For me it really depends what it is. A new or new-ish car with bumps and scrapes just looks unloved. whereas an old car can wear a few minor dings and blemishes as part of it's identity. Give me an old car with a bit of patina any day over an over blinged show queen.
The french have a phrase that I love for an original unrestored car as being "dans son jus" The odd scuff or mark here and there can all be part of a car's character and history - a bit Henry V before the battle of Agincourt "Then he will strip his sleeve, and show his arm and say "these wounds I had on Crispin's day".
Two of my favorite old cars have both been somewhat scruffy. My old 1968 Mini Cooper which I had as a student just looked like a fairly ropey old mini, but it went like poop of a chromed shovel & was great for surprising people and i loved it dearly. The second one was a 1934 Alvis Speed 20 Charlesworth bodied 3 position drophead belonging to an old customer of mine. It had been bought new by his grandfather and had never been sold, restored or even repainted, just properly maintained. It was simply gorgeous.
Having said all that, I have to say that I also rather liked Viper's Ratsun. I wouldn't want it as my only fun car tho'.
