Here in France, we have a concept called 'patrimoine', which translates best as 'heritage' or 'inheritance' (litrally, paternal inheritance). It has many aspects, but the one of interest here is that of cultural and industrial heritage.
This is something on which more and more emphasis is being placed, as we come to understand how much we have already lost. The current view is trending more and more towards the idea that everything is worth saving and that the focus should be on the simple, everyday objects to which nobody gives a second thought, rather than the exotica, which, by it's very nature, will tend to be preserved anyway.
Something that is commonplace now, will be seen as just that, common, so there will be litle effort to preserve it and by the time someone notices that they are all dissapearing, it may well be too late.
This applies to everything, but focusing on cars:
How many cars from the 80s and early 90s do you still see on the roads? How many of those are actually in a condition that could be considered 'restorable' (anything is possible, but we're talking within reasonable means)?
I can't remember the last time I saw an Opel Kadette 'E' (Mk2 Astra), there is one Ford Sierra that I see from time to time, not seen a square Escort for years. Any Fiat from before the mid '90s?
'Home' marques have fared a bit better, but I can't remembe when I last saw a Citroen Visa, or any numbered Renault other than a 4,5,19 or 21.
Common cars appear to go through a cycle:
New => Used => Cheap => Banger => Cherished => Classic
The thing is, few, if any, make it past the 'cheap' or 'banger' stages, most will have been used daily and be quite simply worn out by the time they are 15-20 years old, at which point they will be scrapped or 'driven into the ground' (and then scrapped).
Compare that to a more prestigious vehicle, which was desirable when new, still desirable when used and probably skipped straight to the 'cherished' stage.
If nobody thinks to save the 'common' cars, one day there won't be any left to save. This is a modern day issue, there don't seem to be so many cars getting 'forgotten' in barns and garages anymore and monocoque construction is far less durable than older designs with a seperate chassis.
Some marques and models appear to be more resistant to this than others, either by construction, cultural following or a bit of both. The Fiat 500, VW Beetle, Citroen 2CV, Mini all attained a cult following while still in production, so their survival is assured.
The Mk2 Golf, for reasons that are beyond my understanding, seems to live on, forever...*
So I guess what I'm trying to say is that somebody has to save the 'common' cars, otherwise there won't be any left, it's not a matter of monetary value, but historical value.
My local club owns what is believed to be the last Citroen Type 29U truck in existance. What's it worth? Probably far less than the hours that went into restoring it, but it is the only one.
However, this is going a little away from the original question, SB1500 wants to keep his Panda because he likes it, not so much as a weekend toy, but as a daily driver. I'd suggest maybe, finding the best, most rust-free shell possible and stripping and rebuilding that, with new parts where possible and taking the time to correct the 'mistakes' Fiat made in the interests of cost saving. At the end of it, you'll have a car you know inside out, that should be good for many years to come and you get to keep driving your current one in the meantime.
*I come from a family of VW fans and have married into another, but I just never got 'it'.
This is something on which more and more emphasis is being placed, as we come to understand how much we have already lost. The current view is trending more and more towards the idea that everything is worth saving and that the focus should be on the simple, everyday objects to which nobody gives a second thought, rather than the exotica, which, by it's very nature, will tend to be preserved anyway.
Something that is commonplace now, will be seen as just that, common, so there will be litle effort to preserve it and by the time someone notices that they are all dissapearing, it may well be too late.
This applies to everything, but focusing on cars:
How many cars from the 80s and early 90s do you still see on the roads? How many of those are actually in a condition that could be considered 'restorable' (anything is possible, but we're talking within reasonable means)?
I can't remember the last time I saw an Opel Kadette 'E' (Mk2 Astra), there is one Ford Sierra that I see from time to time, not seen a square Escort for years. Any Fiat from before the mid '90s?
'Home' marques have fared a bit better, but I can't remembe when I last saw a Citroen Visa, or any numbered Renault other than a 4,5,19 or 21.
Common cars appear to go through a cycle:
New => Used => Cheap => Banger => Cherished => Classic
The thing is, few, if any, make it past the 'cheap' or 'banger' stages, most will have been used daily and be quite simply worn out by the time they are 15-20 years old, at which point they will be scrapped or 'driven into the ground' (and then scrapped).
Compare that to a more prestigious vehicle, which was desirable when new, still desirable when used and probably skipped straight to the 'cherished' stage.
If nobody thinks to save the 'common' cars, one day there won't be any left to save. This is a modern day issue, there don't seem to be so many cars getting 'forgotten' in barns and garages anymore and monocoque construction is far less durable than older designs with a seperate chassis.
Some marques and models appear to be more resistant to this than others, either by construction, cultural following or a bit of both. The Fiat 500, VW Beetle, Citroen 2CV, Mini all attained a cult following while still in production, so their survival is assured.
The Mk2 Golf, for reasons that are beyond my understanding, seems to live on, forever...*
So I guess what I'm trying to say is that somebody has to save the 'common' cars, otherwise there won't be any left, it's not a matter of monetary value, but historical value.
My local club owns what is believed to be the last Citroen Type 29U truck in existance. What's it worth? Probably far less than the hours that went into restoring it, but it is the only one.
However, this is going a little away from the original question, SB1500 wants to keep his Panda because he likes it, not so much as a weekend toy, but as a daily driver. I'd suggest maybe, finding the best, most rust-free shell possible and stripping and rebuilding that, with new parts where possible and taking the time to correct the 'mistakes' Fiat made in the interests of cost saving. At the end of it, you'll have a car you know inside out, that should be good for many years to come and you get to keep driving your current one in the meantime.
*I come from a family of VW fans and have married into another, but I just never got 'it'.
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