The concept of restomod has been around for nearly as long as cars themselves. The classic hot-rod combo of a Mustang steering rack, Chevy small block, and Ford rear end is just one example of this. What is relatively recent about it all is the name: restomod. What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide will answer many of your restomod questions.
So, what is a restomod? A restomod is a classic car that has been restored and modified. Not surprisingly, the term restomod raises plenty of questions and opinions about classic cars, restorations, and modifications. In a nutshell, a restomod is a combination of the words “restored” and “modified” and is a seamless combination of both the old and new.
There is a lot to know about restomods. The names used to describe classic cars like numbers matching, pro touring, and others can be a little confusing. Additionally, it seems like there are not a ton of resources out there that tells you exactly what you need to know. That’s where we come in. Let’s start with the basics.
The Expansion of Restomod
A restomod consists of two distinct components: restoration and modification. The vehicle’s body’s completely restored and appears to be in like-new condition. Looking at it solely from an exterior standpoint, it shouldn’t be obvious that the car didn’t just roll off the assembly line a few moments before.
The second part of the restomod concept is when the vehicle is modified. This typically centers on improvements made in the name of handling, safety, performance, and other elements. Since the vehicle has been both restored and modified, it’s now a restomod.
Car Culture
As noted above, restomod in some form or another has long been part of car culture and so has the question, what is a restomod?. Like much of the auto industry, restomod has matured over the years though. Instead of cobbling different original parts together, restomod takes the restoration concept a step further by integrating after-market parts that simply weren’t available previously.
Harnessing this technology and modifying a beloved car so that it meets the owner’s goals for speed, performance and safety make the end result something truly special to behold and appreciate.
A classic car that’s been restomodded may look completely original from the outside. Underneath that outer shell, though, the vehicle could actually be completely new and made of aftermarket parts.
What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide – Restoration vs Restomod: What’s the Difference?
A classic car elicits an unfathomable response in car lovers that can be difficult to explain to those who don’t have the same kind of enthusiasm for them. If you find one that strikes a chord in your heart, then the first choice you often have to make after acquiring it is if you should restore it or restomod it. Determining which route will best meet your needs starts with a thorough understanding of the differences between the two concepts.
Restoration
A restoration is focused on bringing a classic car back to its factory greatness. Using all — or nearly all — original factory parts, the focus is on making the vehicle over from top to bottom, internally and externally. After the restoration, the car should look like it just left the factory.
Restomod
A restomod, in contrast, starts with the same classic vehicle with the intent to restore it so it looks identical — or very nearly so — to the way it originally looked. That is, from the outside, it would be difficult for someone to determine that most restomod projects aren’t a fully-restored vehicle.
Underneath it all, though, is where the differences lie. Inside the cabin, under the hood, and beneath the seats is where the latest technology and aftermarket parts bring the vehicle’s true potential to life. Increased performance, an improved ride, and greater safety are just a few reasons why a car owner might decide on a restomod project instead of a restoration one.
Hot Rod vs Restomod: What’s the Difference?
Some people might be reading and think that restomod is just a trendy new word for something that’s been around for a long time: hot rodding. While the two concepts definitely share some crucial similarities, there are also significant differences that cause them to deviate from one another.
Hot rodding and restomodding both involve adding aftermarket parts to a vehicle. However, this is where there is a sharp deviation. Hot rodding takes the best components of different models, eras, and what-have-you and cobbles them together to create a beast of a car. You can often take one look at your favorite hot rod and pick out all the modifications, performance parts, and upgrades.
Restomods have original-looking bodies. Custom paint, larger wheels, and other components indicate a modified vehicle.
With a restomod, though, there are often additional modifications to the interior in the form of safety and comfort. Under the hood, too, the engines of most restomod vehicles have significant upgrades that boost their power and performance in such a way that doesn’t leave efficiency behind.
Pro-Touring vs Restomod: What’s the Difference?
Pro touring is a modified classic muscle car that meets or exceeds modern performance standards. Restomod involves restoring a classic car so that its aesthetics match the original, but its engine, transmission, and other parts are high-performance upgrades.
Pro-touring cars and restomod vehicles share many similar characteristics. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that many restomod builds that are at the higher end of the scale also fall into the category of being a pro-touring car. Pro-touring cars are meant to be driven, not admired. Restomods are pro-touring cars because they have improved performance and handling.
Pro-touring cars usually start as classic muscle cars. This serves as the foundation for enhancements that often focus on its brake system, suspension, drivetrain, and aesthetics. The core focus of the pro-touring style is modifying a muscle car so it’s functional as a daily driver, on the drag strip, at the race track, or wherever the car owner might want to put it through its paces.
What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide – When Restoring a Car Makes Sense?
