A Round-Tail engine question

[alfacybersite <acs@domain.elided>]

While it has not been the liveliest thread, I appreciate the responses.

This time I'm going to go around the block and come in the back door, so
to speak.

The overwhelming responses pro 1750 engine for a Round-Tail was that it
was such a free revving engine and it was what the car originally came
with.

Originality, another '69 Spider hypothetical question: You've just
inherited some big bucks, always wanted an 'original' '69 Spider and
have been shopping. (Warning, writer might show a few prejudices in the
following comments). You find two cars, neither of which is inexpensive.

(a) is a low mileage very, very nice car. No bodywork has ever been done
on it but has been repainted in the exact original color - only to
freshen it up. The paint job is comparable to the original factory paint
job. It has the original steel rims with the used, but correct hubcaps.
It has a fresh vinyl top (an exact duplicate of the original with the
pebbly finish). It has the original cheap shiny vinyl seat covers along
with rubber mats. While everything isn't necessarily as new, there is
some patina, it looks exactly like what it is, a very low mileage '69
Spider. And yes, it has the 1750 (etc.) engine which has been carefully
maintained, but not rebuilt.

(b)'s mileage is somewhat in question as the odometer reads 68k (68k,
168k, 268k, or?). The paint finish is drop dead gorgeous. It has a high
quality canvas top, leather covered seats with perforated leather on the
'tuck and roll' portions of the seats and headrests. The dash has been
carefully refinished, both the padded and painted portions. A period
correct Blaupunkt radio is installed, but with a smallish amplifier
tucked up under the dash, base speakers in the footwells, and speakers
hidden in the custom leather door panels (which look similar to the
original except there is no cheap silver plastic edging). The floor is
covered in a high-quality wool carpet, with leather edging. It comes
with a canvas tonneau cover, a 3-point belt system, and has twin Talbot
Berlin mirrors. The non-original two liter was rebuilt less than 1k
miles ago with 10:1 pistons, all reciprocating parts balanced, and the
rods were indexed - along with the usual machine work. It has the two
piece cast exhaust headers, the original inlet manifold and 1750 air
cleaner. Except for the engine bay being virtually show quality, it
looks totally 'correct'.

Driving them both, it is obvious (b) has considerably more oomph, loves
to rev, and idles smoothly. (a) feels like a very pleasant original 1750
engine. Both car's clutches and transmissions work faultlessly.

Cost being no object and you Do intend driving the car, which would you
Now choose? (All of the above not being an option).

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
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