Replacement VASCAR Cable?

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by svopaul

Great for "fuction" but not "correct" if you plan a concours restoration. Some people don't care for originality and that's fine but it's things like this that can bite you in the butt later if competing on a show level....for those that are into that sort of thing .

We don't have a concours class (yet)....and the grey vinyl or spray dye would take care of the color issue. Otherwise, it's 100% the same as my OE cable. For people who need this section, it beats having to put a stock 1-piece cable on the car.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

We don't have a concours class (yet)....and the grey vinyl or spray dye would take care of the color issue. Otherwise, it's 100% the same as my OE cable. For people who need this section, it beats having to put a stock 1-piece cable on the car.

I'm playing devils advocate here....

That is true but putting Kiwi shoe polish on your body wouldn't make you a black man either but you are still a human being so you might pass unnoticed in certain places.

I agree it's functional but it needs to be kept clear that it's not exactly "correct" or then you end up with people changing history and then someone on Ebay sells one as NOS and takes someone for big $$$ while another at a show claims it's original and takes an award from someone else.

Great for function but painting it still doesn't make it "correct".

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by svopaul

I agree it's functional but it needs to be kept clear that it's not exactly "correct" or then you end up with people changing history and then someone on Ebay sells one as NOS and takes someone for big $$$ while another at a show claims it's original and takes an award from someone else.

Great for function but painting it still doesn't make it "correct".

I never said it was "correct", I said it was a functional replacement, and no one here is changing any history. The "correct", NOS one that was just sold on Ebay doesn't have any part numbers or markings on it, and neither do either of the "correct", OE ones I have here on my cars. So...it would probably be pretty hard to tell the difference if done correctly, and it's a great alternative (under $50) for those that need them for their cars (especially the FHP cars, since just about every FHP car made came with one).

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

I never said it was "correct", I said it was a functional replacement, and no one here is changing any history. The "correct", NOS one that was just sold on Ebay doesn't have any part numbers or markings on it, and neither do either of the "correct", OE ones I have here on my cars. So...it would probably be pretty hard to tell the difference if done correctly, and it's a great alternative (under $50) for those that need them for their cars (especially the FHP cars, since just about every FHP car made came with one).

I know that....didn't say you didn't. My point is that things like this can quickly turn into being claimed as NOS. I also didn't say anyone here was changing history...this sort of thing happens over time as information is spread from person to person....10 people down the line it's NOS for that car and goes from there. What you've got is a crown vic cable and they do work for function and all and if you are not into shows or making the car "correct" but just functional then it's great. the one that was just sold on Ebay did in fact have a Ford part number tag on it as I inquired about it but decided not to bid when I saw a familiar name on the bid list.

But to say "it would probably be pretty hard to tell the difference if done right" isn't doing any favors to the hobby for those into concours...it's just not ethical in my opinion but that may just be me.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by svopaul

I know that....didn't say you didn't. My point is that things like this can quickly turn into being claimed as NOS. I also didn't say anyone here was changing history...this sort of thing happens over time as information is spread from person to person....10 people down the line it's NOS for that car and goes from there. What you've got is a crown vic cable and they do work for function and all and if you are not into shows or making the car "correct" but just functional then it's great. the one that was just sold on Ebay did in fact have a Ford part number tag on it as I inquired about it but decided not to bid when I saw a familiar name on the bid list.

But to say "it would probably be pretty hard to tell the difference if done right" isn't doing any favors to the hobby for those into concours...it's just not ethical in my opinion but that may just be me.

No one here is quickly claiming anything as NOS. What happens on Ebay is sad sometimes, but it's not this site or its' members that are the ones doing that type of thing.

It's not a Crown Vic cable...it actually decodes for a Fairmont. The cable that Nodrama just bought doesn't have a ford part number tag on it.

There isn't any concours judging for restored police cars.....and painting a cable to make it look correct is unethical? If that's the case, I guess a whole lot of people are in trouble.

There's nothing wrong with making something work, when the original part is long obsolete. Now...listing this on Ebay and calling it an "NOS OE VASCAR Mustang cable"...I agree, would be unethical. I don't see anyone here doing that, though.

[svopaul]

Originally Posted by ImEvil1

No one here is quickly claiming anything as NOS. What happens on Ebay is sad sometimes, but it's not this site or its' members that are the ones doing that type of thing.

It's not a Crown Vic cable...it actually decodes for a Fairmont. The cable that Nodrama just bought doesn't have a ford part number tag on it.