When deciding whether to restore a car to its original form or opt for a restomod project instead, it’s important for the car owner to be honest with themselves about a few important things.
What are your goals?
This is the cornerstone of your decision about restoring a car or choosing to restomod it. Are you wanting to take it on the car show circuit and secure some coveted prizes? Do you want a weekend driver to amble along the countryside? Do you want to auction it off and recoup a profit?
Keep in mind that, in general, a restored vehicle may hold its value better or at least as well as one that’s a restomod. Unless you have a rare or valuable classic car, your chances of making a profit are slim.
If you have dreams of having the quintessential weekend driving machine or something that will wow the crowds at car shows, a restoration might be the best option.
What condition is the car in?
The condition of the car you’re considering is something that should guide your decision-making. In general, a car that has matching original major components — a concept known as numbers matching — is fairly rare. A car that’s in very good condition is more likely to have its numbers match and be a candidate for restoration.
Classic cars with multiple owners are more common. This leads to owners cobbling together parts to repair and maintain the vehicle. A car that has been a daily driver or that has seen significant repairs is more likely to lead to a restoration process that is time-consuming, costly, and frustrating when it comes to locating the original parts.
What’s your budget?
Classic car restomod lovers span the gamut of human existence. It’s safe to say that there isn’t a typical classic car person simply because the appeal of these machines transcends so many elements.
In spite of their near-universal love of classic cars, though, not all car owners have the same kind of budget — either for time or money.
The reality of restoration is that it’s truly a process. Fully restoring a classic car to its original condition is an adventure that can be long and expensive. You’ll need hours to find original, no-longer-produced parts.
Outsourcing this process to a specialist is even more costly and can be frustrating for the car owner. If progress is slow.
On the other hand, once it’s complete, a restored classic car will often be more valuable for the owner. The worth of the vehicle increases if there is a niche market for the vehicle.
What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide – Traditionalist vs Modernist?
Just as there are different degrees in everything in life, so too are there in the classic car world. For the traditionalist, doing anything to a classic car in terms of modernizing it is like a slap in the face to the vehicle’s appeal and greatness.
The traditionalist believes that lovingly restoring a vehicle is the only option. In spite of the many advances made in the automotive industry over the past few decades — and acknowledging their inherent flaws — the traditionalist will choose form over functionality every time when it comes to a classic car.
A modernist, on the other hand, take a more middle-of-the-road approach to classic cars. While they love the classic good looks of their favorite vehicle, the modernist knows that improvements in safety, performance, and comfort can boost the car’s functionality in a way that it could never achieve as a restoration.
This focus on functionality over a strict adherence to form — both inside and out — is what sets a modernist apart from a traditionalist.
How is the car going to be used?
Another crucial consideration is your future plans for the vehicle. A full restoration is generally going to be the choice for someone who wants to drive the car occasionally. Or on the weekends or who wants to enter it into car shows.
If you’re planning to use your classic car as a daily driver, a restomod might be a better choice. Think about your commute and the increase in fuel efficiency. Then also consider comfort and modern conveniences you’ll enjoy if you restomod the car.
Any children — or even yourself if you have someone at home who depends on you — can benefit from the addition of safety features. These features include seat belts, disc brakes, and intermittent windshield wipers.
Why Restomod a Car?
When asking car enthusiasts for their top reasons for restomodding their car, chances are they will have different answers. The answer may vary however, there will be a similar underlying theme: safety.
Modifying cars originally got its start because car lovers wanted to combine the most powerful parts of their favorite vehicles. As a result, they were then able to create the ultimate machine — see the hot rod example from above.
In other instances, adding aftermarket parts boosted the speed and power of their vehicle. But they also retained the original and unique flavor of that particular model.
For instance, diehard Chevy fans would never consider adding a Ford rear end to their car. They’d simply source the necessary parts from another Chevy or turn to aftermarket products to meet their needs.
Fast forward to today and the appreciation for the powerful muscle cars and their ilk still runs strong and true. With the advances made in aftermarket parts, car owners can now install improvements to handle power. For example, things like roll cages and five-point racing harness to boost their chances of surviving that power unscathed.
Some Restomod Options
Restomods can range from sharing only the body shell to completely modifying the car. They can also encumber vehicles that have a combination of both OEM parts and modern components. In the end, it boils down to what a particular car owner wants to accomplish with this project.
In spite of what appears to be a gaping divide between the restored and restomods, there are some commonalities between them. While not every restomod has the same components, below are some of the more popular replacement options:
Disc brakes
Drum brakes are commonly replaced with disc brakes. The fact that disc brakes are moisture-resistant and free of fade means they’re tops for both performance and safety.
