No Don, I don't do to many shows with my TR6. It's got a pretty shiny paint job, and is structurally sound and all, but it's a drag to drive over 200 miles at a time. I re-bushed the suspension with urethane bushings, and replaced the springs, so it rides really stiff, but handles like mad! I probably couldn't afford the gas either (3 Dellortos
). The last show Sue and I drove it to was British Car Day at Tanglewood in High Point, NC back in '99 when it still had stock springs, two carbs and some decent milage.
As you correctly stated, the price for spares is astronomical. I'll prolly have to sell my Bug when it's done to afford the overhaul on the TR6.
I got a couple of parts cars to pick over though. One's a '69 the other's a '71, so the engines, and tranny's are slightly different, but they've certanly paid for themselves over the years, which was the cost of a tow.
I lucked up on mine. It belonged to my old boss. I found it "barn fresh" where it sat for 12 years, and traded my old sandrail to get it. He made the offer and I couldn't turn THAT down. :agree: