by Miss Verity Spencer
The cherished shoebox (see below) passed on with collector cars to the new owner; filled (hopefully) with photographs, hand drawn schematics, past invoices, articles and perhaps if lucky, an owner's manual. We have all seen ads that boast: “well documented” or “comes with complete history”. The next time you’re checking your tire pressure, take a moment and ensure your automobile’s documents will last as long as the car.
Don't assume that the person who compiled the papers intended them to sit in THAT box or binder for 30 years. Cardboard and other inferior paper contains acid; this is what ‘yellows’ the document. Many of the ‘protectant sleeves’ are meant for 10 years not 50. Be mindful that glue, paper clips, rubber bands and staples will also cause damage.
Photographs tend to be quite durable when compared to many other types paperwork. Unless they have been placed in an adhesive-sleeved photo album, (see below) these will leach the image, and eventually cause irreparably damage (photo of yellow sleeve).
Also no matter what the circumstance NEVER laminate the original document. Lamination may seem like a good idea, however it is a temporary and irreversible process (check here). Look for “archive quality” products when organizing or storing your documents. So when you pass on the archive quality portfolio box to the new owner, he/she will be as excited as you were when you received them.
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Comments
My E Type 30/98 came with absolutely no history other than the V5, but with a combination of the internet and many telephone calls, I was able to track down the families of 4 previous owners dating back to the early 1950s. It's a daunting task to pick up the phone and ask for information from a complete stranger, and not everyone I spoke to was helpful. However, I now have a letter sent in 1921 from Vauxhall Motors to the original owner after he broke a head lamp lens, original invoices and receipts from the 1950s when the car had its front axle replaced after an accident, an auction catalogue photograph and description of the car from the 1960s, and numerous stories which I’ve recorded in the vehicle’s files.
Provenance, whether good or bad, contributes greatly to the satisfaction of owning a vintage car. Long may there be people out there who never throw anything away!
Graham.
This is a fair bit of work, but it also enables the sharing of rare documents with other interested owners, as is happening with another Elite owner in Germany, and Ducellier handbook with a restorer in UK.
Graeme Simpson