Overdrive transmission
Swapping out the original transmission for a newer option provides plenty of advantages. Not only do they have smoother shifting and additional gears, but the fact that they have overdrive means more benefits. And, driving at lower engine speeds helps reduce motor wear and noise while boosting fuel economy.
Suspension
Even minor upgrades to the original suspension can make a huge difference in both handling and control. Updated A-arms, polyurethane bushings, and Panhard bars, for example, help keep the vehicle moving straight. Even when the vehicles are at full throttle — and provide the control needed around turns.
A complete Coil-over independent suspension is the ultimate restomod. Unfortunately, it’s simply not a viable option for most vehicles.
Safety components
These can span the gamut from the simple to the more complex. Some examples include a lap and shoulder seat belt combination, a five-point racing harness, and relays designed to reduce the electric current that’s running through the switches and disc brakes.
Wheels and tires
Like many of the restomod options already highlighted above, the choice to move to larger wheels offers both a safety and performance boost.
Today’s tires are more performance-oriented than those available for vintage cars. Opting for them opens up opportunities for greater control, traction, performance, and more.
Entertainment
Every other option covered in this list had safety, as well as performance, aspects to it. However, expanding on the availability of head units that are decidedly vintage in looks to allow car owners to take advantage of their personal playlists with the addition of a hidden plug simply makes each drive that much better.
Restomod Levels and Modification Classifications
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to classifying restomods, there are some ways of doing so.
It helps to sort modifications into three broad categories. For ease of organization the categories are as follows:
Performance and Power
This category is pretty self-explanatory and includes modifications to the car’s rear end, engine, transmission, and other related components. Any mods that increase the vehicle’s power and performance go here.
Appearance
When categorizing modifications by appearance, you may first think of the car’s exterior.r. This area also includes the interior. And, improvements to the car’s stance, body, and paint would fall into this category.
Additionally, any interior improvements such as five-point racing harnesses or vintage head units for the entertainment system would also land here.
Suspension
Anything that improves the steering, handling, and suspension of the vehicle would be under the suspension category. Items included are modern coil-over-shock kits, stabilizer links, and custom control arms.
For the regular Joe who is performing their own modifications — with or without the assistance of some pros along the way — the levels of modification can be similarly categorized based on how many of the above have been added to the vehicle.
Levels of modification
- A vehicle with at least one of the above classifications.
- The vehicle would include two of them.
- The vehicle applies to those vehicles that have all three classifications.
Concours d’Elegance
A custom that originated in France during the 17th century, the concept of Concours d’Elegance has evolved over its lifetime. Translating to a “competition of elegance,” Concours d’Elegance originally involved aristocrats who flocked to Paris parks in their horse-drawn carriages.
As cars began to overtake these carriages, the gatherings took on a more competitive edge with a focus on the vehicles’ appearance. The United States’ first Concours d’Elegance took place in 1950. The location was in Monterey, California at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. It coincided with the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Race and is arguably the country’s most well-known event of its kind.
Judging
Typically, the judging of a Concours d’Elegance event far exceeds other types of auto shows. This is true even when the show is a charitable event, which most in the United States are. There are exacting demands and competitiveness in a Concours d’Elegance. As a result of these demands and competition, these vehicles have been known to be restored beyond mint conditions.
The judging of a Concours d’Elegance vehicle encompasses literally every component of the car. As a result, the judges examine each area of the vehicle thoroughly. In order to be eligible for trophy class, the vehicle must be in perfect — or nearly perfect — condition.
To differentiate the two, mint condition is the vehicle’s state when it rolled off the factory line. A Concours d’Elegance vehicle is restored and may include modified paint. In addition, the upholstery, mechanical components, and plating are also upgraded. These restomods elevate the condition of the vehicle so it exceeds even mint condition.
Concours d’Elegance competitions have included classic cars for a very long time. The difference with this category is that the emphasis is equally on condition and originality. The focus is on restoring the vehicle to the same factory condition or better.
Modifications
Modifications to the car are allowed only if they are original. and the modifications need to be suitable for the car’s year and model. Some Concours d’Elegance competitions allow the use of after-market accessories and equipment as long as they are suitable for the applicable time period.
In this way, some Concours d’Elegance competitions feature vehicles that have undergone extensive restomod efforts. Due to the rigorous standards involved in a Concours d’Elegance event, this level of restomod is often beyond the average car owner’s expertise, budget and efforts.
What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide – Benefits of a Restomod
To sum it all up, here are some of the most important benefits of restomod over the other options available for restoring and outfitting a classic car.
Safety, safety, safety
The benefits of a restomod simply cannot be stressed enough. The technological advances that have been made in the automotive safety arena over the past 40 years are nothing short of mind-blowing. To not take advantage of these and still have the head-turning beauty of your favorite classic car is simply difficult.
