What Makes the Best Restomod Classic Cars Stand Out From the Rest?

Walk through any car show and you will spot them. A 1960s muscle car that sits just right, idles smoothly and rolls away with a deep, confident sound. It looks like it belongs to another era, but it drives like it was built last year. That is the appeal of restomod classic cars, and it is also why the good ones are so hard to tell apart from the merely okay. Some builds feel special from the first step. Others feel like a pile of parts bolted onto an old shell. This guide explains what separates the two, so you know what to look for if you are buying one or planning your own.

Why Does Balance Matter More Than Power?

Always chasing those huge horsepower figures? I mean, they look awesome on paper, but the reality is that a car with all that power can be a real nightmare to control if it's got nothing to back it up - brakes, suspension, cooling and everything else.

The best builds have a certain harmony. A level of integration between the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, and suspension will make a car feel a little more sedate and predictable. You don't want to feel like you're fighting the beast in stop-and-go traffic, but you also want to be able to enjoy yourself when you can really open it up.

Imagine you are preparing a good meal. It is not about one powerful ingredient, it is about the balance of all ingredients that makes it rememberable.

How Is the Drivetrain Supposed to Be?

So, what's that drivetrain? That's really up to you. If you're after a potent modern engine and the like, some owners are after a new 'stroked' engine tuned with gusto and mated to a smooth manual transmission. Look at the Farland 1966 Pontiac GTO build for example, with its supercharged, stroked, and blown 518hp motor, paired with a Tremec five-speed transmission, and Wilwood brakes. And you've got brakes too. More power needs more stopping power, a prudent builder will have it covered.

The other hand might be that some people like to keep it tame and simple. A newer version of the original engine with improvements in the cooling, ignition and fuel systems allows you to keep the old sound and feel without the headaches.

Regardless of your choice, it should be fun to drive. It should be enjoyable to actually put down the miles.

How Crucial Are the Brakes and Suspension?

In a word? A lot. Old systems were engineered to go slower and expect less. A spring, shock, bushing and steering overhaul can make a big difference in a classic's handling and sense of surety, and the braking upgrade can be just as vital a safety feature as it is a performance upgrade. If you builder goes on about power but neglects to bring up brakes, run.

In What Ways Does Build Quality Manifest?

A lot of things come in the details. For example, the wiring. Is it routed nicely and labeled? Or is it all over the place and the insulation is just taped in one spot? Take a look at the underneath of the car. Are the welds clean? Are the lines neat? Good builds pays attention to every detail, both on the surface and underneath.

Craftsmanship counts as well. Even panel gaps, the sound of the doors closing, textured, deep paint. Straight seams and just the right material inside.

You know it when a car is built with the utmost of care. It rides rattle-free, controls all seem natural, and nothing feels like an afterthought.

Why Does the Builder's Breadth of Skill Matter?

A restomod affects just about everything on your car-metal, paint, drive-train, interior, electrical. If the paint or the mechanics aren't spot-on, the entire build can suffer.

Farland Classic Restoration has been restoring all makes and models of classic cars since 1991. Their expertise in doing resto-mods is readily apparent. They have all aspects of their shop, mechanics, body work, paint, interior, and detail - all working together in one place instead of off loading work to other businesses. They've built a 1966 GTO, an early 1969 Camaro, and even a Shelby Eleanor that took home Best of Show at Moab - enough said.

And, being restorers too, they know what is special about a classic. This means they can improve on it with modern upgrades without losing what made you fall in love with it.

How Do You Keep the Character of the Car?

That's the crux of it. A restomod needs to continue to feel like the car you fell in love with in the first place. The shape, stance, sound, and cabin should continue to bring it all back.

And for that you'll want to pick late-model pieces that will work in quietly. Consider hidden sound systems, discreet brake upgrades and vintage-style air conditioning, all of which will improve your life without visually changing the car. Wheels and tires should also reflect the age of the vehicle, not overshadow it.

Also, a lot of owners leave everything pretty much stock so if it's ever traded or resold, it can be restored back to its factory appearance or performance. Might as well bring that point up before a project begins, especially on rare cars.

What About Resale and Value?