On Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:48:24 -0600, "Robert Swinney"
wrote:

When "restoring" a vintage car how does one handle the ignition system? It seems a more faithful
restoration would leave the original ignition components intact. But, OTOH, switching to modern
solid state would be the best plan. Please advise.

The one thing nobody has emphasized yet - Whatever changes you make,
don't hack up the car - they need to be easily reversible without
major reconstruction.

In other words, if you want to add electronic ignition, make a
mounting bracket that fastens to existing holes in the body, and don't
chop up the wiring harness - get the mating plugs and then make a
separate harness for the additions that comes out easily.

If you want to add a stereo, KEEP the original radio so it can be
reinstalled - if it's an oddball, leave it in place. Don't hack up
the dash, mount the new unit underneath if you need to.

If you make external modifications, make them period to when the car
was new. Offenhauser and Edelbrock (et. many al.) made speed parts
for Model T's and A's forward while they were still new, and these
would not be out of period for a vintage car. You could do a LOT of
go-fast with the original Ford Flathead V8 if you wanted to do the
work.

There are always movie producers looking for clean vintage cars to
lease for movie shoots, and they pay well - If yours has chrome
sidepipes and racing slicks and modern traction bars, you aren't going
to get the call.

-- Bruce --