far away as possible to prevent door dings. Keep them garaged and clean, and they will never disappoint. Good wax and lots of it does wonders to protect the paint. Jay Leno drives his cars, but he has **** you money.

 

[Kern Dog]

This subject is one that has a variety of opinions.
I've never taken a car to the point where it would be a 100 point "restoration". I've repainted some, changed colors in a few, reupholstered, rebuilt engines and suspensions and stuff but never cared to build a car that is too pristine to drive.
Just an opinion but that seems to be a Big Money thing. If I had big money, maybe it would be nice to own some cars that are restored to as close to stock as possible.
In the meantime, I do enjoy a car that looks decent, is reliable, one that rumbles and shakes me a bit too. I see cars at shows with a few scuffs and scrapes and I relate to them because they too drive their cars.

 

[Runcharger]

For me if I don't drive it, I won't own it no matter how nice it is. I never have tried to impress anyone, it's what makes me happy, not what impresses someone else.