These Old School Cars Have All The Modern Bells And Whistles
If you're into vintage-looking cars, but you still want all of the power and flourishes of modern design, look no further than "restomodding." The term "restomod" is just the combination of restoration and modification. People take old cars and deck them out with all of the latest and greatest gadgets in the automotive industry.
This is the best way to combine classic style and modern performance. They may have had the aesthetics down pat in the past, but modern-age cars can't be beat when it comes to mechanics.
Honda S800 Outlaw
If you want to learn more about the latest car customizing trends, look no further than the SEMA Show. At the 2019 SEMA Show, in the Honda display was one of the coolest restomods we've ever seen.
We're talking about a 1968 Honda S800, named “Outlaw.” This car is the brainchild of actor, director, and car enthusiast Daniel Wu. The Outlaw is lowered by two-inches with fender flares containing custom barreled OEM wheels. A custom exhaust allows the 791cc inline four-cylinder to breathe all the way up to its 10,000 RPM redline.
David Brown Speedback GT
This Speedback looks like something the James Bond would ride around in in the '70s. David Brown Automotive brought this car to life. It's a modern take on the classic Aston Martin DB5. Starting with an old Jaguar XKR, the team at David Brown Automotive squeezes an extra 100 horsepower out of the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 giving it a total of 601 horsepower.
This is a restomod for wealthy gentlemen looking for a car more bespoke than a Rolls-Royce.
Porsche 935 (2019)
This car may be more of a retro-tribute than a true "restomod," but hey, we think it's cool enough to include on this list.
Porsche starts with the outrageous 911 GT2 RS and builds around it a custom long-tail bodywork that pays tribute to the legendary 935/78 Le Mans racecar, known as "Moby Dick." A strong 700 horsepower motivates the 935 and big wings, big slicks, and big turbos make sure this is the car to beat on the race track.
Shelby Cobra Continuation Series
The Shelby Cobra is truly an iconic vehicle. If you're new to restomods and you're looking for some cheap car kits, plenty of companies can help you tackle a Cobra.
Available in a variety of specifications, you can have it as it would have been built in the 1960s or with modern carbon-fiber bodywork and engines. The 427 S/C may get all the attention, but we think the 289 FIA Competition cars are the ones to have.
Automobili Amos Delta Integrale Futurista
The Lancia Delta Integrale became famous not because of its design or its motor, but because of the great drivers that sat behind its wheel. This a four-wheel drive, turbocharged hatchback ruled the world of rally racing in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the greatest racers in history took this car over the finish line.
The Integrale Futurista is converted from four-doors into a two-door coupe, like the Group B rally car of the 1980s and fitted with a 330-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The body is carbon-fiber, the interior is re-trimmed in leather.
Gunther Werks 400R
Gunther Werks starts with a clean 993 and then flips everything about the vehicle on its head to create a better, faster, stronger, and prettier car.
The engine size is increased to 4.0-liters which produces a healthy 400 horsepower. The body is full carbon-fiber and sits on a widened chassis with custom coilover suspension and massive Brembo brakes. The wheels are custom made forged aluminum 3-piece units designed by Gunther Werks. This car may be low to the ground, but its specs are sky-high.
Alfaholics GTA-R 290
Lots of great restomods happen across the pond. UK based shop Alfaholics rebuilds classic Alfa Romeos with modern hearts while maintaining the beauty and vintage appeal of the original vehicles.
The GTA-R 290 is their ultimate Alfa Romeo. Starting with the pretty and potent classic Giulia GTA, the car is completely reworked and fitted with a modern twin-spark 2.3-liter Alfa Romeo engine that produces 240-horsepower. That's a lot for a car that weighs just 1800 pounds.
Frontline Developments MG LE50
Frontline Developments is another UK based custom and restoration shop. They specialize in classic British sports cars, especially cars from MG.
The hardtop MGB first hit the market in 1962. Frontline's modification of this car keeps the body of the car as original and vintage as possible, and then fits it with a modern and supremely reliable engine, transmission, and driveline from Mazda. The four-cylinder engine displaces 2.0-liters and produces 214 horsepower. That's good enough to get the coupe up to 60 MPH in just 5.1 seconds.
