So here's what I'm wondering:

In your mind, is cable housing a "consumable" part (like tires or cables) that, when looking at a restored C & V bike, you expect to find replaced with something recent? Or is it a permanent part that you would like to find in original condition? Would you rather see old housing in rough condition (like you would with paint), or new housing in good condition?

And if it's been replaced, how important is it to you that the replacement housing should replicate the original housing exactly? Does the sight of typical modern housing on, say, a '50s bike stick out to you like a sore thumb, or is it no big deal?