FOR Let me explain. I drag race. I have a 69 Mercury Cougar XR-7. The body is stock looking, but the suspension and engine are modified for racing, add the roll cage. To me, the WWII fighters are the muscle car equivalent. My car was a unmolested street car when I bought it, and modified to race. No it isn't worth the left landing gear of a P-51, but in the big picture the same thing.
The people with the money will continue to restore these rare craft, and keep the ones flying now still in the show. But if someone that had the money, wants to race one, game on!
I love seeing these old birds in a museum. But I really love to see, smell and hear them fly. But to see them race (which I have not yet been able) would be a dream come true! These planes were obviously made for war, to kill. But now they can be the ultimate expression in piston aircraft performance. I would hate to see that end.
I equate going to a drag race and watching purpose built dragsters. These vehicles were built only to drag race. They never graced the roads we drive, they are built only for the track and that makes them less special. Now if you have ever watched a Stock eliminator, or Super Stock eliminator drag race, the exitement level is multiplied. There you will see rare, factory built muscle cars; 426 Hemi Mopars, 428 or 427 Fords, 421 Pontiacs, 427 Chevys and the like, beating on each other to perform. LOVE IT. Yes the purpose built dragsters are faster, but they lack the soul of a vehicle built for another purpose and adapted to racing.
My big ticket on my bucket list is to travel to Reno, and see, smell, feel and hear a Merlin, Allison or Pratt, give everything it has to offer!
My edit; Also, for what it is worth. When I went to the 2007 Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in Columbus, Ohio. I drooled on several aircraft, but to me the one that really stood out was Precious Metal, a P-51 racer with a Griffon and a counter rotating prop, teardrop canopy, clipped wings, etc.