One of the beautiful things about a restomod — besides the fact that you have a painstakingly restored car with modern parts and technology — is that you can customize it the way you want. But, what does a restomod car cost? And, why are there so many different prices for similar vehicles?
A restomod typically costs between $50,000-$75,000. Unlike a full restoration with all original parts that are required to transform a car back to its factory glory, a restomod starts with the same exterior shell. You can then fully replace nearly everything inside the cabin and under the hood with more modern upgrades or just focus on those items — like safety, performance or handling, for example — that are most appealing to you.
We will explore the cost of a restomod car in-depth including a variety of costs. The goal is to help you make an informed decision when considering purchasing a restomod.
Ideal for Every Classic Car Lover
Whether you’re a DIYer who loves to put your knowledge of your favorite classic cars to work on a project or your love of your favorite car far outstrips your skill level, you can customize a restomod to meet your specific needs. Things such as your budget, time available to spend on the project, and any space limitations can all be accommodated by a restomod.
Variable Cost
It’s understandable that you’d want to have an idea of how much it will cost you to restomod your classic car to meet your goals and vision. However, because of the huge variation in possible methods and parts you can choose to upgrade, it’s impossible to provide a one-size-fits-all figure. Instead, here are some general guidelines that can help you accurately estimate what a restomod car will cost.
First Considerations
Before starting any restomod project, it’s invaluable to map out a plan. This plan should take into consideration the condition of the car you’re using as well as your goals. A classic car that’s already in good shape and that only needs a few minor upgrades like new brakes and a fresh paint job is going to cost less than a vehicle that’s basically a rusted shell stored in a barn somewhere.
Your goals might be something as simple as making your favorite vintage muscle car safe and comfortable enough for you to use it as a daily driver. This could involve replacing the original drum brakes with disc brakes, installing modern seatbelts, swapping out the suspension so you can control the car more easily, and installing entertainment options like an FM radio, USB port, or an auxiliary jack.
At the other end of the spectrum are those restomod fans who want to take their favorite classic car to the limits. This means, that in addition to a body that turns heads everywhere it goes, the restomodding process also involves boosting the power, performance, and comfort using an array of aftermarket products. The result is a fast, nimble, throbbing Mustang, Camaro or another vintage car that completely changes the fabric of the brand.
Of course, there are lots of other different restomod routes in between these two extremes. The point here is to plan out your process so you have a clear route to get there.
There’s also no one saying you can’t change up the plan along the way either. Maybe you’ll decide to scale back your goals because of budget and/or time constraints. Or perhaps you’ll decide to drop in that more powerful electronic fuel-injected engine after all when you were adamantly against it at first.
Examples of Common Restomod Costs and Fees – What Does A Restomod Car Cost?
With your overall plan hashed out on paper, you’ll have a good sense of which of the following costs and fees will be applicable to your particular restomod project. That’s to say that it’s likely that not everything outlined below will apply to you.
It’s equally likely that there could be some costs and fees involved that aren’t mentioned below. This is meant to be a general guide — not a hard and fast example of the fees and costs involved in a restomod project.
Acquiring the Project Car
This is one of the most variable costs of restomodding a classic car. Depending on the vehicle’s condition, it could be the largest expense or the smallest of your project. Head to the junkyard and you can expect to pay just pennies on the dollar for a vintage car chassis up to several thousand dollars for a vehicle that could almost be drivable.
In the middle part of the price range are those classic cars that are in drivable condition, but they still need improvements to make them the best they can be. The owner might have even been using a vehicle that falls into this segment as a daily driver and already performed some basic upgrades like replacing the brakes, adding an FM radio, and the like. A price tag of several thousand dollars is not unheard of in this instance.
The upper limit of the cost spectrum would be if you purchase your dream car from a dealer or private party and it was already in good shape. You can expect the cost of a classic car in this condition to start in the five digits and go steadily upward depending on factors like the demand for the vehicle and the improvements that have already been made to it.
You’ll also need to make sure that the vehicle can pass a safety inspection if you’re going to use it as a daily driver. Don’t forget about registration fees and the hike in your auto insurance premiums.
Cost of Parts
The cost of the parts of your restomod project will depend greatly on two significant factors. The first factor — which has been touched on in several instances already — is the extent of the restomod you choose to do. More in-depth projects that involve replacing the original motor and transmission with ones that are more powerful and reliable will wind up costing you more. The cost of parts is a consideration when trying to determine what a restomod car costs.
The other factor is whether you plan to complete the work yourself, outsource it to a specialty shop, or some combination of both. If you do outsource any portion of the work to an outside shop, plan to pay a premium for any parts that they need to source. You’ll also need to factor in shipping fees if any of the parts you need can’t be found locally.
Labor Costs
Again, the price you’ll pay for labor depends heavily on how much of the work — if any — you decide to do on your own. There are several advantages to outsourcing the restomod to professionals who do this sort of thing all day, every day.
One benefit is that it’s likely that your restomod project will be completed more quickly than if you could only devote time after work and on the weekends to it. Another consideration is your skill level. You’ll want to be completely honest about your abilities before you try to tackle anything. Have a backup plan in place in case you can’t get through a sticking point.
On the other hand, if you’re like many people who find a restomod project appealing, then you likely have more than just a passing knowledge of how to replace certain car parts. Getting your hands dirty and actually replacing as many of the parts as you possibly can on your own is very motivating.
Doing as much of the restomod yourself and turning over those areas you aren’t as knowledgeable in over to the professionals can help you reduce your labor costs. Going the DIY route completely means that you’ll have almost no labor fees. Opting to take the car to a professional shop will set you back the most in labor costs.
Within these categories, there is a myriad of other costs that may or may not apply to you. For example, these can include finishing costs, fees for prepping the car for the restomod, and expedited shipping fees. Regardless of your approach to your restomod project, you’ll end up with a classic car that you’re proud to drive and call your own!
