I love classic Ford Mustangs and did a ton of research prior to buying one (which I ultimately never did). Regardless, a lot of people wonder what a restomod mustang is and have asked me multiple times. As a result, I decided to share what I learned about them.
So, what is a restomod Mustang? A restomod Mustang is one that has been restored and has some level of modification. Another way to think of it is that the modifications have “modernized” the vehicle. This definition varies from the textbook definition of a restomod but is more practical. So, resto (restored) + mod (modified) = restomod.
A restomod Mustang that’s been fully restored with all the original parts is a sight to behold. Not only does it look great, but it also preserves the history of the iconic pony car. For many owners, though, a complete restoration simply isn’t possible. It could be a matter of money or it could be the fact that using a classic Mustang for a daily driver is a lot better with some upgrades. We’ll dive into this topic and many others in this article
What Exactly is a Restomod Mustang?
If you think there’s a quick and simple answer to the question: what is a restomod Mustang, then you’re sadly mistaken. Yes, I gave you a literal one previously but that’s just scratching the surface. Because there are numerous routes you can take with the restoration and modification and, regardless of which one you choose, you’ll still have a restomod Mustang. In its simplest terms, a restomod Mustang is one that has been upgraded with parts that use today’s modern technology, materials, and techniques.
In addition to having a limited budget that makes fully restoring a Mustang an impossible feat or wanting to make this classic muscle car ideal for driving on a daily basis, there is a third reason when you might consider restomodding. If you have a Mustang that’s been fully restored and you’ve taken it out on the judged show circuit for years, you might be getting bored and looking for your next project. Restomodding gives you the ability to make your Mustang look unique on your own terms.
Creativity
A great example of just how creative you can get with a restomod Mustang is what Ken Block has done with a 1965 Ford Mustang. The result has been coined as the Hoonicorn RTR V2 which features a Roush Yates Ford V8 engine that’s been modified thanks to a custom twin-turbo system. This allows the Mustang to experience a boost in power through a Switzer Dynamics intake manifold that’s been customized for the job. A Sadev all-wheel-drive transmission is married to this souped-up engine with a mind-blowing 1,400 horsepower being the result.
Approaching the Restomod Process
Many of the ways you can restomod a Mustang are either nearly-invisible, easily reversed or both. The upgrades you decide to do are likely going to be largely tied to the reasons you’re going the restomod route in the first place.
If you’re wanting to restore your Mustang but you have a limited budget, for example, you might choose those modifications and restorations that give the car a more authentic look. Opting for the daily driver route will likely mean that you’ll focus your sights on those improvements that will increase the car’s safety, comfort and fuel efficiency.
Moving a Mustang that you once prized for its performance on the show field from the trailer and out on the road might take some getting used to at first. One idea is to ease into the restomod process with upgrades that are easily reversible such as installing modern radial tires that are wrapped around 16-inch vintage 45 wheels.
Another option is to focus on a modification that isn’t blatantly obvious to the casual observer. Swapping out the points and condenser and installing an electronic ignition that’s under a distributor cap that could be mistaken for a stock is one example. Another is to add an overdrive transmission.
Mustang Restomod Ideas
There are a number of popular options for restomodding a Mustang. The exact ones you choose will depend on a number of factors such as your goals, budget and if you want to be able to reverse your efforts easily. Below are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Brakes
In terms of safety, replacing the Mustang’s original drum brakes with disc brakes is a must if you’re going to be doing any kind of extensive driving. Doing so will greatly improve the car’s ability to stop. It will also reduce the possibility of brake fade too. While opting for disc brakes on the front of your Mustang is a no-brainer in terms of safety, adding them to the rear is an excellent idea as well.
2. Suspension
Another safety-oriented improvement is to add a modern suspension system. These days, suspensions are more durable and engage technology that makes them adept at keeping your Mustang stable. This translates to better control during cornering and the ability to keep the car driving in a straight line with much less input from you.
Even minor suspension upgrades can significantly improve the way your Mustang handles. First, start with thoroughly inspecting every element of the suspension system. Next, swap in gas shocks, bigger anti-sway bars, and stiffer springs. End the modification with an accurate front-end alignment.
3. Overdrive transmission
An overdrive transmission is one of the most popular modifications that is performed on a Mustang — after the safety updates have been taken care of. You can go the aftermarket route and choose something from a trusted source like Lentech Automatics — for an automatic — or BorgWarner if you have a three- or four-speed manual transmission. Another option is to go to the donor car route.
Regardless of which method you choose to swap your Mustang to an overdrive transmission, your classic car will thank you. There’s less engine wear which means that your motor will likely last longer. Better fuel economy and smoother highway driving are other benefits you’ll notice immediately.
4. Wheels and Tires
Besides the actual Mustang body style, there are few other exterior upgrades that highlight it claims to muscle car glory than bigger tires that are wrapped around larger-diameter wheels. As an added bonus, when making this restomod, you can easily go back to the original wheels and tires anytime you want and with very little effort.
While you might want to play around with different sizes, sticking with a 15-inch wheel usually means that you won’t have any issues with fit. Going up to a 16-inch wheel gives your Mustang a more aggressive look and you usually won’t run into sizing issues. Even a 17-inch wheel can be used as long as you choose a tire that isn’t too large and make sure to use the correct wheel offset.
5. Interior Upgrades
The addition of lap-and-shoulder combination seatbelts should be one of the first upgrades you make in the cabin — especially if you’ll be using your Mustang to haul your kids and family around town on a regular basis. You can also opt for a more racing-orient theme and go for sport bucket seats with five-point harnesses.
Power windows and door locks — along with upgraded door panels, if you want to go that route — can greatly improve your comfort level on long drives and during your daily commute. Don’t think you have to suffer from the AM radio that most classic Mustangs came stock with. An FM radio, Bluetooth capability, and USB ports can effectively hide behind a head unit that anyone would be hard-pressed to differentiate from the original unless you pointed it out to them.
6. Electronic Fuel Injection
If you aren’t particularly concerned with being able to change your Mustang back to stock, converting it to electronic fuel injection can really boost the car’s performance. When coupled with an overdrive transmission, your restomod Mustang will give you a thrilling ride every time. You’ll also attract lots of attention on the road, at your local cruise night and virtually anywhere every time you bring your Mustang out where you can put it through its paces.
While it can be difficult to give you a definitive answer to the question of what is a restomod Mustang, there is one thing that is certain. No matter which level of restomodding you choose, the benefits are transformative. Improved safety, looks, comfort, and performance are just a few of the many advantages that choosing to restomod your Mustang can provide.
Related Questions:
A restomod is a classic car that has been restored and modified. Another way to think of it is by taking the best of the old and mixing it with the best of the new. Improved reliability, performance, drivability, and safety, are just a few of the improvements.
You knew a hand-built Mustang restomod wouldn’t be cheap, and alas, the base retail price for the Revology Mustangs starts at a rather dear $119,500 for the fastback and $122,000 for the convertible.
First, we assume the classic car is in very poor condition and the following areas will be completely restored and modernized: interior, exterior, suspension, brakes, engine, fuel system, electrical, and exhaust system. The cost to build a restomod varies but is generally between $90,000-140,000.
