Isn't there a school of thought that might find it almost wrong to make this car as correct as it would have been when it first came to be? Even with the best, most original, most NOS parts on it, it will end up being almost a modern-day reconstruction where there might be more repairs and replacement than what's left on it.
It may look terrible as it is at the moment but I almost find it more exciting like that, it is a witness to many years of history that it has gone through, it has the wear and abuse which might explain its long tired life. If this car is 'corrected' and displayed in a show, museum or private collection, how will anyone looking at it be aware of what it's been through, apart from observing photos of how it was when discovered? I think it's great that it has Volga door handles for example, it explains where it was geographically during part of its life.
I can understand the total resurrection of a later production car because one might want to have a perfect example of a particular year model but this car is so unique that it almost deserves to be left untouched, as it cannot be compared to anything else yet discovered.
Of course, it would have been nicer if it had been found intact but that's usually not how history and time allows us to come across these occasional gems. The same happens in ancient buildings which have been modified over time. Their alterations are the actual proof of their age and how we've helped them cross the centuries to be with us still today.
Any thoughts?
48REME wrote: