Custom-building vintage broncos is what we do best – and whether you like the term or not, these vehicles are all restomod. However, the term restomod gets thrown around – so what exactly does it mean? What is a restomod?
In a nutshell, a restomod represents the ideal blend of classic automotive design and modern day technology, offering car enthusiasts the best of both worlds. As the name suggests, a restomod involves restoring vintage vehicles to their former glory while integrating modern modifications that enhance performance, safety, and comfort. Ergo, ‘restomod’ or ‘restored modern’. This trend has grown significantly in recent years as more enthusiasts seek to preserve the timeless aesthetics and nostalgia of classic cars without sacrificing the driving experience of contemporary vehicles. Whether it’s a 1960 Ford Bronco equipped with a modern Coyote 5.0L crate, or a sleek European classic with a restored engine and modern interior, restomods allow drivers to enjoy the charm and style of the past alongside the reliability and conveniences of today.
Our Classic Ford Broncos are excellent examples of how classic car restoration should be done and if restomod is something you’ve read about either when considering a new car, or if you’re just curious to find out more, you’re in the right place.
Why Choose a Restomod?
At its core, a restomod is a restoration that blends the past with the present by preserving the vintage appearance of a classic car while integrating modern technology and mechanical upgrades. Unlike a traditional restoration, which focuses on bringing a vehicle back to its original, factory-issued condition, a restomod prioritizes performance, safety, and comfort without altering the car’s timeless aesthetics. While restorations may strive for historical accuracy, restomods aim to make classic cars not only visually captivating but also practical for modern driving. Whether it’s upgrading the engine for more horsepower, adding disc brakes for safety, or incorporating features like air conditioning and power steering, restomods allow enthusiasts to enjoy the best of both worlds—a vintage look with contemporary capabilities.
what are the features of Restomods?
Restomods appeal to a wide range of car enthusiasts, each driven by their own motivations. For many, it’s about nostalgia—an emotional connection to the timeless beauty and character of a classic car, that looks and feels like it just rolled out the factory from days gone. Restomods offer the opportunity to relive the past, but with the added comfort, performance and above all, reliability of a modern vehicle.
Others are drawn by the desire for individuality, as restomods allow for personal expression through unique combinations of design and technology, creating one-of-a-kind vehicles. So be that a specific color, a wheel profile or roll cage design, buying restomod and you really can bespoke it like you would a new suit.
Beyond sentimentality and style, restomods provide the practical benefits of modern engineering. With improved reliability, safety features like better brakes and airbags, and conveniences like air conditioning and updated suspension, a restomod can serve as a daily driver—blending classic charm with the dependability needed for today’s roads. In restomod projects, a variety of upgrades are made to improve performance, safety, comfort, and aesthetics while preserving the car’s vintage appeal often retaining the chassis, body, or both depending on its condition and potential for restoration.
• Engine and Transmission Upgrades: One of the most common modifications involves replacing the original engine with a modern, more powerful one such as the Coyote Mustang 5.0L, that we fit into most of our builds. This might include adding a fuel-injected engine or upgrading to a transmission that shifts more smoothly and offers better fuel efficiency. These enhancements significantly boost performance, making classic cars faster, more responsive, and reliable for everyday driving. Above all, they will be cheaper to run and when you’re in the mood to play a round of golf you don’t need to worry about whether the engine will start.
• Suspension and Braking System Enhancements: Upgrading the suspension and brakes is crucial for both safety and handling. Modern suspension systems provide better stability and ride quality, while swapping out drum brakes for disc brakes ensures more responsive, fade-resistant stopping power, which is essential in modern traffic conditions. We fit custom Bilstein suspension to many of our vehicles.
• Comfort Improvements: To enhance the driving experience, restomods often feature comfort upgrades such as air conditioning, power steering, and high-quality soundproofing. In-car technology and entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity and GPS navigation allows for a more enjoyable ride, blending classic style with modern convenience. Of course, if tuning a traditional analog FM radio is your thing, don’t let us get in your way!
• Safety Features: Vintage cars often lack basic safety elements. Restomod projects commonly integrate modern seatbelts, airbags, and reinforced frames to protect drivers and passengers, ensuring that these classic cars meet modern safety standards without compromising their look.
