Auto Restoration 101

I found this article on www.seattlepi.com.
It’s an interesting story and I am curious as to how it will turn out. It’s about a Seattle car collector who purchased a car that the French government claims is their national treasure. The car once belonged to the Duc de Montpensier. When the car arrived in the United States it was shown unrestored at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and took top honors.

Seattle classic-car buff losing prize to France

Paris says American’s $927,500 purchase violated its culture law

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER

Federal officials want to seize an antique automobile bought by a Seattle collector because the French government considers the 1919 Turcat-Mery — once owned by a descendant of the royal Bourbon dynasty — to be a national treasure.

Charles Morse is ready to return the car. He just wants the $927,518 he paid for it.

Morse, a connoisseur of classic cars, was in Paris a few years ago for an automobile event called Retromobile when he learned of the Turcat-Mery and later decided to buy it, according to a court document filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Cohen.

“It is a very special car,” said Morse, who was reached this week at his home in Sun Valley, Idaho. “It’s a one-off automobile with a wonderful history to it. It was built for the Duc de Montpensier, an heir to the French throne.

Read the rest HERE