The cost to restomod a car can often range higher than just one pretty penny. However, knowing the average cost to restomod a car can help you prepare and save for the larger bill.
So, what does it cost to restomod a car? It costs $50,000-$70,000 to restomod a car. There are two components to a restomod, the restoration itself and the modifications. Depending the level of restoration you choose, who does the work, and which modifications you make will all affect cost.
As I just mentioned, there are a few different factors that will affect the cost to restomod a car. And, these factors include the level of restoration performed (frame on vs frame off, who performs the work, and what modifications are made to the vehicle (e.g. safety, performance, drivability, etc…). However, to learn more about each of these factors, and what to look for when you restomod your car continue reading below!
Restoration Cost Factors
Restoration Prep/Dissasembly
During this process, all trim, glass, bumpers, grill, headlights, taillights, etc will be removed. In addition, the interior will also be removed.
Bodywork
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with bodywork:
| Good Condition No major rust or damage. Given the age of the given, the body will have some waves, signs, and/or scratches. As a result, the car will be stripped and spot blasted to bare metal. | $3,000 | to | $10,000 |
| Fair Condition Typical wear and tear of an older vehicle. Evidence of minor surface rust in truck floor, door jams, wheel wells, etc… | $10,000 | to | $15,000 |
| Poor Condition A considerable amount of rust, no floorboard, or they are routed out, trunk well, and doors are rusted. | $15,000 | to | $20,000 |
Body/Chassis Options
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with the Body and Chassis:
| Replace Glass | $450 | to | $1,200 |
| Replace Floor Plans (assumes interior has been removed) | $2,500 | to | $3,500 |
| Re-chrome Bumpers | $350 | to | $1,500 |
| Replace Exterior Trim and Lights | $500 | to | $1,200 |
| Cowl Hood | $450 | to | $1,000 |
| New Weather Strips | $1,200 | to | $2,500 |
| Chassis Reconditioning (clean and paint) | $750 | to | $2,500 |
Paint Options
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with paint:
| Driver and Mild Show Paint | $10,000 | to | $15,000 |
| Full Concourse Paint | $15,000 | to | $30,000 |
| Rally Style Stripe | $750 | to | $900 |
| Engine Compartment Paint | $350 | to | $500 |
Interior Options
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with the interior:
| Basic Interior recover front buckets/rear, stock interior-complete interior kit, and installation | $3,000 | to | $5,000 |
| Custom Interior | $5,000 | to | $10,000 |
| Paint Dash | $500 | to | $1,000 |
| Headliner | $500 | to | $1,000 |
| Carpet Replacement | $1,000 | to | $1,200 |
Mechanical
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with the mechanical:
| Basic Mechanical Compression check, new plugs, wires, carburetor rebuilt, new brakes, starter, alternator, battery, exhaust repair, replacement of rubber brake and/or fuel lines, shocks, tie rods, and suspension brushings. | $3,500 | to | $6,000 |
| Expanded Mechanical All the above plus engine and transmission reseal, ball joints, steering box rebuild, exhaust system rebuild, steel brake, fuel lines, wiper motor, power steering pump. | $6,000 | to | $15,000 |
| Expanded Plus Mechanical all the above plus engine and transmission rebuild, thorough repair of the vehicle wiring harness. | $15,000 | to | $30,000 |
| Complete Mechanical All the above plus replacement of the vehicle wiring harness, all steering and suspension components, and replacement of all the fuel and cooling system components. | $30,000 | to | $55,000 |
Mechanical Options
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with the mechanical options:
| Rear Disc Brake Conversion | $2,000 | to | $4,000 |
| Install Air Conditioning | $4,000 | to | $6,000 |
| Upgraded Exhaust With Headers | $1,500 | to | $2,500 |
| Engine Rebuild | $3,500 | to | $9,000 |
| Transmission Rebuild | $800 | to | $3,000 |
| Upgraded Wheels and Tires | $2,750 | to | $5,000 |
| Front Disc Brake Conversion | $3,000 | to | $8,000 |
Reassembly
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with reassembly:
| Install interior, glass, all trim, emblems, bumpers, grill, deck lick, doors, and hood | $2,000 | to | $4,000 |
Modification Cost Factors – How Much Does It Cost To Restomod A Car?
Now that we have a restored car we will look into the costs to modify it. Furthermore, there are a lot of similarities to pro-touring cars when speaking about restomods. For more information on that, please read “what is a restomod.” In addition, think of a restomod as being a less extreme version of a pro-touring car.
Common modifications we’ll factor into the cost of the restomodding of your vehicle include are as follows:
- Modern fuel-injected engines
- Six-speed transmissions
- Big billet wheels
- Totally custom interior
- Limited custom sheet metal fabrication
- Independent rear suspension
There are even a few luxury items as follows:
- Air conditioning
- Aftermarket stereo
- GPS navigation systems
- Power windows, locks, and seats
- Climate-controlled seats
- Backup camera
Modification Options – How Much Does It Cost To Restomod A Car?
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with common modifications:
| Modern Fuel-Injected Engines These are sometimes purchased used with low milage or ordered new from the factory so the price varies a great deal. | $5,000 | to | $50,000 |
| Six-Speed Transmissions The same story as above, you can buy these used or new. | $2,500 | to | $15,000 |
| Big Billet Wheels | $2,000 | to | $10,000 |
| Totally Custom Interior | $10,000 | to | $25,000 |
| Limited Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication | $5,000 | to | $20,000 |
| Independent Rear Suspension | $2,500 | $20,000 |
The following chart illustrates the costs associated with more luxurious modifications:
| Air Conditioning | $4,000 | to | $6,000 |
| Aftermarket Stereo | $500 | to | $25,000 |
| GPS Navigation Systems | $500 | to | $1,500 |
| Power Windows, Locks, and Seats | $1,500 | to | $5,000 |
| Climate-Controlled Seats | $750 | to | $10,000 |
| Backup Camera | $200 | to | $2,500 |
Total Expenses Vary – How Much Does It Cost To Restomod A Car?
So, if you add up all of the line items, you can see why it’s very hard to predict the cost to restomod a vehicle. However, there are just too many variables but the variables and potential are what the hobby is so darn fun.
There will likely always be those fans of restored classic cars that are original from top to bottom. However, times are shifting, though, and restomods are one way that today’s drivers are able to own and drive a classically-styled car they love to look at without compromising other important components like safety, reliability, comfort, and more technology.
Restoration + Modification = Worth?
The last top to discuss is the most popular related question to what does it cost to restomod a car, which is “what is restomod worth?” Just like when trying to determine the cost to restomod a car, it’s just as difficult to determine worth. But, there are some guidelines and the total amount invested is one talking point.
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the price of nearly any good or service is what someone will pay for it. However, according to Craig Jackson of Barrett Jackson, restomods are some of the highest-selling cars in the country. The increase in demand for them is only growing so depending on how you modify a restomod, it certainly has the chance to increase in value.
Related Questions
No, it is not hard to restore a car. Restoration of a car is not that difficult if you have all the body parts and accessories of a car. However, if a car is an old model and the parts of the car are missing then it can be difficult to find the parts. Patience is the key.
A typical “frame-off” restoration of a common, mid-’60s classic restomod will take at least 500 hours. Add to that any time spent learning specific techniques (or undoing mistakes), and you can quickly run up another few hundred hours.
The cost to paint a classic car restomod varies from $10,000 for a daily driver to up to $30,000 for a concourse quality paint job.
