HK & GM ~ Well said on both counts. And TBH, many many good points have been made in all responses in this thread. That wide-ranging, heart felt commitment to the meaning of this term is a great indication of what makes its so difficult to qualify...... a great topic for debate 73inNH.
I've heard the term used, by so many, from the hardcore seller, to the staunch purists, to the average Joe hobbyist, to the local "expert" at all the mom & pop car shows, to the people that are so thankful that it starts everyday because they depend on it for their primary transportation on a daily basis.
The definition of "survived" in itself can be problematic. The question of what did it survive is a great point of reference. But, again that can also lead to problems because we all have a completely different starting point (and ending point) for each one of the references above.
Just when I think I have a handle on it, I read Mike's post. Now I'm thinking and I realize I've missed the mark again. I'm back to where I started and I'm none the wiser.
Gawd, this kind of kind "near-bantering" when mulling things over, and posting our thoughts like we are, is part of what makes this such a terrific forum. I am certain many folks would at this kind of discussion and liken it to trying to determine how many angels can be put on the head of a pin, where nothing of consequence is ever determined. And, perhaps that is how it ought to be left. More darkly, I think on these words from the3 famed economist, John Maynard Keynes, "In the long run we are all dead." = so of what consequence is this?
Well, for me, this is a fun kind of matter to ponder alongside other Mustang/Shelby enthusiasts - especially those of us who can appreciate the Big Nose Mustangs of 71-73. What is hanging me up at the moment is HK's one question re: aa vehicle like our very low mileage 73 vert, "What did it survive?" Well, it did not survive being driven on the means streets of society, risking accidents, running through water, much less snow, ice, and the salt put on the roads to lower the melting point of said ice and snow. But, it did survive the general ravages of time, potential exposure to rodents, the impact on gasoline over years, even decades of slow evaporation and congealing of its base elements, sidewalls of tires cracking, and despite not being exposed to significant water (solid, gas, or liquid) while being barn stored, it did have some degree of exposure just through moisture in the air - which over a long periods of time can cause corrosion issues. And, there is the potential for loss of lubrication as the oil once sitting between journals and bearings, camshaft lobes and lifter wear surfaces, cylinder walls and piston rings, etc., can all be damaged in a negligent, unprimed (oil circuits) startup after many years of sitting unused. In its own way, as I see it, dealing with a vehicle left to slumber for decades presents its own areas of survival challenges. They are not same challenges that the vehicle would have faced were it driven. But, the impact of some of those areas can be significant. Perhaps in some cases not as significant as a car that was driven over many years. But, in other matters the threats to the vehicle.s survivability can be very significant (tire blowing out "at speed" due to weakened sidewalls, engine being damaged with a dry start/initial running despite oil being in the engine oil pan, failure of a cooling system hose while driving the car, thus overheating the engine, etc.
Okay, in re-re-re-pondering I have determined that there are indeed different kinds of challenges an older vehicle must face, whether being driven daily, driven only to/from local car shows, or kept in some kind of storage for many years or decades. I am not sure how I would categorize the different situations, but one way or another the vehicle has to survive the detrimental impact of time in order to be some kind of survivor. I guess I could say our 73 vert was a Barn Storage Survivor. That would work for me. Okay, I may be on a roll here. How about I proposes the following survivor categories, at least for a start:
Daily Driver Survivor
Routine Showing Survivor
Long Term Storage Survivor
Barn Stored Survivor
Inexperienced Teen Driver Survivor
Angry Spouse Survivor
Divorce Settlement Survivor
Okay, enough of that, for now. From this point forward I am going to try to remember to qualify the survivor status of our 73 vert by calling it a Barn Stored Survivor. If anyone else wants to dance on that pin head while counting angels with me, and comes up with a suggestion to add, or to modify, the initial proposed list above, I will take what is offered into thoughtful consideration.
Thank goodness I am well retired, and have time (still) for this kind of musing. Not that is is deep musing. But, it is musing in any event. I can't imagine being up late, losing sleep while reflecting on this kind of supposedly deep and important subject, then dragging myself into work over something many folks would regards as being trivial at best. Not me! Nope, and my reward is I now have a
Barn Stored Survivor 1973 Mustang Convertible! heh heh...
