"Driver quality"

So what does "driver" mean to you? I look at many parts on Ebay that are marginal quality at best, listed as driver quality. I watch Mecham auctions and the cars announcers say are nice drivers, I consider nearly perfect. To them a car that is one step removed from being a trailer queen is a driver. If I restore a car, it is to be driven, but not daily. I guess a driver to me is a daily driver and a frame off restoration is a ......(I don't have a term for it, maybe local show car?). And you?

 

I'd consider a driver something that has a few flaws (rock chips, faded chrome, a worn driver's seat, etc.) but is overall a nice looking car that runs well. Probably a 7 or 8 out of ten. It would be a car that you care about keeping it nice, but if you got a rock chip on the highway it wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

To me a driver quality part is a part that did not look like crap, when it was seen in context of the driver car it was removed from. A part that looks like it has been on an operating vehicle since new... but doesn't look like it needs to be replaced, to be on that vehicle.

 

I go along with, that.

 

The Mecum anouncers are very picky. I like watching it just to get an idea of where the market is going.

I think it was this Friday the sold a very nice 70-72 skylark convertible for $11,250. I would not have let the car go for that.

I am doing a complete restoration and clone on my 72 and should end up with a great local car show car. But I would consider it to be driver quality because it will never be INVESTMENT grade.

I think that is where the Mecum guys come from. Investment/trailer queen then driver/local car showo No:

 

Driver quality looks like it is used as / on an everyday driver

 

I think my whole car is BTN... maybe except the seat and the drivetrain:Brow:

 

I think driver quality is something you can drive without hurting the value of the car. I do think that concourse cars should be driven once in a while, but they are not intended to be enjoyed as a driver, just mainly for show and/or investment. There are some pretty good looking cars with tons of money and time in them at shows that I'd consider driver quality because they are driven and show evidence of that even if only minor. But, driver quality isn't a bad thing; I think cars should be driven to be enjoyed.

My car is definitely a driver. I only put it in local shows for fun, to talk to other car owners. I'm not looking for trophies and besides, there seems to be some politics and favoritism in that whole car show awards thing if you ask me.

 

I would go along with that and go so far as to say that this would be the average working guy, with a working guy's money's definition.

Driver quality is certainly subjective.
What I would call a prized possession wouldn't be permitted in the garage of another man.
Depends on your wallet and expectations.

 

So will I.

 

Most probably don't agree but years ago I broke it down in my mind this way:

Trailer Queen: Only driven on and off trailer for car shows, almost no miles put on the car in a year (this is also a museum piece or a big money auction car)

Show Car: Only driven a handful of miles per year. Driven only in good weather and usually to a local cruise in or show. Garage kept and meticulously cleaned (this is where alot of you guys seem to fall)

Driver: Driven in bad weather. Kept outdoors and cleaned occasionally. Has dents, dings, scrathces, and wear. Uses generic chinese parts because the owner needs it fixed for work and can't wait for the period specific parts to show up (this would be your everyday car)

Beater: Many people are suprised that this car actually runs. The owner gets a kick out of telling people about how many miles he's put on it without changing the oil or plugs. It's a car that's no longer reliable enough to be a driver, but still has some life left in it (these cars usually last way longer than you expect or even want them to)

Project: It may or may not run. May or may not have a drivetrain. May or may not have a body. In some states it may not even have a title. If you have the time and space it can be a parts car, or if you have the imagination it can become a restoration starting point. It'll spend more of its life on a flatbed than on the road over the next few years (these are the great deals that keep sucking us in and then beating us down)

 

"Driver Quality" is a subjective term...with wide interpretation...and abuse. Probably time to move from "analog" days to "digital," and use more objective descriptors like 1-10 or 1-100...not perfect, but would get everyone closer to being on same page...

 

I always just broke it down like this(as usual IMHO):

Concourse Car: Trailered to events/competitions and restored to as it was when it rolled off the line. Correct stickers, hoses, even correct defects (overspray as the factory wouldve)

Show Car: Driven to local shows/cruisins, but still clean as a whistle. Maybe a few minor chips if you really bury your face up against it, but still remarkably clean and driven very little and in no chance of rain. Paint, engine, and interior are cleaner than most peoples houses.

Nice Driver: Driven to local shows/cruises, still very nice, but may have minor but noticable scratches/chips once you're up on it. Gets driven to work on the occasional nice friday, and taking the family to get ice cream on a saturday night. Interior is pretty nice with no major defects, engine is pretty clean but may have a little faded paint or corrosion (headers, master cyl). Still an eye catcher from 5-10 feet for sure.

Driver: A solid car, not falling apart, but needs some love. Some dings and flaws, paint definitely isnt what it once was, engine compartment not real clean with dirt and grime in the usual spots, interior not shredded but in need of some attention. Still, a complete/mostly solid car you drive around whenever, maybe even daily if you maintain it well. Not hateful to look at and easy to see the potential it still has.

Beater: It runs and is driveable, although you wouldnt go cross-country. Gaping rust holes, engine smokes/leakes, crusty bumpers/wheels. See Joe Dirt for a prime example (the daytona in the beginning, not the GTX at the end).

 

Bammax and Shawn, I loved your replies. The only thing left out was a definition of a "parts car", and that is actually pretty obvious. I really enjoyed the humor and now realize I need three vintage vehicles, a show car, nice driver, and a driver. The driver is for winter.

 

Yeah, that's all four door cars. :laugh:

 

Ooohhh, thats a low blow!!:laugh: (to those who have 4-doors anyway...)

 

Tongue in cheek of course. But you have to admit we've lost a lot of four doors to help restore two doors.

 

I know you meant it humorously, I only commented because I got a good chuckle out of it.:TU:

 

:moonu:

My 4-door can beat up your 2-door :bla: