Process and technology

Restomod cars, a smooth fusion of the old and the modern

Monday, 16 January 2023

A restored and modified classic car is known as a restomod. It should come as no surprise that the term "restomod" sparks a lot of debate concerning vintage automobiles, restorations, and modifications. Restomod, a smooth fusion of the old and the modern, is a combination of the words "restored" and "modified." A new market is open for remanufacturers too.  

The car's body has undergone a thorough restoration and looks brand new. It shouldn't be clear that the car didn't just leave the production line if you were to only look at it from the outside. When the vehicle is modified, it is the second aspect of the restomod concept. This usually focuses on enhancements made in the name of performance, handling, safety, and other factors. The car is now a restomod because it has been both modified and restored. Although, restomod has evolved over time, much like the auto industry. Restomod advances the restoration concept by including after-market pieces that just weren't available before, as opposed to slapping various original parts together. Utilizing this technology and customizing a beloved vehicle to suit the owner's expectations for speed, performance, and safety results in a very unique and beautiful sight to behold and admire. A restored classic car may appear to be entirely original from the exterior. The vehicle may potentially be composed entirely of aftermarket components underneath that outer shell.

What distinguishes restoration from restomod?
The goal of restoration is to return a classic car to its original, magnificent state. The emphasis is on completely overhauling the car both internally and externally while using all, or nearly all, original factory parts. The car ought to seem factory fresh after the restoration. In contrast, a restomod starts with the same vintage car with the goal of restoring it to look exactly like it did when it was new—or very close to it. That is, it would be challenging for someone to tell from the outside that the majority of restomod projects aren't fully restored cars.

But where the differences actually are can be found beneath it all. Modern technology and aftermarket components are used within the cabin, underneath the hood, and underneath the seats to maximize the vehicle's capability. A car owner may elect to undertake a restomod project rather than a restoration one for a variety of reasons, including higher performance, a smoother ride, and increased safety. But with a restomod, the interior frequently receives extra improvements for safety and comfort. The majority of restomod automobiles also have considerable improvements to their engines under the hood that increase power and performance without sacrificing efficiency. It's critical for the car owner to be completely honest with themselves when determining whether to restore a car to its original state or choose a restomod project instead. This is the guiding principle behind your choice to restomod or restore a car.



Classic cars with an eye to modernity
Car lovers are likely to give varying responses when asked what their top motivations are for restyling their vehicle. The response could differ, but safety will always be the overarching focus. The first motivation for automotive modifications was the desire of cars enthusiasts to combine the most potent components of their preferred vehicles. They were able to build the perfect car as a result. In other cases, they increased their vehicle's speed and power by installing aftermarket components. But they also kept the original, distinctive flavour of that specific model.

Car owners can now install upgrades to handle electricity thanks to advancements in aftermarket parts. For instance, roll cages and five-point racing harnesses can increase their chances of emerging uninjured from such power. Restomod can involve only the body shell being the same or entirely changing the vehicle. They may also encumber automobiles with a mix of both original equipment manufacturer parts and contemporary parts. It all comes down to what a specific car owner hopes to achieve with this undertaking in the end. There are some similarities between the restored and restomod despite what could otherwise seem to be a stark difference between them. Disc brakes are frequently used in place of drum brakes. Disc brakes are the best for both performance and safety because they are moisture-resistant and fade-free. There are many benefits to replacing the original transmission with a more modern model. They not only have more gears and smoother shifting but also having overdrive has extra advantages. Additionally, running at lower engine speeds improves fuel efficiency while minimizing motor noise and wear. The original suspension can benefit greatly from even little adjustments to improve handling and control.

Style, performance and safety
A five-point racing harness, a lap and shoulder seat belt combination, and relays intended to lessen the amount of electricity flowing through the switches and disc brakes are some examples of safety components. Moving to larger wheels can improve performance and safety, much like many of the restomod alternatives already mentioned above. Compared to tires available for classic cars, modern tires are more performance-focused. By choosing them, you can achieve more in terms of control, traction, performance, and other factors. You might first consider the exterior of the car when classifying modifications based on look. The interior is also a part of this area. This would also include alterations to the car's body, paint, or stance. Any interior upgrades, like as five-point racing harnesses or retro entertainment system head units, would also belong here.

An expensive love
For between €50,000 and €70,000, a car can be restomod. A restomod consists of two parts: the actual restoration and the changes. The cost will vary depending on the degree of repair you want, who performs the job, and any adjustments you request. A mid-grade restomod now costs between €150,000 and €200,000. Additionally, a fully customized restomod can cost above €500,000.