I personally respect those who are obsessed with "original" as it takes a lot of time, effort, money and skill to do well. That said and completely IMO, this is exceptionally boring. It doesn't require a lot of imagination to put a car back to original so long as you know what that is; of course the challenge is "how" original which is where you people who research and know/which exact screw, bolt, etc is correct for a specific application. These are typically also the people who "swear" something didn't come with something and are too often proven wrong. Again, I am not hating on this aspect of the hobby, I respect their dedication and to a degree influence on the hobby. What I do hate about this particular aspect is the aspiring "experts" who love to walk around car shows and tell everyone what is wrong with their car, or look at the fender tag and spout off code blah blah and how that vehicle either should or shouldn't have it. Even worse are those who have made a living off of it and are touted as experts; but have been proven to be wrong on numerous occasions to the tune of lots of $$. Again, not hating or bad mouthing anyone in particular; just saying that when you profess to be an expert in something as crazy and Mopars where basically anyone with enough money could have almost anything; I would have to wonder if they could not get a real job or not. Knowledge of the hobby is great and is highly encouraged, but this obsession with originality is confusing. Those of us who grew up when these cars were new can attest to the fact that little if any remained "original" very long. Usually the first stop from the dealer was the speedshop for headers, wheels and tires.
Once again IMO; the real interesting vehicles are those who are built by the owner. Thought through, components sourced, systems designed, etc. For me, this is the true hobby. Making something as it was 30-40 years ago is fine for a museum but on the street it should be functional, handle well, stop, go, etc. Not that an original car cannot do these things or be made to do them (using original parts of course); but with the advancements in technology and aftermarket parts these cars are made better than when new. If it were not for restomods and the like (choose whatever term you like to describe to infuse an old car with new technology); many of the aftermarket to include the resto parts so cherished by the "original" crowd would not exist. Subsequently without the "original" crowd the rest of us wouldn't know that the Tuff wheel in your prized Challenger was incorrect...
Sorry for the soap box but this has been a bit of an issue for me. I used to laugh at the Vette guys for this exact position; now we have it in the Mopar world. If you love original cars and the thought of restoring one to this condition does it for you; god bless you (by God I mean whatever deity you look to for guidance and inspiration); this just isn't my personal desire. I saw, rode in and drove them when they were new or near new; cool as it was then, a restomod or modified original is far better. Anyone who looks at any of my cars and says something like "it shouldn't have this or should have that", my response is "funny, I didn't see you name on the title"... just saying...
