Hi Mike,
Not really a compliment or a complaint. Just an observation.
Some time ago there was a car show on TV where some "famous" hot rod
guy (Boyd Coddington) was chopping up a perfectly maintined, not
restored, 20's or 30's car. This car was in such perfect shape that
his employees at his custom shop were upset that he was trashing a
rare survivor to make a hot rod. It pissed me off so much I've never
watched the show again. I hate that stuff.
Amphicars are a slightly different kind of car though because, thanks
to the support network in place, you can actually use these cars and
still keep them in top shape. They are also so unusual that people
get a lot of joy just watching them go. You can't say that about a
lot of old cars. I often feel a bit sad seeing those "museum" cars
that never get driven. I've often thought about some of those super
low mileage, original cars you've found and I really don't know what
I'd do with them. I wouldn't want to spoil the "cherry" of those cars
and would be bothered by using them. But then I haven't placed high
value on virgins for many years now either. Some things are just
meant to be used.
Enjoy,
John Friese
67 White
67 Red
--- In amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Echemann"
<echemike@...> wrote:
>
> John,
> Thanks for the compliment!!! I think?
>
> I see your point about wanting to improve performance and add
accessories. I often consider that as well. All my cars are
untouched so I hesitate to change stuff. My 64 green car is the only
one that gets used and unfortunately these day only once a year at
Celina. I'm mellowing some. I did install a radio with power
inverter!!!!
>
> My thoughts on originality are that most buyers have no idea what is
correct when buying. I often wonder if high dollar buyers are
disappointed when they find out how incorrect their cars are. Right
now everything seems to be selling so it doesn't matter. Collectors
will eventually want to know what is original. As a group/club we
don't have any interest in judging or certifying certain cars as
"correct". If we did amphi prices would still be high across the
board but the certified correct examples would be getting very huge
premium prices right now. The long term benefit to the brand would be
that cars would be more originality restored.
>
> Amphi's are for having fun anyway so as long as we leave a few for
the future that's what's important. Your cars are as nice as I've
seen and you can return it to original without any problems so why not
make them easier to drive and enjoy. I understand there are a few
Cool Looking customs amphi's being built and I can't wait to see them
too.
>
> Mike
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Friese
> To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:58 AM
> Subject: [amphicar-lovers] Re: alternators
>
>
>
> In five years of owning my Amphicars and talks with hundreds of people
> about them, I've never talked to anyone, except Mike Echemann, who
> cared a bit about it being all original. They only care about how
> well it works and how good it looks. The changes I make with my car
> have to do with performance and reliability, since I drive my cars
> everywhere and don't trailer them, and I always try to do things that
> can be reversed if someone should ever want to do that.
>
> John Friese
> 67 White
> 67 Red
>
> --- In amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com, lah20car@ wrote:
> >
> > In a message dated 6/28/2006 5:57:55 PM Central Daylight Time,
> > dkgibson3@ writes:
> >
> > >
> > > I understand the desire to tinker, but I have had no issues
with the
> > > factory generator setup. Why go through all this trouble?
> > >
> > > Dan
> > >
> >
> > Just because---
> >
> > Because, alternator's are more reliable, they put out more voltage
> at lower
> > rpms, they eliminate the normal voltage regulator which is another
> source of
> > trouble, ect ect
> > also you can put in a modern radio with a CD.
> >
> > But its not original, so a car with one will NEVER bring $115K at
> auction,
> > but then I doubt that one with a generator will ever again, at least
> not anytime
> > soon.
> >
> > Just my too cents--been kinda slow lately.
> >
>
