If you’re into classic cars, you may be familiar with the struggle of preserving the charm of your vintage ride while keeping it reliable, comfortable, and safe as a daily driver.
While you love the look and feel of your old car, outdated technology can make it impractical for daily driving. That’s where restomod comes in—offering you the perfect solution by blending timeless design with modern upgrades. From better performance to improved safety, restomod gives your classic car a fresh start.
In this article, you’ll discover how restomod is redefining the way you enjoy your vintage ride.
What is a Retromod?
A retromod is a classic car restored to its original look but upgraded with modern technology for better performance, safety, and comfort. The unique term is a combination of “restoration” and “modification,” – as these efforts cover both the process of rebuilding the vehicle and upgrading necessary parts.
These upgrades can range from installing a more efficient engine or improving suspension systems to adding features like air conditioning, power steering, or advanced sound systems. The goal is to enhance drivability, safety, and comfort without sacrificing the car’s classic aesthetic.
Restomods offer the best of both worlds: the timeless look of a vintage car combined with the reliability, power, and convenience of modern automotive engineering. For many, this means enjoying the beauty of their favorite classic while ensuring it can perform on today’s roads.
In short, a restomod maintains the soul of a classic car while making it functional and fun for everyday driving.
But one of the biggest challenges in restoring a classic beauty is getting the list of equipment it came with. Fortunately, with a classic car build sheet, you can get the full list of items you’d to restore.
What Parts of Classic Cars are Usually Upgraded in Restomod?
While restomod is a wide term that covers practically the entirety of a car, there are key components that are typically upgraded to blend modern performance with classic style. These components include
- Engine: An engine upgrade will significantly enhance the performance of classic cars, allowing them to keep up with modern roads and landscapes.
- Suspension: Modern car suspension systems are so incredible, especially compared to 20 – 30 years ago. So it makes sense to have them as an upgrade in a restomod project.
- Brakes: An upgrade in performance usually requires you to have better stopping power as well.
- Transmission: Smoother transition usually helps with a better driving experience, especially when combined with improved suspensions and engines.
- Electrical System: Older cars don’t usually have the latest entertainment systems, so it makes sense to swap the stock one with a modern one.
- Interior: The stock interior of classic cars are typically worn out – especially after decades of use. Upgrading to a more premium version helps with the overall aesthetics.
These upgrades help make a restomod both functional and enjoyable to drive, without sacrificing the original car’s timeless appeal.
Examples of Popular Restomods
Concrete examples demonstrating that restomods are far from an isolated trend but a diverse phenomenon are also worth mentioning. An example is the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro; this muscle car has been restyled, incorporating modern LS engines, an enhanced suspension system, and integrated infotainment systems.
One of the most attractive restomods is the 1971 Dodge Challenger, which looks as wild as it was in its heyday while offering a Hellcat engine and upgraded brakes. Another famous example of a restomod is the 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor with a new V8 engine, improved suspension, and various lavish comforts inside the car. These instances demonstrate that restomods can offer fresh new possibilities for iconic automobiles, blending old-fashioned aesthetics with modern practicality.
RELATED: 9 Best Classic Cars You Can Restore Yourself for Cheap
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
One of the best examples of a restomod can be the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. These modified cars usually come with a contemporary LS engine meaning they possess higher horsepower compared to the initial models.
Handling characteristics and the power of the suspension and braking systems have been brought up to the standard of modern cars. Inside, these cars might have contemporary features like air conditioning, touchscreen infotainment systems, and custom-crafted interiors, thereby providing the concept of both – retro luxury and comfort.
1971 Dodge Challenger
The original 1971 Dodge Challenger restomods may contain the Hellcat engine, which is nothing less than a brute force and creates enormous horsepower. This powertrain upgrade turns the conventional muscle car into a monster that can give the best, if not all, of today’s sports cars a run for their money.
In addition to their performance enhancements, these resto-mods usually integrate better safety features, updated interiors, and upgraded tires and rims to complement their aesthetics.
1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor
The most memorable restomod is probably the 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor, which was made popular by the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. The restomod has a new V8 engine and overall suspension system, and the interior has new leather seats, a modern sound system, and updated gauges.
The Eleanor is quite popular among restomod enthusiasts as it reflects how a common everyday car can be redesigned into a fast, comfortable, and safe vehicle for use in the 21st century.
Is a Restomod Better Than a Traditional Restoration?
This question is often asked by lovers of classics, and the answer is simple: the owner will have to decide what he is more interested in. Traditional restorations focus on keeping a car as close to its factory state as possible, which is helpful for collectors and those who prefer cars in their original condition. Restomods pay attention to performance, safety, and comfort, making them suitable for those who often plan to use their classic car and need contemporary features.
Do Restomods Diminish the Value of Classic Cars?
There is a distorted perception that restomods devalue the originality of classic cars. Nonetheless, a good restomod can add up to the car’s value and make it even more valuable because the changes made are done to offer an improved experience without disrespecting the car’s initial design. They can be popular among those who want to preserve the traditional styling of the car but at the same time get more power, comfort, and other features of cars manufactured today.
Conclusion
Building a restomod is a rather enticing approach to classic car restoration since it combines the old school looks with the contemporary engineering prowess to produce visually appealing cars that are functional.
If you’re a classic car enthusiast and planning to get your hands on a vintage car and wondering how to bring it back to its former glory or make it suitable for today’s roads and usage, then the world of restomods could be exactly what you are looking for. You can utilize our accurate classic build sheet tool to learn more about a classic car’s specifications and features, which can contribute to a smooth ‘resto-mod’ journey.
The allure of restomods is in erasing the boundary between old and new while providing a distinctive experience. A restomod offers an excellent chance of possessing and using a vehicle that can compete with modern cars in terms of performance, technology, and style while maintaining the nostalgic aura of the original car.
