Time is undefeated. I read this quote not long ago, as it related to professional athletes, and the fact that no matter how good you were, and how well you took care of your body…time would win in the end.  The quote has been rattling around in my head ever since.

I’ve thought that while that may be true in terms of athletes, or even people in general, it is certainly less of a truism when it relates to classic cars. With the car show season getting underway, there are plenty of examples of vintage vehicles that, while perhaps not defeating time, have certainly landed a few punches.

In the pages of this esteemed magazine, you can find examples of 914’s that have also landed a few punches, and even had time on the ropes, as it were. As is the case with time however, it is way too early to stop the fight, and I expect that time will win in the end. Until then however I think it’s fair to sing the praises of those that have held off the ravages of time, and in some cases completely reversed them to remain or regain their pristine, youthful glow.

It’s an interesting topic for me, as I constantly wrestle with the question of restoring or simply maintaining. It’s not about resale for me, but it is about value, and I think that is the most difficult part about the decisions. Is it better to burn out or fade away? There is probably no one correct answer to the question…but I think in the words of Forrest Gump…”maybe it’s both, happening at the same time”

I think the factors that argue against restoration are well known to those who have considered the option. The biggest being, you’ll probably lose money.  The general consensus is that you can buy a restored classic for much less than you can restore a classic. However not everyone decides to restore a car to make a profit. Some are more interested in the journey than the destination. A 914 restoration is not for the faint of heart. Financially, it is usually a labor of love, and the goal isn’t to flip it for a profit, but to keep the car for a long time…to defeat time if you will.

Another argument is that you probably won’t finish. It’s fair to say that there are more stalled or abandoned restoration projects than completed ones.  One of the biggest issues with a major restoration is that once started, life gets in the way. Even if you keep costs down by doing most of the work yourself, you can end up getting side tracked, or waylaid by unexpected events. Worse yet, personal motivation can wane if unexpected issues arise. If you are hiring out the restoration, you can become dissatisfied with the progress or quality of work, and move the project to someone else. The costs, delays and disillusionment can derail the project.

Then there is protecting the investment. In both time and expense, if you completely restore a classic, you are not going to put as many miles on it as you would if you had a great driver quality car. Not to mention, if you figure 2000 hours for a quality restoration (more if you’re a first timer), you’re talking close to 3 hours a day for 2 years to knock out that restoration. After that investment you may not be so keen to see your baby get nicked, scratched or dented.

On the flip side, there are factors that can be argued for undertaking a restoration process. They aren’t all sensible. But, they are arguments, none-the-less. First is the car-show lifestyle. If you’re the kind of person that plans trips around visiting car shows and concours events, having an immaculate example of your pride and joy can bring a limitless amount a pleasure and satisfaction. That 2000 hour investment may be small potato’s compared to the hours of enjoyment you’ll get attending and participating in car shows. I know several folks who travel not only all over the state, but all over the country attending concours events and auctions. It’s a lifestyle, and the restoration investment is all part of that. Also a lot of restoration projects are really about emotional attachment. For some, the car they are restoring is more than some bits assembled together into a functional auto. It is a connection to a loved one, or a car they have owned since new or a make and model that has some deeper meaning than just simply a dollar valuation. The thought of selling, or worse yet junking, that car is not even a consideration. The issue is not about money or time or headaches, it is a car that they will own and care about for the rest of their lives.

But let’s face it, sometimes it is about the money, and depending on the car, it will be a profitable endeavor. As original 914-6 values continue to climb, a smart restorer is almost assured of turning a profit. Even a 914-4 can be a money maker depending on what you’re starting with, and what the restoration entails. That’s probably true of many marques, I guess. But, our little air-cooled German cars have done pretty well in the classic car market.

The question is, can we really defeat time? I think that it depends on your perspective. If the car you restore outlives you, then for you, time is defeated. If you’re looking at a geological scale, then no, there is no defeating time, time will always win. For me, the former is all that I care about.