[hubleyman]

Mudjnky,
The difference between "resurrection" and "restoration": If someone told me they did a "restoration" on their car I would have absolutely no idea what the car was like to start with. It could have been a very nice survivor or a POS basket case....
If you tell me you did a "resurrection" to a car, then I can safely assume you started with a pretty poor shape car and brought it back to life.
Neither situation indicates the quality of the work that was completed, but one of them tells you a better perspective of where the project started.
Of course, most likely only an honest person would be up front and let you know their car was in bad shape before the repairs, but this might save a handful of questions (or accusations) in the course of a sale....

Pete,
Thanks for the link to the "Survivor" judging info!! I must admit, they are far more flexible than I am as far as their standards. I tend to be over critical, but considering my viewpoint is that of a buyer and not just a judge at a car show, than I need to be.... My frustration comes from the over-use and mis-use of some of the terms we use to describe our cars.
Case-in-point: I was just checking out a really cool Shelby GT500 that's for sale. It's represented as a survivor. It's had a full repaint, doesn't have the original engine, and doesn't run because it's been stored for 20 years....
Except for the not running part (which could be easily addressed), it should meet the minimum criteria for a survivor based on the Bloomington Gold standards.
Is it a survivor? Of course it is, because they all are to some extent (as you stated each vehicle needs to be critiqued individually). Would I like to own it? Definitely!! But it doesn't meet with my standards of what I look for in a survivor class vehicle for my collection. To each their own, as they say.....
Several cars I viewed recently were described as 100% original. They typically had interiors changed, replacement engines or drivetrains, only one repaint or perhaps the intake and carb replaced with aftermarket parts and a nice Flowmaster exhaust system with Hooker Headers, yet still claiming 100% original. Doesn't 100% in old school math mean everything, not the majority? There I go getting picky again, must be my OCD kicking in again..........

Andy,
I really like the name "Phoenix" !! Might not go over to well selling a car in an auction in Scottsdale..... Basically I would just love to see a term that shows the seller has some honesty and integrity, and save me from having to specifically ask him whether the car was a POS before the resto..... Seems some sellers have the "you have ask me that directly before I will tell you" kind of attitude when it comes to peddling their wares....... Very frustrating and a complete waste of time for serious buyers.