Ringbrothers AMC Javelin "Defiant"
If you're a car enthusiast and you find yourself in the very small town of Spring Green, Wisconsin, you have to check out Ringbrothers which is one of the country's greatest custom car shops. They specialize in re-engineering classic muscle cars to suit the 21st century.
In 2017, Prestone, the antifreeze company, celebrated its 90th anniversary. To commemorate that occasion, Prestone teamed up with Ringbrothers to create a monster of a restomod, a Hellcat powered 1972 AMC Javelin named "Defiant."
Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz M-Coupe
Mechatronik is a shop located in Stuttgart, Germany. Germany has provided the world with some of the greatest cars known to man. It's the country that gave us Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Fitting, as the Mechatronik M-Coupe is a modernized and restored W111 Mercedes-Benz.
Mechatronik is really good at paying attention to. detail. The cars start with a full restoration and are then fitted with a modern Mercedes V8 drivetrain. The engine is a 5.5-liter AMG V8 which cranks out 360-horsepower. Brakes are uprated as well as suspension and Mechatronik also comprehensively updates safety by adding ABS and stability control.
Singer 911 DLS
Singer is to Porsche 911s as Rolex is to watches. The cars that the southern California company produces are more than just modernized 911s, they are true works of art. The pinnacle of Singer's powers exists in the lust-worthy 911 DLS. It's difficult to describe this car adequately, so we'll just let the specs speak for itself.
Singer starts with a 1990's era 911 and rebodies it to look like 911s from the 1970s. On the DLS, that body is all carbon-fiber. Then, Singer makes it as light as possible, handle as perfect as possible and brake as well as possible before fitting it with a 4.0-liter, 500 horsepower flat-six cylinder engine that's developed by partner Williams Advanced Engineering. Yep, the same company that makes F1 cars. We're not sure it gets any better than this!
Legacy Power Wagon
Legacy Classic Trucks build some of the toughest off-road trucks on the market. Starting with a classic Dodge Power Wagon, Legacy tears it down to the frame and rebuilds it with added strength, added power, and added style.
A number of engines can be fitted from the 3.9-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel to a supercharged 6.2-liter Chevrolet LSA V8 with 620 horsepower. Custom axles and driveshafts help cope with the power upgrade and long-travel suspension, off-road wheels and tires, and locking differentials make sure you can use that power on any terrain.
Canepa Porsche 959SC
Taking on a car as iconic, historic and revered as the Porsche 959 is not for the faint of heart. Get it wrong and you will be known as the shop that ruined an icon, but get it right and you’ll be the hero that brought one of the greatest cars ever produced by Porsche into the 21st century.
California’s Canepa Design is one of the few shops in the world capable of restomodding a Porsche 959. Their skill allows them to retain the soul and groundbreaking technology of the ‘80s icon while thoroughly modernizing the drivetrain, performance and the individuality of each car. The result is a 1980's 800 horsepower bespoke restomod supercar that is every bit a match for modern machinery.
ICON 4X4 BR Series
Los Angeles, California based ICON 4x4 is the personification of the modern restomod scene. Specializing in off-road capable vintage trucks from Toyota and Ford, their philosophy is to reimagine each vehicle as if it were being built today with the best possible technology and design.
The ICON BR Series starts with a classic Ford Bronco and strips it down to the last nut and bolt. They are reassembled with a brand new Ford 5.0-liter crate engine pushing 426-horsepower, custom axles and differentials, off-road suspension with Fox Racing shocks, and StopTech brakes. The interior gets equal attention with a complete custom makeover. Of course, each vehicle is unique and built to suit the lucky individual who orders it.
FJ Company Toyota Land Cruiser
If classic off-roaders are your thing, then look no further than the FJ Company. They build some of the coolest restomod Toyota Land Cruisers on the planet. Starting with either a hardtop or soft-top FJ Series truck, the bodies are stripped to bare metal and then meticulously reassembled with new Toyota technology.
Power comes from a brand-new Toyota 4.0-liter V6 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. FJ Company then fits each truck with ABS, stability and traction control, automatic locking hubs and modern steering and suspension. On the inside, you will find a bespoke interior with digital gauges, custom upholstery and modern conveniences, including a great stereo! These are trucks that look great, can go anywhere and are assembled with brand new parts.
Ares Pantera
The De Tomaso Pantera is a legendary Italian/American sports car from the 1970s. A sleek wedge-design that made excellent use of a big Ford V8. Today, Ares Design of Modena, Italy is recreating the Pantera with a modern car that mimics its style and wedge shape but uses thoroughly modern components.
The starting point is a Lamborghini Huracan. The big 5.2-liter V10 and all-wheel drive set-up are tuned to push out 650 horsepower. That's good enough to give the Ares a top speed of 202 MPH. The original Lamborghini bodywork is ditched in favor of a modernized carbon-fiber body that brings the classic '70s Pantera shape into the 21st century. Restomodding a current car is becoming a very popular trend.
Eagle Low Drag GT
In 1962 Jaguar created the rarest and possibly most significant E-Type, the Low Drag Coupe. Originally, it was intended to be an ultra-aerodynamic version of the E-Type for racing. Jaguar produced only 1 car. The Low Drag Coupe would go on to race in private hands throughout the early 1960s and influence the subsequent Jaguar Lightweight E-Type, of which the company made 12.
Today, the original Low Drag Coupe sits in a private collection and is likely to be one of the most valuable Jaguars ever made, but, if you fancy a restomod of the original car then Eagle, based in the UK, is more than happy to help. Stunning to look at and equally stunning to drive, the Eagle Low Drag GT might be the ultimate E-Type restomod.
Dodge Charger Hellephant
In 2018 Dodge showed up at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas with a 1968 Charger. There's nothing unique about that, classic Dodge Chargers have been restomodded for years but the car that Dodge brought was fitted not with an engine, but with a nuclear bomb!
The 1968 Dodge Charger Hellephant is a platform to showcase Dodge's biggest and baddest crate engine, the 1,000 horsepower supercharged 426 HEMI V8 dubbed the Hellephant. It's based on the same engine found in the Hellcat cars and offers builders, tuners, and customizers a turn-key 1,000 horsepower.
ICON 4X4 Derelict Series
When it comes to possible restomod candidates, few people would consider a classic Rolls-Royce. But leave it to the people at ICON 4X4 to think outside of the box with their restomod "Derelict" series. The 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud that ICON turned their attention to is a classic British luxury cruiser.
Not content to restore it to its former glory, ICON ditched the Rolls-Royce mill and fitted a new LS7 V8 with 550 horsepower. They followed that up by giving the "Roller" modern Brembo brakes and suspension. At the front is a fully independent set-up with coilovers and at the back, a custom four-link set-up with coilovers. Even with the original patina that the car has earned over the years, it has presence, class and is a truly unique restomod.
John Sarkisyan Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Some cars are so iconic and important in the evolution of the automobile that it would be near sacrilege to even consider modifying the original design. One such car is the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing." A car built in the 1950s for racing and considered one of the most important cars ever produced. Modifying one would likely destroy the value of a multi-million dollar collector car.
Fear not, the 300SL Gullwing pictured above is a replica. A way to create a restomod of the original Mercedes supercar without wrecking the value of an original. Builder John Sarkisyan started with an SLK 32 AMG and had an original 300SL 3D scanned to produce an exact replica of the bodywork. The chassis and drivetrain of the SLK provides the power, and the replica bodywork provides the style.
Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna 775
At the 2018 SEMA Show, Chevrolet chose a sinister-looking 1973 Chevelle Laguna to showcase its latest and greatest crate engine. The engine in question is the thunderous LT5 V8, the same 755 horsepower tower of power that takes the C7 Corvette ZR1 to a 210 MPH top speed.
As for the '73 Chevelle, it sits lower on custom suspension and sports bigger brakes and NASCAR style wheels. The front lower splitter and the rear lip spoiler help complete the NASCAR-esque vibe. Chevrolet's take on restomodding a Chevelle Laguna combines old-school NASCAR with a modern state-of-the-art supercharged engine.
