when is a survivor no longer a survivor

Bill shuba · Guru

when is a survivor no longer a survivor

JC2+2 · Poncho Master!

In my opinion a survivor should still be original. Never repainted. Interior still original. And original drivetrain.

Bill shuba · Guru

lots of those out in the fields, rusted out, mice eaten rotten interior, seized motor , can.t figure out why those would be so high in demand .. I must be wrong on my idea of a survivor,,Thank you for heads up on that

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Agree with Clint, original paint or substantially all original paint a must. Repairs could have been carried out but car needs to be original or repaired in original style and parts.

Don't think your car is a "survivor" notwithstanding it has survived this long. Same for my own car, it has survived without being restored but a repaint makes it no survivor.

-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 20th of February 2019 09:58:22 PM

Bill shuba · Guru

Learning so much !! I some how thought because this car has not see sun light and is what it was 30 yrs ago org or even restored untouched since back then that it is what as some say a survivor car,,much like I guess a barn find but in far better conditions no mice ect ...before I heard the word survivor car.. the terms were in need of, or untouched org..guess I am behind the times thanks guys

hawkeye5766 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

JC2+2 wrote:
In my opinion a survivor should still be original. Never repainted. Interior still original. And original drivetrain.

x2...but must also be road worthy. If she stops and starts...survivor

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

From what I've read, it seems the term "survivor" originated in the Corvette world.

https://www.bloomingtongold.com/index.php/events/classic-events/judging/survivor-corvette

Copied and pasted from the above website:

SURVIVOR®

The SURVIVOR® Award is designed to recognize those Corvettes that are "worn in, but not worn out." A SURVIVOR Corvette is significantly unrestored, unrepaired, or unmodified and meets these requirements:

Is over 20 years old
Passes a road test
Retains OEM engine
Remains unrestored, un-refinished, or unaltered;Retains finishes good enough to use as a color guide for restoration of a car just like it
- 50% or more in all four sections to attain SURVIVOR Bronze
- 66% or more in all four sections to attain SURVIVOR Silver
- 80% or more in all four sections to attain SURVIVOR Gold

Judges inspect four components: Exterior, Interior, Under Hood, Chassis.

Edit: In addition I should add that this topic has come up a number of times on many automotive forums that I've read, and every time the responses range from a survivor being any old car that is still around, because it "survived" the crusher, to being completely 100% as it left the dealership on day 1, with original everything.

In the information posted above, you will notice the registered trademark symbol after Survivor, so some would say if you call it a "survivor" then this particular criteria must apply to your vehicle.

My personal feelings: I've seen the term used so much on many different old cars, that I feel it has been overused. I think that original cars that are still basically the same as when they left the dealership, are a special breed and as such there should be a designation for it. So when I hear somebody say their car is a "survivor", my expectations would be that it is mostly original, meaning original paint in good condition, original upholstery in good condition, original engine and drivetrain in good working condition, and original chassis and related parts with the paint still on it that was applied at the factory. I'm not saying perfect, but just a nice presentable original car that still has the factory installed/applied stuff on/in it, that you could get in and drive anywhere. In my world, I would exclude normal maintenance stuff like filters, belts, plugs and wires, tires, etc... the stuff that would be replaced through normal use, or the things that would tend to go bad from years of sitting. That's how I view it.

Honestly, these days when I hear the term survivor applied to an old car, I don't pay much attention to it, because I know it means many things to many people. Just like when I see a highly modified car being described as "restored". Or some car sitting in a field being described as a "barn find"... more often than not, these terms are applied to a car when it is being sold, likely to add appeal for potential buyers. Usually just more sales BS, IMHO.

That said, I don't think it's overly important to be able to classify your car in any particular way. It's your car, your money, so do what you please. Any old car still on the road is a pleasure, as far as I'm concerned. Enjoy it for what it is.

-- Edited by MC on Thursday 21st of February 2019 08:45:43 AM

Pritch · Guru

Yes indeed, JC2+2, I completely agree with you. There is really nothing else to be said. Obviously, a survivor that meets this criteria is pretty darn hard to find.

poncho62 · Poncho Master!

Maybe the dents can be pushed out without painting....

That said, I think people put too much emphasis on these terms...just sayin'

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

If the car has been repainted White from Limelight, it is not a survivor.

Bill shuba · Guru

Wow MC Thankyou for that info it helps !! yep poncho62 I agree ,,best to do what I need to do ,what I want to do to it and use the old term "" as is "" when time comes to let it go Thanks all !!

-- Edited by Bill shuba on Thursday 21st of February 2019 09:46:08 AM

Cheviac · Guru

This is as close as I've ever come to a survivor car so far. Picked it up from an estate clean up about four years ago. It was sitting in a heated garage for over thirty years. I replaced the flat bias ply tires, repaired the seized water pump and resprayed the vinyl top as it was very dried out. Still has the original paint which I haven't tried to polish yet.

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Bill shuba wrote:
Wow MC Thankyou for that info it helps !! yep poncho62 I agree ,,best to do what I need to do ,what I want to do to it and use the old term "" as is "" when time comes to let it go Thanks all !!

-- Edited by Bill shuba on Thursday 21st of February 2019 09:46:08 AM

Glad to help... most of it is just my opinion, of course.

IMHO, to describe the car from the info you've given, I think it would be completely acceptable to say... mostly original, except paint, rear seat upholstery, etc.

To many people, "survivor" means a specific thing, but in general saying mostly original isn't such a bad thing, and I think it would describe the car you're talking about, which sounds like it could be quite nice, by the way.

Again, just my opinion... smile

Bill shuba · Guru

Thanks MC I got to remember why I got the car in the first place and forget all the rest,,,since finding out its a 2+2 theres been some highs yet more lows..after my buddy and his sister get to spend some time with it and I am sure they will be happy yet also sad remembering the times they spent with their dad in it ..after that its just a car to me with a story and I will be glad that I could do what I did ..been a long winter,I quess just thinking too much !!

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

You could call it a "day 2 survivor" since it sounds like it is pretty much all original except the colour change? Day 2 seems to mean something done a long time ago that someone did to "improve" an original car.

My definition of a real survivor agrees with above- mostly original paint except for minor damage fixed, original drivetrain, original interior. Parts replaced would be limited to wear items like tires, brakes, and parts that failed like say a water pump.

At the end of the day Bill, it is what it is.