Not really agreeing with this but then it really comes down to the condition of the original paint. If well preserved, I too wouldn't dream of painting it. But vehicles with original paint that is flaking, peeled, scratched or faded? These have become their own market but not bringing more than a nice shiny painted version at the auctions I see.

Exceptions of course are exotics and true antiques. John Lennon's guitar or furniture made when John Adams was a budding young barrister isn't the same thing as not painting your once-red-but-now-pink RB1 for fear you'll considerably reduce the value and leave the C&V community forever wondering "what was he thinking"?

Certainly I can't deny what the market dictates. It's just a puzzler for me.