I've been looking at some Z advertisements that say their car is "untouched" or "unmolested". How far can one go on the car before it is "unmolested"?

For example: replacing brake master? Rotor's? A repaired or replaced fender with original part? Painted (all or part)?. I'd think common wear items replaced would be okay, but if there is bondo in the front fender and it was repainted, is it still "unmolested". Things like the glass that no longer has the oem writing on it for example.

I'm just curious how much liberty one can take (and accept) as "unmolested".

How much, if any, does any of this mean to anyone? I understand a 40 year old car is a 40 year old car and one buys accordingly, I am wondering how much liberty one can take with their statements.

Leonard

Most of my cars have been molested.........

"how much liberty can one take with such statements" - an infinate amount unfortunately.

Unmolested to me would imply unaltered from the intended form or non-personalized, original equipment, OEM to the degree of practical.

And btw I personally molest each of my cars in the privacy of my shed, when ever I can. They never complain.

My definition of an "unmolested" car would be one that's had no "surgery" done on it for modifications, such as sunroof, enlarged wheel openings, fender flaring, frame stiffening, replacing floor pans with non-original type, etc.

IOW, a car that can be easily taken back to near original without much energy. Rust or collision damage repair would not be considered "molesting", unless it was done in a horrible manner.

An "unmodified" car would be one that is "unmolested", per the above, with 99% OEM, or OEM replacement parts on it.

Just my opinion.

Either completely untouched, OR clean, easily reversible upgrades that would leave no evidence if brought back to original. Intact factory harnesses and plugs.

Note: Here is where it gets tricky. A really poorly preserved car, with rust, dust, faded paint, torn upholstery with a cracked dash could be considered "unmolested" as long as it has ONLY been "molested" by time.

Let's look at the definition of "molest" and a few synonyms:

–verb (used with object)

to bother, interfere with, or annoy.

—Synonyms

harass, harry, trouble, plague, hector, torment.

With that in mind, I would suggest that "unmolested" means that the original look and purpose of the car have not been changed, even though parts have been replaced or repaired.

A key word in the definition is "annoy". So if anything about the car annoys the observer, he/she could probably consider it molested.

I'll now put my English teaching credential back in a drawer and resume my nap.

Dennis

Sorry Dennis, but I think you missed the key word.

Annoy is to disturb or to irritate. Disturb is the second descriptor under the definition of molest in the dictionary I used. As such, DISTURB is more the key word in this use as a vehicle can't be said to be irritated.

Disturb has several indexed definitions, but in brief: to interfere with; to alter the position of; to break up or damage; to destroy the tranquility or composure or; and lastly to throw into disorder.

With those definitions added to the mix, I would agree with your basic definition:

"'Unmolested' means that the original look and purpose of the car have not been changed."

But I would mention that those using this term in regards to cars in general would be hoping that you would infer that there have been NO Repairs or Replacement effected at all other than standard maintenance items (oil, tires, etc.).

2¢

E

Any car that isn't catholic - oh I guess I went there ..........

All Natural Ingredients... Same story.

I would agree that easily reversible mods are ok. I would definitely say that rust and T-bone collisions trouble, plague, and torment a car.