There isn't any concours judging for restored police cars.....and painting a cable to make it look correct is unethical? If that's the case, I guess a whole lot of people are in trouble.

There's nothing wrong with making something work, when the original part is long obsolete. Now...listing this on Ebay and calling it an "NOS OE VASCAR Mustang cable"...I agree, would be unethical. I don't see anyone here doing that, though.

Mike, you are missing my point entirely....I didn't say that you or anyone else claimed it is NOS.....just that unless it is documented then as time passes people forget what original was other than a few that keep up with it and the next thing you know 5 years from now there is an arguement between two people...one claiming that grey is correct and the other claiming black is correct. And it is not this site or anyone here that is doing that sort of thing but it is this site's and everyones duty to keep information clear so that the facts aren't lost in the future.

Fairmont and Mustang share a lot and have a lot of similarities but there is also a CV cable that "works" but they are also hard to find. But curious...if the cable has no numbers how did you come to the conclusion that it decodes as a fairmont cable? Maybe Jim's tag was removed but if it's the same cable I inquired about, it had a tag on it at the time.

How do you suppose a concours class will come about? and painting a cable is no different that installing a correct or reproduced Data plate to an incorrect carb on a Boss 429...sure the tag makes it look right but it really isn't....no difference for the purist. I am not a purist personally but I have done work for a few and know how they think....like it or not thats the way it is. I see a LOT of reference from people hoping the SSP's are like Boss 302's...well then, this is where it's headed if that is to be the case...again, like it or not.

I've stated from the start that there was nothing wrong with making something work...I do it often myself. However my point is nothing more than a warning of what I've seen in the past where as years pass by something that was a close match was passed on through the chain as being original by someone down the road. All roads are paved with good intentions but along the way someone is bound to change the story. If you were to document this on your site as an informational point then that would go a VERY long way to avoid this problem....but it does happen and to think it can't or won't is only just looking the other way because it doesn't affect you now. If these cars hit the big time down the road for collectors, this WILL become the sort of issue you may see as people try to restore or cobble together cars in search of the big bucks...money is after all, the root of all evil.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by svopaul

Mike, you are missing my point entirely....I didn't say that you or anyone else claimed it is NOS.....just that unless it is documented then as time passes people forget what original was other than a few that keep up with it and the next thing you know 5 years from now there is an arguement between two people...one claiming that grey is correct and the other claiming black is correct. And it is not this site or anyone here that is doing that sort of thing but it is this site's and everyones duty to keep information clear so that the facts aren't lost in the future.

Fairmont and Mustang share a lot and have a lot of similarities but there is also a CV cable that "works" but they are also hard to find. But curious...if the cable has no numbers how did you come to the conclusion that it decodes as a fairmont cable? Maybe Jim's tag was removed but if it's the same cable I inquired about, it had a tag on it at the time.

How do you suppose a concours class will come about? and painting a cable is no different that installing a correct or reproduced Data plate to an incorrect carb on a Boss 429...sure the tag makes it look right but it really isn't....no difference for the purist. I am not a purist personally but I have done work for a few and know how they think....like it or not thats the way it is. I see a LOT of reference from people hoping the SSP's are like Boss 302's...well then, this is where it's headed if that is to be the case...again, like it or not.

I've stated from the start that there was nothing wrong with making something work...I do it often myself. However my point is nothing more than a warning of what I've seen in the past where as years pass by something that was a close match was passed on through the chain as being original by someone down the road. All roads are paved with good intentions but along the way someone is bound to change the story. If you were to document this on your site as an informational point then that would go a VERY long way to avoid this problem....but it does happen and to think it can't or won't is only just looking the other way because it doesn't affect you now. If these cars hit the big time down the road for collectors, this WILL become the sort of issue you may see as people try to restore or cobble together cars in search of the big bucks...money is after all, the root of all evil.

Paul,

It is already documented on this site....check out the "Technical" section on Speedometers/Vascar cables. That's pretty clear documentation.

I understand your point about the "clouding" of OE equipment, but I'll offer that the selling of items on Ebay currently taking place that were NEVER on these cars deserves the attention you are giving this issue.

We are not going to see a "Concours" class anytime soon, and your point about the painting of the cable being doesn't make much sense. Do people replace body panels with used panels in the exact same colors? If I found a good, used fender for my '83 that was white, when the car is black, does that mean I can't use it?

The cable I found does have an engineering number on it, hence the Fairmont decode. NONE of the original VASCAR cables have any numbers on them, including the NOS one that just sold. Many, many other applications exist that used these two-piece cables and there are more out there.