Performance
The exhilaration of feeling the raw power of a rumbling engine is awesome. It’s something that draws many people to the classic car movement. Moreover, when you swap out the original engine with something more modern, streamlined, fuel-efficient, and powerful, it’s a winning combination that simply cannot be surpassed.
Versatile
A restomod is one of the most versatile vehicles you’ll ever drive in your lifetime. The restomod is not just your favorite classic car that’s been lovingly and painstakingly restomodded. Now, it can be used as your daily commuter car during the week.
You can also use it to drive the family to outings on the weekends. Another benefit of the restomod is you can drive it to partake in the occasional local car show when the opportunity presents itself. You won’t be able to enjoy that same kind of flexibility with the other restoration options available today.
Technological Advances
The technological advances the automotive industry has made over the past four decades are astonishing. If you don’t take advantage of them, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
An example is an increase in comfort that’s afforded by newer suspensions that are out on the market today. Many classic cars simply didn’t come with the option of air conditioning. In many parts of the United States today, this isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity!
Sound-deadening materials make it more comfortable to talk with your passengers or to carry on a cell phone conversation. In addition, sound deadening material actually helps a restomod car audio system sound better. For more information, check out my article the ultimate guide to upgrading the car audio system in your restomod.
Many states have passed legislation that you must use hands-free devices while driving. Installing hands-free devices in a classic car means you can take advantage of modern technology. In addition, you can ensure staying on the right side of the law.
Auto navigation, remote start, and a modern entertainment system aren’t just nice luxuries to have. Instead, they are pretty standard equipment for most modern cars.
Reliability
Today’s modern engines have been built to be more durable and reliable. With the focus on fuel efficiency, they also make a difference at the pump and for the environment.
Parts for a restomod are much easier to find when it needs to be serviced and maintained. This means you can easily get back on the road in a matter of days or even hours. And, the parts are also less expensive because they’re still being manufactured.
Good Investment
There will likely always be those fans of restored classic cars that are original from top to bottom. Restomods are a method for today’s drivers to own and drive a classically-styled car.
In an article titled, “The Rise of Restomods,” Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson cites the growing demand for professionally built restomods. A prime example was a multiple award-winning 1971 Plymouth HEMI ’Cuda. This was built by Alan Johnson of Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Alabama that sold for $588,500 way back in 2007. Other professionally built Resto-Mods that have made their mark at Barrett-Jackson auctions include:
- 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Convertible (Scottsdale 201) $440,000
- 1938 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Coupe Street Rod (Scottsdale 2004 $440,000
- 1936 Cadillac Custom Convertible (Scottsdale 2015) $440,000
- 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Custom Coupe (Scottsdale 2019) – $385,000
- 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Convertible (Scottsdale 2019) $363,000
“The next phenomenon – we have 700 of them here – is restomods. Restomods are going to continue. We were early adopters, we started selling restomods in prime time Saturday in ’05. I had some journalist ask me what the eff am I doing, these aren’t collector cars. I told him, Why isn’t a hand-made hot rod, or somebody that’s taken a car and put all these hours into it, not a modern day piece of art? But the nice thing about restomods, which goes to your first question, is you can drive them. Have you been in the GM booth? You see the Fast and Furious car?”
Craig Jackson on why his company embraced restomods and positive view on them as investments.
What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide – Related Questions
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 do the work, and which modifications you make will all affect cost.
First, we assume the classic car has a quality restoration and so the only variables left to determine worth is how rare the car is and how many and what type of modifications have been. Without taking rarity into account, the amount a restomod is worth varies but is generally between $50,000 -$75,000 for an entry-level restomod. The price increased to $150,000-$200,000 for a mid-grade restomod. And, a completely custom restomod can be worth over $500,000.
Rarity is another factor used to determine worth. Simply put, there are so many variables to subjectively give the “worth” of a rare restomod, let alone one with any level of professional modification/customization. However, it’s more than safe to say the worth of a professionally built restomod easily soars well over $1,000,0000.
Evaluate your options fully, read over and scrutinize every detail, and work with a reputable lender that specializes in restomod lending.
Pro touring refers to a kind of classic muscle car that has been fundamentally enhanced to either meet –– or quite often surpass –– the performance standards of a modern performance vehicle. Restomod is an approach that involves restoring a classic car so that most –– or all –– of its esthetics match the original version, but significant high-performance upgrades have been made to the engine, transmission, and other systems and parts.
So, What Is A Restomod – A Definitive Guide
A restomod is a car people not only love to look at. But, a restomod is also a car people can own without compromising other important components like safety, reliability, comfort and more technology. With millennials driving more buying decisions than ever before, it’s a way for them to have it all without compromise.
