Mark-8 Minicomputer Kit on E-bay

There is a strong parallel between this discussion and another hobby of mine; old Corvettes. In Corvette circles, however, there are guiding organizations that carefully research, document, classify and adjudicate what is original and what is not for a given car. You can, therefore, be sure that if you are buying a car judged by the National Corvette Restorers Society as "Top-Flight" then you are getting a car that is 94% original or better. Original in their case is defined as "that's the way it came from the factory." Points are deducted for aftermarket parts and modifications and undue damage to original parts. The vintage computer hobby is probably a long way from that type of situation, but many of the same "rules" apply and certainly the same issues arise from time to time. At least amongst those that collect for historical value over hacking value.