Hi all,I recently came across what appear to be two 'original' (more or less...) Eames first generation Zenith shells with dowel leg bases (one swivels, the other doesn't). I realize that this combination (if the bases are vintage and original to the chairs) seems to be rather rare, that's why I would like some advice on how to proceed - or not - restoring these.Both are somewhat flawed: the darker shell (any ideas what color this is?) is in great condition, no cracks, very little shockmount bleed, while the lighter one (lemon yellow?) has a significant crack and some heavy bleed on the front mounts. Both dowel bases appear to be vintage (can anyone confirm this?), but seem to have been repaired at some stage: the swivel base has had additional cross bars added, and one of the dowels is cracked. The fixed base is missing one original mounting bracket that has been replaced by a 'homemade' bracket.My initial thinking was to switch the less damaged (fixed) base to the undamaged shell and replace the mounting bracket with a repro one to have at least one fully functional chair. I would appreciate any info and opinion on the originality of these as well as your experts' input on possible restoration. (Not trying to sell, but purely for my own enjoyment, however, I generally try to be as minimally invasive as possible...)Thanks!additional images: http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/kazimir2/library/Eames%20PAW_DAW 
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Thanks, objectworship. Sitting in it is possible within limits - at least for me who is somewhat sensitive to the issue. I definitely wouldn't want to use it in my living room for less sensitive (...and potentially heavier) guests.
"Frustration of the skewed balance of positives and negatives" - I like that. What I have been asking myself is where in that balance the fact, that the base had obviously been heavily modified before, falls. Is it part of the history of the chair. I guess, although it could have happened two years ago. And then, wouldn't any repair now (i.e. replace/re-glue cracked dowel) not become part of the history, too?
How does repair (in the sense of making fully functional) a base compare to switching a base for another vintage one of the same period/chair model? Is repair preferable to switch? Or leave as is and use according to condition?
Interesting grey zone for a relatively new addict like me...
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