STUPID QUESTION? WHAT is the true definition of "original?

[smorrismi]

I inherited a 69 stingray convertible with 54,000 original miles. Before I inherited it, it unfortunately sat out in the weather for way too long and has deteriorated, but isn't so far gone that I can't fix it up to it's original state. I would like to keep it "as original as possible." SO, is buying replacment parts and accessories like seats, engine parts, from companies that manufacture these parts considered keeping it original??? They are the same exact parts that were on it when it came off the line. PLACE: corvetteamerica.com

OR is it better to find parts, in good condition, used to put on the vehicle?

[Hudzilla]

It's only origional once. You can restore it all you want and do a beautiful job ,but strictly speaking it stopped being origional the day parts were replaced. Is this the end of the world? well no but there are some people who get really weird about this stuff. They're called anal. Like the guy in Ohio who got the dead corpse of a Plymouth line inspector to recreate the chalk mark on the rearend of his car .Read about it Cars and Parts from several months ago..

[tristansdaz]

It can be argued that the first tank of gas or the first oil change starts to make the car 'unoriginal'. There are a few cars that were purchased new and put into a time capsule type environment where they were never driven. Bill Harrah of Harrah's Automobile Collection fame used to do that every year as he was also a car dealer.
However, does 'original' make the car more valuable or more enjoyable? I make the point that old cars are to be enjoyed for the vehicles they are. Restore, modify, Kustomize, it's your car. Have fun and don't worry about value! Unless your car is one of under a hundred or so...it's probably not worth the last degree of restoration.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[DJEckart]

My newbie opinion is that original is AS DELIVERED from the dealer. I don't know that I'd go as far as considering consumables (liquids, filters, etc.) as a disqualification from original status though. But I also think the point is to enjoy both the restoration/fabrication as well as the finished product. Build/rebuild it to YOUR specs - they way you would like it to look and run - and enjoy the hell out of it.