Topic: A good definition of a "Survivor" car.

[priceless]

What is a good definition of a "Survivor" car. I'm having a friendly dispute among a few of us guys in our Mustang club.

What's your definition?

[CharlesTurner]

I'd say a car that looks less than 5 years old, condition-wise and retains a high-degree of original parts and finishes.

[rodster]

One of those topics that will never come to a conclusion.    I asked the same question on another forum awhile back and there are many viewpoints, all of which could be valid.

Cars I've seen called survivors are cars stored in a climate controlled environment, with low-to-no miles,  as well as a rusted hulk pulled from the bottom of a lake.

Both represent the ends of the 'survivor' spectrum IMHO.

Good luck settling the 'dispute'. 

 

[jwc66k]

I think a Mustang dragged from the watery depths and then restored is closer to a "survivor" than a garage queen.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

My definition would be same as a nice unrestored original  car. Any Mustang still around today that is mostly together could fall into someones else's definition just not mine

[priceless]

That's what I am thinking. unrestored original retaining most, if not all, the original equipment, even the paint,  minus hoses, belts, tires, battery, etc....the preventive maintenance stuff.

[Rsanter]

I think any car that is mostly original, unrestored, unmodified and still in good enough shapento just leave alone is a survivor car.
It can show age, I'm ok with that

Bob

[Bob Gaines]

I think any car that is mostly original, unrestored, unmodified and still in good enough shapento just leave alone is a survivor car.
It can show age, I'm ok with that

Bob

This part of your definition is a loaded question because apparently many find it hard to under stand what the definition of mostly original ,unrestored, unmodified even means.  I was excited for the 2013 SAAC convention because there were 4 unrestored 67 Shelby's I had to judge. The criteria is very basic and similar to your expectations . It ended up one was legitimate ,one was very marginally so with many replacemate parts ,partial repaint etc.  The other two cars were all highly messed with cars with total repaints engines pulled and detailed , underside sprayed black etc. Things that you would think any half way intelligent car person would understand and see. the owners were clueless.  This happens frequently at the differnt Mustang/Shelby venues no matter how visible and available you make the criteria. So no matter what criteria you set ,it seems that someone will always have their own different interpretation of the definition it seems.

[Mike_B_SVT]

That's what I am thinking. unrestored original retaining most, if not all, the original equipment, even the paint,  minus hoses, belts, tires, battery, etc....the preventive maintenance stuff.

Personally, I agree with the above on what I consider a survivor car.

IMO, you have to ask "what did it survive?" to earn the name "survivor"?  A car that has always been treated like a collectible and stored away with little or no use can hardly be said to have even lived the life of a car, let alone "survived" it.

I see a "survivor car" as a car that has been used like a car, but cared for as a cherished object.  It shows signs of use without being "used up".
It has been maintained properly, and repaired with correct OEM parts when possible (darn obsolete parts!).  It may have been spot painted if it was in a minor fender bender, but has not had a complete repaint.  It isn't rusted, because it has been cleaned and maintained, and stored properly when possible.  It does not require restoration.

*huh... first post, but long time lurker.  I thought I would have posted before now, LOL!

[priceless]

Welcome Mike. Good observations. And it makes sense. 

[ptosborn1111]

Does this mean that my 71' Boss 351 with 32000 original miles, original interior (except the radio and speakers), original drive train (minus original distributor, carb and ignition), 1 paint job, and was bought from original owner.... in all of your opinions could be a survivor? I have been around the block on this issue 100 + times and even the guy I bought the car from (he is mostly a Shelby restorer, and some bosses plus countless others) says it is a survivor. When I talk to a lot of guys, I most disappointingly get  the feeling that I was placed in the mislead category. I guess my vision of "SURVIVIOR" is a car that may have been through a few owners but has never been touched; mechanically, body, suspension, interior, no matter how many miles. Is that asking for too much?

[J_Speegle]

Does this mean that my 71' Boss 351 with 32000 original miles, original interior (except the radio and speakers), original drive train (minus original distributor, carb and ignition), 1 paint job,...................

I don't use the term  - so it makes the answer easy

With your description to me it's a "tweener"  - see one of the other threads    Just me

[Bob Gaines]

Does this mean that my 71' Boss 351 with 32000 original miles, original interior (except the radio and speakers), original drive train (minus original distributor, carb and ignition), 1 paint job, and was bought from original owner.... in all of your opinions could be a survivor? I have been around the block on this issue 100 + times and even the guy I bought the car from (he is mostly a Shelby restorer, and some bosses plus countless others) says it is a survivor. When I talk to a lot of guys, I most disappointingly get  the feeling that I was placed in the mislead category. I guess my vision of "SURVIVIOR" is a car that may have been through a few owners but has never been touched; mechanically, body, suspension, interior, no matter how many miles. Is that asking for too much?

By YOUR own definition it does not qualify as a survivor based on the discription you gave so I am not sure how you were mislead? I am with Jeff it sounds like a Tweener (inbetween).

[workhorse]

Clearly the term is subjective. Should there be the occassion where one of these cars, a "tweener" not quite a "survivor" by someones definition arrives at an MCA show, what class do the fall into?

[J_Speegle]

Clearly the term is subjective. Should there be the occassion where one of these cars, a "tweener" not quite a "survivor" by someones definition arrives at an MCA show, what class do the fall into?

Its always up to the  owner what class a car is entered in - at least at MCA and SAAC based on my experience. The woner looks at the opinions and chooses either on what award they which to try for, what kind of feedback they looking for or one where they have the greatest possibility (in their opinion) of the highest award.

MCA offers allot of classes but they can only carve out a limited number of possibilities just like any other organization. Currently there is no class just for the cars that aren't unrestored, are not restored and or are not daily drivers. OF course winning a $20 trophy is not everyone's goal and those owners just want to display their car and enjoy the day. But there is an effort to make a class  for the "tweeners" - you'll find a discussion about that in the MCA Judging area of this site


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