I think to many people fall into the trap that value - restoration costs equals current market value.
Shelbys do not follow that rule.
Seldomly do you see cars under $50,000, when you do they usually have some major issues, like being burnt or the numbers stripped off them.
So, now we need to refocus the thread to how much can be replaced before its not the original car? That should get things going.....
I'll take the bait
I live in an area where rust is common. Many times I see cars that have been restored and the owner thinks they have an original car but when you ask the owner has replaced
floors
rockers
torque boxes
trunk floor drop offs
tail light panel
outer wheel houses
quarter panels
doors
fenders
passenger engine bay apron (battery rust)
four common rust holes on aprons beside shock towers
I think to myself.......there is no way that car has proper structural integrity. There is so much engineering that goes into the manufacturing process with crumple zones in the metal....the amount of spot welds that would hold areas together, etc.
If you took all of the panels off the car that were replaced I don't know how a car can't be called a rebody. The content of replaced panels exceeds what is original.
One thing is for sure......I wouldn't want to be involved in an accident in one of these cars.
But when a car is a Shelby guys simply don't want to let go of the car. They will buy something affordable and attempt to ressurect the car on a budget. It could also be argued that it would be cheaper to restore a Shelby than a four door Maverick. You can buy a multitude of reproduction parts for a Shelby, Maverick parts are hard to find, new or used.
When does a car cease to exist?