Step back a second here. Forty years ago, the NRA of USA published a little book on the Garand. At the back was a well written section on how to sporterize these ugly old army rifles. The gunsmith who converted that M1 in NZ clearly read the book, right down to the ramped front sight.
I know a fellow from NS whose father hunted for many years with a sporterized Garand. Its looks obviously didn't offend him or contaminate his DNA. Andy, the son, is a great guy, a former Bisley shooter and a clever Air Force pilot.
The writer was not looking at the Garand as a precious artifact, to be handled delicately and with absolute reverence to JCG. No, he was answering the questions of gunsmiths who looked at all old rifles and army ones in particular as the basis for individualized lighter faster SPORTING firearms. The parts weren't around for an arsenal repair. Uncle wasn't finished using those rifles in the National Guard, and there was no internet to buy and sell stuff.
So, a sporterized Garand is no different than a hotrod car. Just because it isn't in original condition doesn't automatically make it bad.