Thornley Kelham Lancia Aurelia B20GT
Thornley Kelhman is one of the most respected restoration shops in the United Kingdom. A place where ultra-rare, ultra-expensive and ultra-gorgeous vintage cars get painstakingly restored to concourse condition. Occasionally, an opportunity arises to take a classic car and turn it into something truly spectacular. Such is the case with the Lancia Aurelia B20GT Outlaw. Modeled after the most famous Aurelia, the Govanni Bracco car which finished second at the Mille Miglia race and won its class at Le Mans in 1951.
Thornley Kelhman upgrades the suspension and brakes to modern specs and replaces the engine with a 2.8-liter Lancia V6 that produces 175 horsepower. Inside, the car features Porsche 356 bucket seats and a roll bar. Classy, cool and definitely one of the most unique restomods of recent times.
Eagle Speedster
Did you know that there are 118 words in the English language that are synonyms of "beautiful?" That may not be enough to describe the stunning masterpiece that is the Eagle Speedster. English restoration shop, Eagle was established in 1984 and is now synonymous with Jaguar E-Types. Their restoration work is the standard of the world, but it's their restomod cars that garner the most attention.
Eagle starts with a bare chassis and cleans up the lines of the E-Type before removing bumpers and unnecessary chrome. They then fit a 4.7-liter, 330 horsepower straight six-cylinder engine in a 5-speed manual gearbox. Performance matches the good looks and the Eagle Speedster is as breathtaking to drive as it is to look at.
Ringbrothers 1965 Ford Mustang "Espionage"
Few cars have gotten the restomod treatment over the years more than the Ford Mustang. The classic lines and easily customizable platform along with unmatched aftermarket support mean that everyone can create, modify and personalize their 'Stang.
There are so many restomodded Mustangs out there that it's easy to dismiss them with a "seen it all before" attitude. However, sometimes a particular car comes along that changes the game and makes everyone notice. One of those cars is the Ringbrothers '65 Mustang named "Espionage." Fitted with a 959 horsepower supercharged LS7 V8, the car is a brutal masterpiece. The body is completely carbon-fiber, the wheels are custom HRE units and the interior is as stunning as the acceleration.
Kingsley Range Rover Classic
Some cars never go out of style. The classic Land Rover Range Rover is one of those cars. Built from 1970 to 1994, the big Range Rover was not only luxurious but incredibly capable off-road. An engineering marvel, the truck was let down by assembly woes and quality control issues. Kingsley, a UK-based Land Rover restoration shop, has stepped up to bring the timeless truck into the 21st century.
The V8 is bored out to 4.8-liters giving it a stout 270 horsepower. Suspension is updated and modernized with the biggest change being the track width. Brakes are newer units and the interior and electrics get a thorough once over as well. The result is a classic truck with a modern feel and driving experience that is sure to remain one of the best looking off-roaders for generations to come.
David Brown Mini
The original MINI is one of those cars that everyone should drive and experience at least once in their life. The tiny pocket rocket drives like nothing else, handles like nothing else, and despite its diminutive size, has the ability to put the biggest smile on your face. David Brown Automotive re-engineers the classic MINI to be as good as it can possibly be with each one completely unique for the customer that orders it.
The 1275cc engine is tuned to produce double the original horsepower, and the suspension and brakes are upgraded handle to additional speed. The body is cleaned-up by removing the seams and the entire car is reinforced and welded for added strength. The interior is infinitely customizable and the crew at David Brown Automotive create each MINI specifically to the taste and preference of the customer ordering it.
Fusion Motor Company "Eleanor"
Film buffs and gearheads know this car as "Eleanor" from Gone In 60 Seconds, the 2000 remake starring Nicholas Cage, and the rest of the world knows it as a 1967 Ford Shelby GT500. Fusion Motor Company holds the license to build replicas of the star-car from the film and the possibilities are nearly endless for customization.
All of the "Eleanor" builds start with genuine 1967 or 1968 Ford Mustang Fastbacks, Fusion then fits the cars with modern engines from a 430 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 up to the grandaddy, a supercharged 427 V8 with 750 horsepower. The suspension is custom coilovers at all four corners and brakes are massive Wilwood six-piston units. Interior and exterior options abound but the single most important mod is the "Go Baby Go" nitrous button in the shifter.
MZR Roadsports 240Z
The Nissan/Datsun 240Z is a high watermark in car design and sports car design in general. Nissan wanted a car to take on the best that Europe could produce. The 240Z was specifically targeting the MGB-GT and proved to be a huge success and is now a car that collectors and enthusiasts flock to.
In the UK, MZR Roadsports has an affinity and unique appreciation of the 240Z. More than just a classic Japanese sports car, MZR sees what the 240Z could be, what it should be and how to build one into the best driving experiences possible. Every inch of the MZR 240Z restomod is upgraded, restored and refined to create a period looking modern sports car that drives and performs better than most new cars.
David Lee's Ferrari Dino
Restomodding a classic Ferrari is a great way to upset purists and aficionados. But, if you're really good and the build is on point, it's a great way to create something truly unique. David Lee's 1972 Dino 246 GTS is one such car that is both truly unique and a credit to the car culture of southern California.
Based on the underappreciated Dino 246, this particular restomod features one of the most interesting engine swaps we've ever heard. Mounted behind the driver is a Ferrari F40 engine. The 2.9 liter V8 has been bored-out to 3.6 liters and is devoid of the twin-turbo set-up. The result is a symphony of sound from a 400 horsepower naturally aspirated V8 that revs past 7,000 RPM. As you would expect, chassis, brakes, and suspension have all been upgraded to match the newfound pace.
Jeff Segal's Ferrari F355 Modificata
Sometimes a great restomod car doesn't need a complete re-think. It doesn't need a million horsepower and it doesn't need space-age tech. It becomes great because of the experience it delivers and the modifications help create an event that can't be replicated in other cars. Jeff Segal's Ferrari F355 Modificata restomod is a car in which the changes and updates create a driving sensation that is unlike any other car on the road.
The F355 Modificata has 355 Challenge race car suspension, a straight-pipe racing exhaust, and a healthy 375 horsepower. The interior mimics the legendary F40 and the entire car is tuned to deliver the best on-road driving experience possible.
Guy Martin's Volvo Amazon Estate
Guy Martin is a legendary motorcycle racer. He's a guy that knows how to go fast and his restomod 1967 Volvo Amazon Estate might be the fastest and most over-the-top Volvo build on the planet. The sensible and very Swedish station wagon has a 2.8-liter turbocharged straight six-cylinder engine that churns out a massive 788 horsepower. That's enough shove to hit 60 MPH from a dead stop in under 3-seconds and achieve a top speed in excess of 205 MPH.
Brakes come from a Koenigsegg CC8S hypercar, the body has had to two rear doors removed to make it a three-door wagon and it features a glass floor in the rear to be able to see the differential and axles.
Bavarian Workshop BMW 2002
The 2002 was one of the cars that helped cement BMW's reputation in the US as a performance car manufacturer. The lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe was fun to drive, reasonably quick in its day and looked great.
The crew at Bavarian Workshop start by upgrading the suspension and brakes of the Bavarian coupe. They add fender flares, a front splitter, and 16" wheels. The interior makes use of BMW 320i seats, leather trim, and other bits, but it's what's under the clamshell hood that makes this car truly special. A 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine known by Bimmer fans as the S14 and familiar to most gearheads as the mill from the legendary BMW E30 M3.
Redux E30 M3
Few cars of the late 1980s and early 1990s have the status and cache of BMW's first M3, the E30 M3. It was a world-class canyon carver and became one of the most successful racecars of all time.
British firm Redux takes all that is great and good about the E30 M3 and creates a bespoke performance car capable of running with much more modern machines. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder is bored out to 2.5-liters and fitted with a turbocharger. The new mill punches out 390 horsepower and runs through a 6-speed manual transmission to a limited-slip rear differential. Brakes are massive AP Racing units, the body is carbon-fiber and the interior is crafted specifically for each owner.
Ian Callum Aston-Martin Vanquish
The Aston Martin Vanquish is only 12 years old, so it may seem a bit premature to create a restomod with it, but if anyone could take on the task it would have to be Ian Callum, the original designer of the Vanquish.
Callum Designs started with a goal in mind, to make the Vanquish into a world-class GT car for modern drivers. The V12 engine is tuned to produce over 600 horsepower and the suspension and brakes are brought up to current spec as well. The interior is completely bespoke and makes generous use of carbon-fiber, leather, and other high-end finishes. This isn't a car for tearing up the race track, it's a modern interpretation of an epic long-distance GT. A Concorde for the road.
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Continuation
The Ford Mustang Boss 429 is one of the most sought after muscle cars from the era of big engines, big horsepower, and big performance. The car was originally put into production in 1969 and 1970 to allow Ford to homologate a 429 cubic inch V8 for use in NASCAR.
Today, the iconic muscle car is being remade, under license from Ford, by Classic Recreations. Their Boss 429 is as close to the real deal as you can get on the outside, however, under the skin, you'll find adjustable suspension, massive brakes, stainless-steel exhaust, and a custom interior. The engine is a real beast, a 546 cubic inch monster that puts out 815 horsepower. No turbos, no supercharger, it's all motor.
Jaguar Classic XJ6
In 2018 Jaguar celebrated the 50th anniversary of the XJ series car. To commemorate that milestone they restomodded a 1984 XJ6 for Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. The car is known as the "Greatest Hits" XJ and incorporates in its design pieces and customizations from all 50 years of XJ production.
The classic British sedan features flared fenders and 18-inch wire-spoke wheels, modern suspension with adjustable shocks, modern electronics including a current spec Jaguar touchscreen, SatNav and rearview camera along with a completely custom interior. The XJ has also been converted to use LED headlights with "Halo" style running lights and the 4.2-liter straight six inhales through three SU carburetors and exhales through a completely custom exhaust system.
East Coast Defenders Land Rover Defender 110
East Coast Defenders was founded in 2013 to build the best bespoke classic Land Rovers on the planet. The Defender 110 project known as "NEO" is one of their best creations. A custom wide-body Land Rover with a modern drivetrain, modern tech, modern off-road gear and high-end finishes to make sure you get to where you're going in style and comfort.
The NEO is fitted with a 565 horsepower LS3 V8 and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The suspension is lifted 2" and uses Fox Racing shocks and heavy-duty off-road bushings. The spartan interior is replaced with leather, carbon-fiber and a state-of-the-art infotainment system.
RMD 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Fins, flares, and chrome helped define American car design in the 1950s. The 1958 Chevrolet Impala incorporated all of those design elements in a vehicle that oozed style all over the road. RMD Garage took the classic Chevy and kept the retro timeless good looks but completely updated everything underneath the chromed-out bodywork.
The classic Impala, known as "Ebony," is powered by a 500 horsepower LS3 V8 which is painted completely black to match the exterior of the car. The suspension uses custom coilovers with an air-ride system to adjust the ride height. The wheels are bespoke Raceline 22" alloys and the interior is custom leather that includes a matched set of custom luggage.
E-Type UK V12 E-Type Jaguar
Jaguar's E-Type is one of the most beautiful cars ever created, and while most of the attention goes to the Series 1 and 2 cars, the Series 3 cars are often overlooked and make excellent candidates for restomods. E-Type UK's Shop takes the Series 3 E-Type and reworks every nut and bolt to create a classic beauty with modern performance. The V12 is bored out to 6.1-liters and is fitted with custom fuel injection, custom ECU and wiring harness.
Suspension is fully adjustable, brakes are massive AP Racing units and the interior is all custom and based on the newer XJS coupe. Elegant and tasteful with enough punch to make it engaging.
Mach 40 Mustang
It doesn't get any more custom than the Mach 40 Mustang. The 'Stang is a mash-up of a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and a 2005 Ford GT supercar. The Mach 1 body is stretched and massaged over a custom chassis that is extended to allow for a mid-engine layout. Naturally, such a change requires an amazing amount of fabrication, and the result is both unique and exceptionally well executed.
The engine comes from the mega Ford GT. A 5.4-liter V8, which gets upgraded with a 4.0-liter supercharger and custom ECU to produce a face-warping 850 horsepower. The interior is retro-cool, keeping the original vibe of the '69 Mach 1 and adding modern design touches and materials. A wild mash-up that shouldn't work, but does so spectacularly well.
