It's weird buying expensive stuff like boats after living your whole life surrounded by new consumer goods. I keep finding modifications/damage the previous owners made and have to figure out how to deal with them on my own.
Buying a used car is a similar experience, especially if it is a classic. So many quick-fixes, modifications, fixed and unfixed damage, and for vehicles from the 1960s even differences in factories.
A guy I used to work/hobby with could tell you which factory a Mustang was built in, and though in my era (1990s) the markings had all been gone, it is said that he and others could even tell you the name of the guy who assembled certain parts by the markings or other inconsistencies. When restoring a Mustang, these details (e.g. built by Mario in Dearborn in early 1967) are replicated by a good restorer. I believe that Jaguar also has affectionados who know the cars to that level of detail.
