Patina or Pati-no?

"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
05/06/2014 at 15:40 • Filed to: Classic Cars, Kolbenfresser

I found this Opel Olympia in an article on sueddeutsche.de about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The article is about the appeal of patina. It explores how the patina look is trending in the German classic car scene and what is good and bad about it.

The conclusion of the article is that a natural patina - this means basic wear and tear by normal use - is most welcome. It makes the car unique, emphasizes its cultural heritage and sometimes it even enhances the worth for that matter.

If on the other hand the car is just neglected, rusty and dented or even artificially altered to give it "character", the effect is the very reverse of what patina should be. The Olympia in the picture above is for sueddeutsche.de an example for the misinterpretation of a desired used look.

What do you think about patina? Where is your "limit"? And when does it become special in contrast to being a sign of decay and neglect.

Three examples I saw recently.

Patina, pati-no, or maybe in the future...?

Astra Caravan

VW Caddy

And the Centurion found by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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DISCUSSION (26)

505Turbeaux > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 15:41

Kinja'd!!!

this just looks like it isnt cared for. Is this really a classic?

duurtlang > 505Turbeaux
05/06/2014 at 15:44

No. The value of a first gen Opel Astra is based on how much fuel is in the tank.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > 505Turbeaux
05/06/2014 at 15:44

No it isn't...yet?

That's my point: Where does patina begin?

Brian, The Life of > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 15:46

Rat rods and old trucks. That's my limit when it comes to patina. Anything else is just trying too hard.

For Sweden > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 15:47

Patin-ya or Pati-no?

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Brian, The Life of
05/06/2014 at 15:47

I can see that.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > For Sweden
05/06/2014 at 15:48

Haha, excellent!

Klaus Schmoll > For Sweden
05/06/2014 at 15:49

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/road-legal-195…

If you want to know more about the Opel.

Klaus Schmoll > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 15:56

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/road-legal-195…

If you want to know more about the Opel's backstory.

CRider > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 15:57

Naturally occurring patina is generally good. However, if you can put your finger through the patina that's too much patina.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > CRider
05/06/2014 at 16:06

Brilliant!

If you can put your finger through the patina that's too much patina.

Why isn't this in the commandments?

JR1 > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 16:09

It is almost too general of a question. I think it varies from car to car. A big no no is visible rust holes though.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Klaus Schmoll
05/06/2014 at 16:10

Danke! Das hast du vor meiner Oppo-Zeit geschrieben. Ich muss mir eindeutig mal mehr von dir anschauen.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > JR1
05/06/2014 at 16:20

I think we can agree on rust holes.

But isn't it strange that it depends on the car? I'd buy the Centurion in a heartbeat and keep it in that condition. The astra on the other hand, uhm no, thank you please.

JR1 > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 16:23

I guess it is strange, but at the same time I think we can all agree the older cars are just more atheistically pleasing even with worn out paint or surface rust. And lately it has become cool to rat rod the old cars making them even more desirable. No one would ever want or desire to rat rod an Astra however. And I would buy that Centurion.

camaroboy68ss > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 16:28

I can't stand patina. Drives me crazy. Growing up in and around the indoor show scene I have an appreciation for clean paint on a car. Even of its rattle can black

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > JR1
05/06/2014 at 16:30

No one would ever want or desire to rat rod an Astra.

Well, now that it sounds like a challenge, who knows...

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > camaroboy68ss
05/06/2014 at 16:36

Oh, I thought you "squares" are all gone!

No seriously, I absolutely understand you. I will go into detail when I write about my cousins 1970 Cougar - hopefully in a few weeks.

JR1 > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer
05/06/2014 at 16:39

Build it and make it cool and maybe I will buy it

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > JR1
05/06/2014 at 16:43

I will think of something, until then, watch this: