Why Restomods Are Taking Over The High-End Market

Owning a classic car is on many, if not most, car enthusiasts’ bucket list. From the vintage aesthetic to the joy of keeping a piece of automotive history alive, there are countless reasons why people choose to include a classic in their garage. However, there are several aspects of classic car ownership that are not quite so attractive. We’re talking about the need for constant, specialized maintenance, the sometimes shaky reliability, and a general driving experience that’s simply not as good as a modern car.

Restomods offer a solution to this dilemma by blending classic design with modern performance. A portmanteau of “restoration” and “modification,” the word “restomod” describes a classic car that has been not just restored, but modernized. This can include new mechanical components, a new powertrain, and/or modern conveniences such as a digital infotainment system.

Of course, restomods are not cheap, since both the restoration and modification aspects require large amounts of specialized labor. Most restomods are custom jobs, modified to suit the individual owner’s preferences. These cars have become so expensive that they often exceed the price of an entry-level Ferrari like the Roma. Still, restomods are becoming an increasingly popular choice in the high-end market, as wealthy prospective buyers choose to personalize their classics with a modern touch.

So what has brought about the rise of restomods? From exclusivity to aesthetic, there are a few reasons why an increasing number of enthusiasts are choosing to add restomods to their collection of classic and modern cars. In some cases, an aficionado will even forego a modern supercar in favor of a restomod. Let’s look at some of the reasons why people love these cars so much.

They’re As Exclusive As Cars Get

While “ordinary” classic cars exist at pretty much every price point, from barn-found weekend projects to a Goodwood-ready matching numbers car, restomods are a far more exclusive subset of the classic car world. Since companies that specialize in restomod work are relatively few and far between, and the work needed to modernize a classic without butchering it is the preserve of skilled technicians, getting your hands on a restomod will always have a steep price tag.

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And it’s not simply a matter of money. Sometimes, as in the case of Porsche-focused restomod outfit Singer, one of the most well-known names in the restomod world, the exclusivity is intentional. Singer stopped taking orders for new 911s in 2022, and there’s a very good reason why. “We want to maintain the values of the cars if they change hands afterward, of course, which I think has more to do with the perception of Singer as a ‘brand’ over and above the quality of the cars,” said SInger’s founder, Rob Dickinson. A high-end restomod is, by definition, a small-scale custom job, and the idea of joining an exclusive club is a big part of the appeal for those who are looking to own one.

Restomods Are Based On Iconic Cars

If your favorite thing about a classic car is its design, a restomod may be the right choice for you. In a restomod, the mechanical and technological aspects of the car have been updated, but the design has been preserved, and the majority of restomods are visually indistinguishable from their non-modified counterparts. A restomod gives you the opportunity to drive an instantly-recognizable automotive icon that every car enthusiast knows and loves, minus the pitfalls of traditional classic car ownership.

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Most restomods are based on iconic classic cars, such as this 1967 Ford Mustang powered by a Roush-built V8. Other popular choices include the Porsche 911, Ford Bronco, Lancias, Volvos, and Fiats. We’d say that 99% of restomods are based on a car with a history worth exploring. There have been eight generations of the Porsche 911, and some fans will always believe that it’s not cool if it’s not air-cooled. The same goes for the Bronco, with die-hard fans preferring the OG over the current model.

They Offer Modern Tech Combined With Aesthetically Pleasing Design

A restomod is a fantastic option for drivers who love old-school design but also want the convenience of modern tech. The modifications don’t have to be mechanical. A classic car retrofitted with other forms of tech, such as infotainment or parking sensors, still falls under the restomod category.

If you own a classic car and want to dip your toe in the restomod world without altering or removing its mechanical components, a popular option is the retrofitting of an infotainment system. This allows a classic car to be used as a daily driver, or even on long-haul road trips, without giving up creature-comfort tech features that most of us now take for granted, such as navigation, phone connection, and music.

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On the other end of the restomod spectrum, owners who want a more radical transformation of their car can opt for an EV conversion, replacing the car’s existing engine with an all-electric powertrain. This is becoming an increasingly popular choice in the restomod world. It can give a beloved classic car a new lease on life and future-proof it against any emissions-related restrictions.

You Get More Scope For Customization

Customization is a big business in the USA, and not just in the aftermarket scene as we see every year at SEMA. Automakers like Bentley and Rolls-Royce have always offered a wide variety of customization options, which makes them a great deal of money. Not only is Rolls-Royce selling more cars than ever before, but people are paying much more for them. The average client spent roughly $500,000 on a new Roller in 2022, which means people are loading up on customization options to make their car stand out more. These days, even mainstream brands like Chevy are going wild on color customization. Basically, people want what others can’t have, and the best way to do that is by ordering a restomod.

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One of the basic principles of the high-end restomod scene is to never duplicate a car. A customer comes in with a very specific set of wants and needs, and the restomod company will do everything possible to make it happen. Even though Singer has made 300 911s, it has never repeated itself. There’s a Singer 911 inspired by the Namibian Skeleton Coast, which looks completely different from the Naples Commission. The interiors are also bespoke works of art, which is something you can do if your business caters to an extremely niche market.

Owning something that nobody else owns is the ultimate gearhead dream. Even extremely limited-production cars like the Bentley Bacalar can be called relatively common in comparison with a one-off restomod built to its owners exact specifications. It doesn’t even matter if a person is not the first owner. Just the fact that each Singer is utterly unique is more than enough reason to pay more than a million dollars.

It’s An Old-School Driving Experience

Classic car ownership often means being limited in terms of when and how often you can actually enjoy driving your beloved car. Less effective brakes, sluggish steering response and poor mechanical reliability can be an obstacle to going for a drive in your pride and joy, unless the weather conditions are perfect, and you’re prepared to tackle an impromptu roadside repair when something goes wrong.

Restomods give you the best of both worlds. Instead of keeping the original components, or swapping them out with a like-for-like replacement, a restomod job gives you the opportunity to add modern technology to your car, such as an entirely new engine, power steering, more powerful brakes, and adaptive damping. But you can stop just short of including stuff like driving modes.

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This eliminates the not-so-ideal aspects of classic car driving, while keeping the positives of driver engagement and emotional appeal. You do have to be more careful with these cars, but that’s part of what makes them so special. At most, you’ll get ABS brakes as standard, but the driver is in charge of traction and stability management. It can be tricky, but also a rewarding driving experience. When you nail the perfect slide, you’ll know it was all you and not some special Track Mode. We’re not against modern driving systems, but you can’t help but wonder how much of your on-track performance was down to you and how much was the car.

In a restomod there aren’t any nannies, so you never have to wonder whether your own talent was in play.

Conclusion: Restomods May Be The New Supercars

In the EV era, 0-60 mph times are no longer relevant. A basic Tesla Model 3 Performance is quicker than 95% of the cars on the road, so where do we go from here? As we’ve said before, a unique driving experience will likely take the place of outright straight-line performance. Many restomods won’t be able to keep up with Rimac Nevera around a track, but that’s not the point. If all you need is speed, by all means get an EV supercar. But if you want the noise, the smell, the imperfect power delivery only a combustion engine can provide, and the added self-expression of a manual gearbox, a restomod is the way to go.

Most people will be faster, but you’ll have a much better time.