Preservation versus Restoration

[KevinHann]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

I'm going to stick my head above the parapet and voice one of my per-peeves when it comes to MV restorations. Many really nicely finished vehicles I've seen over the years fall down when it comes to an authentic set of markings. I've seen telephone numbers as registration numbers on a jeep (the owner confirmed it!), and a hodge-podge of AIF, and AMF markings co-mingled, let alone the ones that pop up as pure fantasy. Sure, the 'barn find' MV is a gem, but there are precious few of those, and most go down the restoration path, spending considerable time, effort and money to bring a vehicle back to near factory fresh. But then apply a set of spurious markings.

Markings are not rocket science, and there is plenty of information around if you care to look for it, in addition to the various enthusiasts that can provide additional advice.

Duck .... incoming!

Mike

I think its a difficult one, people will always have different opinions. When restoring our 42 Commer I spent plenty of time researching colours and markings etc for it when it would have been delivered. I found a very good mid war period SCC2 colour matched paint through the advice of another forum member and sourced a Brown canvas to suit it.
Since she was finished at the start of the summer we've been to shows and as usual photos have made it on to the internet.
You will not believe the amount of criticism that we've received since, even from other owners and self confessed authorities on MV's. The usual comment 'trucks were never painted Brown during the war'....Seriously????

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by KevinHann

I think its a difficult one, people will always have different opinions. When restoring our 42 Commer I spent plenty of time researching colours and markings etc for it when it would have been delivered. I found a very good mid war period SCC2 colour matched paint through the advice of another forum member and sourced a Brown canvas to suit it.
Since she was finished at the start of the summer we've been to shows and as usual photos have made it on to the internet.
You will not believe the amount of criticism that we've received since, even from other owners and self confessed authorities on MV's. The usual comment 'trucks were never painted Brown during the war'....Seriously????

The point is that you did the research and can prove the paint colour you applied to your restored vehicle. It is the owners of spuriously painted and marked vehicles who cannot provide any proof which is frustrating.

[KevinHann]

Yes, I agree with that. It is frustrating.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by KevinHann

I think its a difficult one, people will always have different opinions. .....
You will not believe the amount of criticism that we've received since, even from other owners and self confessed authorities on MV's. The usual comment 'trucks were never painted Brown during the war'....Seriously????

I am slightly guilty of that reaction whenever I see restored wartime Jeeps with a length of manilla rope around the bumper. One B&W photo of one vehicle in one unit doesn't make something universal.

Similarly, just because the modern M151A2 checklist includes 300-lbs of authorized accessories, doesn't mean the modern owner has to display each of them. Specifically, I mean the side curtain nets. They look like a clown car! Very few vehicles I've signed out had the absolute complete kit checklist.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

I am slightly guilty of that reaction whenever I see restored wartime Jeeps with a length of manilla rope around the bumper. One B&W photo of one vehicle in one unit doesn't make something universal.

Yeah, finding period photographs of Canadian Jeeps, of any era, with manilla rope around the bumper are a challenge to locate. Hats off to anyone who can display their vehicle with all of the EIS, but I can understand just how difficult and expensive it is to find all of the various items. Even keeping track of that stuff when they were in military service was almost a full time job.

[Robin Craig]

This subject makes me spin and then vibrate ......

[Ed Williamson]

In many years of Service and collecting and fixing I have found many things on Military vehicles that were not so called STOCK but were period correct MODS that were done in the field to make the unit more useful or fix an issue that popped up. ( Wire cutter on Jeeps or Hedgerow penitraters on Tanks for Eg.)Sometimes correct parts were not avail. so something was fabbed up or made to fit. I am more than happy to leave these as is when using or showing the unit. Just my opinion and worth just what you paid for it.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Ed Williamson

In many years of Service and collecting and fixing I have found many things on Military vehicles that were not so called STOCK but were period correct MODS that were done in the field to make the unit more useful or fix an issue that popped up. ( Wire cutter on Jeeps or Hedgerow penitraters on Tanks for Eg.)Sometimes correct parts were not avail. so something was fabbed up or made to fit. I am more than happy to leave these as is when using or showing the unit. Just my opinion and worth just what you paid for it.

Modifications are nice, but I have found that documentation or photographs are the key to substantuating claims concerning what was or was not modified on a vehicle.