SURVIVOR

REFERS to an older unrestored vehicle that has been exceptionally well-preserved, including its original paint. Survivors are often sought after because of their original condition, and in some cases because of their historical significance or cultural status. Depending on the enthusiast segment and the vehicle itself, it may be frowned upon to modify a survivor except for restoring it mechanically if needed. In the case of an old customized survivor (such as a show truck built in the 1960s), it is usually acceptable to restore it to its most popular/appealing version, assuming it had been changed over the years. In the end, though, it’s as the old saying goes, “It can only be original once!”