I’ve had a fortunate car life. I’ve owned a wide range of cars, enjoying various shows, events and the pleasure of driving or restoring some special vehicles. But as the years have gone by, many of these rare and valued cars have become too expensive to drive. Even if you have a lot of money, an expensive and/or rare car can be damaged beyond repair if it’s involved in an accident. The genuine assemblage of design and engineering so carefully crafted many years ago can evaporate in an instant. Even if you restore it perfectly, it still lacks the collective expression of the era and the craft of the past.
Aston Martin DB4 GT Continuation. (Photo: Dean Smith)
Modern cars are not subject to the same considerations as classic or special interest cars. We use our daily cars as transportation, relying on their functionality more than their beauty, rarity, or unique performance attributes. This effect has increased as car makers have shifted from offering performance and unique looks to convenience and digital features, primarily impacting the interior of the car, enticing owners to use their cars very differently from a vintage car.
