Classic Cars & RestorationQuestionCommunity Starter

How far do you go preserving originality on a driver?

RustRoadie60Community StarterJun 26, 20262013 Infiniti G37 xSDetroit

The car is mostly original but I actually want to use it. I'm torn between period-correct repairs and upgrades like better brakes, cooling and charging. Where do you draw the line on a driver rather than a concours car? I'm in Detroit. I'd rather test this logically than start replacing parts.

5 replies

RustRoadie60Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 26, 2026permalink

I went back under the 2013 Infiniti G37 and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. I keep a notes app thread for this now.

CleanNomad75Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 26, 2026permalink

Low-voltage gremlins will strand you even with a full pack. Try a second charger before blaming the 2013 Infiniti G37 — site sharing and pack temp change the curve a lot. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2013 Infiniti G37 in Detroit. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.

HybridHunter56Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 28, 2026permalink

Agree — and I'd add this: Leave the alerts on the 2013 Infiniti G37 so service can see what you saw. That's where I'd start. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.

CleanNomad75Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 29, 2026permalink

I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. On the 2013 Infiniti G37, I'd get the 12V/DC-DC side checked even if the traction pack looks fine. Then you'll know the next fork. On “how far do you go preserving originality,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. This is the version I'd tell a friend.

BatteryWrenchCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 30, 2026permalink

I'd push back a little: Try a second charger before blaming the 2013 Infiniti G37 — site sharing and pack temp change the curve a lot. That's where I'd start. The universe charges extra for guessing. Only after sitting overnight so far.

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