If you’re a classic car enthusiast, you know how important it is to preserve their timeless beauty. So, if you have a vintage car you’d like to turn into a project, you have an important decision to make – should you restomod or restore the vehicle? Read on to dive into this topic so you can properly choose between restomod vs. restoration.
Restomod vs. Restoration: Here’s the Inside Scoop
The Origin of Restomod vs. Restoration
Since 1885, when Carl Benz introduced us to the first automobile, there has been a need for car repairs. Over time, a demand for people who understand how vehicles work and what it takes to get them back on the road created multiple professions and business opportunities. At some point, automobiles got old enough that basic repairs weren’t sufficient, and a true restoration was required. This industry began to take shape just after WWII.
The period after WWII was a time of peace and rebuilding for the United States. Many industrial entities were transformed from manufacturing parts for the war effort to making automotive products. The availability of repair components and new performance parts helped jumpstart the hot rod culture. Over time, hot rod culture changed and evolved as mechanics and builders figured out different ways of doing things.
Around the 1990s, a new trend began to emerge. Car enthusiasts had always transplanted parts from one vehicle into another to improve performance, but suddenly the idea was taken to another level. The theme was to modernize as many functions of the classic vehicle as possible. As a result, restomods and VetteRods were born.
Choosing Restomod vs. Restoration
The new restomod trend didn’t sit well with many Corvette enthusiasts who wanted to keep the automobiles as original as possible. These “purists” viewed the restomod trend as a direct assault on the originality of the classic C1, C2, or C3 Corvettes they felt they were tasked with preserving. Nonetheless, restomods continued to evolve, and suddenly owners of classic automobiles were faced with a difficult question, “Do I restore my vehicle or restomod the Vette?”
When asking this question of restomod vs. restoration, there are quite a few factors to consider:
- What will the vehicle be used for? – Are you building this car to be a daily driver, a weekend cruiser, or a trailer queen to take only to shows? Vehicles that won’t be driven much don’t warrant a restomod build.
- What’s the condition of the car? – A vehicle missing its numbers-matching drivetrain is a perfect candidate for a restomod build, as a frame-off restoration would be incomplete if the original drivetrain were not included.
- What is your budget? – When it comes to restomod vs. restoration, both routes can be expensive, but restomods typically cost more. Builders invest the same amount of work in a restomod as in a restoration, but you have the added costs of the modern parts added in. However, it’s important to note that some projects are an exception to this rule, such as rare Corvettes. Replacing aftermarket parts for these vehicles isn’t readily available and can cost much more to restore, to the point where they exceed the cost of a restomod build.
- What will the vehicle’s value be after the restoration or restomod? – This can vary drastically for specific makes, models, and years of Vettes. For example, an original restoration of a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette would cost more than the car would be worth when completed. However, a properly restomodded 1958 Corvette is worth exponentially more when complete than it costs to build.
Considerations When Choosing Classic Car Restoration
An original restoration is the most common form of restoration and is popular with older classic car enthusiasts who believe in the preservation side of the hobby. Whether it’s a frame-on or a full frame-off project will typically depend on how much the vehicle owner wants to spend.
A complete frame-off restoration costs much more, as the chassis is also restored in the process. Original restoration projects can be lengthy and costly, and the condition of the vehicle you start with makes a huge difference in time and cost estimates. Plus, large amounts of rust can complicate things.
Parts availability can also add to the cost and time to build. Restorers of rare vehicles that still need original factory parts do not have the option of finding replacements online, meaning sometimes those items must be fabricated. This also goes for materials required for the interior, where certain carpets or textiles may no longer be available.
Of course, this hard work can be worth it. Some amazing Concours shows across the country display classic vehicles in their original glory. You will find unbelievably beautiful restorations from all over the world and get a free history lesson while you’re there. Still, the restomod trend is so popular now that you would be hard-pressed to go to a car show and not see multiple restomod builds as well.
Find Your Level of Restomod
Just like anything else, there are many levels of VetteRods. Some may feature upgrades, such as fuel injection added to the original engine, a Tremec 5-speed transmission, or a Vintage Air system installed for cooler summer cruises. Other restomods cost hundreds of thousands of dollars while modernizing every aspect of the vehicle, including GM crate LS or LT engines and transmissions.
Today, restomods have created an entire aftermarket segment that companies like Art Morrison Enterprises and Roadster Shop champion. Companies like these offer fully custom-built chassis that make it easier for the person doing the restomod build. All the other functions of a vehicle have companies now making quality parts to add to a restomod build.
After the chassis has been modernized, including the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, engine, steering, and exhaust, a restomod requires modern comfort. Things like heated and cooled seats, modern gauges, and high-end stereos are amenities we are accustomed to in our modern daily drivers that restomod owners want to enjoy as well. Another feature to consider in a restomod is safety. Things like disc brakes and exterior LED lighting drastically improve the safety features of a classic vehicle.
Restomod vs. Traditional Restoration: The Choice Is Yours
Blending a classic vehicle with modern drivability and safety delivers the best of both worlds. Having options when building a classic Corvette is one of the things that makes the industry so popular. The car owner gets to choose the build of their dreams! Purists can seek to return to completely original while restomod lovers can modernize, and the custom folks can change all kinds of things on the vehicle to make it unique.
Regardless of the route you choose to take with your customers, our job is to help preserve these classic vehicles for generations to enjoy. We know that these unique cars and trucks become part of the family and take on the role of time capsules, preserving special memories.
So, the real question is, what would Carl Benz do if he was alive today?
By Jeff Page
Jeff Page is the founder and CEO of Heartland Customs in Purcell, Oklahoma. The shop is world-renowned for its ability to build completely modernized classic vehicles while retaining the original OEM look. Its restomod Corvettes are considered the market benchmark and have won numerous top awards nationwide, including the SEMA General Motors Car of the Year. Jeff actively gives back to his community and shares his experience and knowledge with fellow builders and enthusiasts. Visit www.heartlandcustoms.us.