I think Ian has come as close as anyone to expressing what I meant by "but..." - I had several tries but gave up.
Seems to me attitudes have come full circle since I "joined the movement" at the end of the 70's. Back then I felt there was a general rejection of the crimes* of the 50's and 60's and opinions were leaning toward conservation and preservation of a fast-dwindling bank of assets. There seem to be a lot of threads on A7F now by folk who view the A7 as inadequate in various ways and feel it must be improved. I don't entirely reject that view, those intending to use their cars in earnest on modern roads must give some thought to reliability and safety. But to my eye many mods are done for the sake of something to do or based on erroneous preconceptions about the originals. We see some wonderful specials and recreations, but I'm afraid they are the tip of a great big iceberg and many creations might better have been left on the fag packet.
*I can't say that without also alluding to the current fashion for re-writing and apologising for history. Just DON'T.
What has been has been, and should be told as it was. Back in the 50's A7's were abundant and fair game just as - ooh I don't know - Nissan Micras are now. In generations to come we may be lambasted for sending Micras to the scrapyard but I will shed few tears for mine. These are only 'crimes' when viewed through today's spectacles; and those weren't around back then...
Seems to me attitudes have come full circle since I "joined the movement" at the end of the 70's. Back then I felt there was a general rejection of the crimes* of the 50's and 60's and opinions were leaning toward conservation and preservation of a fast-dwindling bank of assets. There seem to be a lot of threads on A7F now by folk who view the A7 as inadequate in various ways and feel it must be improved. I don't entirely reject that view, those intending to use their cars in earnest on modern roads must give some thought to reliability and safety. But to my eye many mods are done for the sake of something to do or based on erroneous preconceptions about the originals. We see some wonderful specials and recreations, but I'm afraid they are the tip of a great big iceberg and many creations might better have been left on the fag packet.
*I can't say that without also alluding to the current fashion for re-writing and apologising for history. Just DON'T.
What has been has been, and should be told as it was. Back in the 50's A7's were abundant and fair game just as - ooh I don't know - Nissan Micras are now. In generations to come we may be lambasted for sending Micras to the scrapyard but I will shed few tears for mine. These are only 'crimes' when viewed through today's spectacles; and those weren't around back then...