• Aesthetic Updates: While the goal is to maintain the vehicle’s vintage charm, restomods often include aesthetic upgrades such as custom paint jobs, larger wheels, and refreshed interiors using custom fabrics and stitching. These modifications not only enhance the car’s visual appeal but also allow owners to inject a bit of personal flair into the design while still paying homage to its original style.
These upgrades combine to make restomods safer, more comfortable, and better performing, all while keeping the classic car’s soul intact.
Popular Cars for Restomods
Certain classic cars stand out as top choices for restomod projects, largely due to their iconic status and the availability of aftermarket parts that allow for extensive customization. Among the most popular models are classic muscle cars like the Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro. These cars are highly sought after because of their aggressive styling, raw power, and rich history in American car culture. Muscle cars also have strong support in the aftermarket industry, making it easier to source parts for engine upgrades, suspension modifications, and other modern enhancements.
Sports cars, such as the Porsche 911, are also prime candidates for restomod projects. The 911, with its timeless design and reputation for precision engineering, is a favorite among enthusiasts who want to retain its classic curves while improving performance, handling, and comfort. The 911’s versatility allows for a wide range of modifications, from modest upgrades to complete rebuilds with modern components.
Vintage trucks, like the Ford F-100, have also gained popularity in the restomod world. Known for their durability and rugged style, these trucks offer a unique platform for customization. Their larger frames allow for more flexibility in engine swaps and suspension upgrades, making them perfect for enthusiasts who want a powerful, reliable vehicle that retains its classic, utilitarian look.
These models are favored for restomod projects because they offer the ideal blend of iconic design, performance potential, and availability of modern parts, allowing owners to create truly personalized vehicles that honor the past while embracing the future.
Another highly popular choice for restomod projects, and understandably one of our favourites, is the classic Ford Bronco, especially the early models such as the 1966 Bronco or 1977 Bronco. Known for its rugged, off-road capability and iconic boxy design, the Ford Bronco has become a favorite among enthusiasts who want to modernize its performance while preserving its vintage charm. Restomod Broncos often receive upgrades like powerful V8 or even electric powertrains, modern suspension systems for improved handling both on and off the road, and advanced features like touchscreen infotainment and luxurious interiors. With the resurgence of off-road vehicles in mainstream automotive culture, the classic Bronco has seen a major revival, making it one of the most sought-after models for those looking to blend outdoor adventure with modern comfort and style.
The Process of Building a Restomod
Building a restomod is a complex and highly detailed process that requires careful planning, technical skill, and craftsmanship to seamlessly blend classic design with modern functionality. The journey typically begins with planning, where the owner and builder outline the project’s goals, deciding on the specific upgrades, modifications, and aesthetic choices that will shape the final product. This phase also involves budgeting and sourcing the necessary components, both vintage and modern.
Once the plan is set, the vehicle undergoes disassembly, where the original car is carefully stripped down to its frame. Each component is examined to determine whether it should be restored, upgraded, or replaced entirely. Following this, the fabrication stage begins, which can involve custom bodywork, chassis modifications, or creating entirely new parts. This step ensures the car’s structure can handle modern components like updated engines, brakes, or electric systems without compromising its original design.
Next comes the installation of modern components. This is where performance upgrades—such as a new engine, transmission, suspension, and braking systems—are integrated into the vehicle. Additionally, comfort and safety features like air conditioning, infotainment systems, and airbags are installed to bring the car up to modern driving standards.
Finally, the restomod undergoes testing and finishing. Here, the vehicle is rigorously tested to ensure all systems function correctly, adjustments are made for optimal performance, and any final touches are added, such as custom paintwork or interior detailing. This stage highlights the craftsmanship involved, as every detail must be perfected to create a vehicle that not only looks stunning but performs at a high level.
The process of building a restomod requires an immense amount of skill and attention to detail, blending the artistry of restoration with the precision of modern automotive technology.
how expensive is restomod?
The cost of a restomod project can vary widely depending on the scope of the build and the level of customization desired. At the most basic level, costs are influenced by parts and labor, with modern components like upgraded engines, transmissions, brakes, and suspension systems often carrying the bulk of the price tag. Restomod projects require specialized craftsmanship and technical expertise, particularly in areas like custom fabrication, electrical work, and installation of high-tech systems.
Sourcing rare vintage components for a restomod, especially if the owner wants to retain some original parts, can add to the expense. Hard-to-find pieces, especially for less common models, can come with a premium price due to scarcity. On the modern side, incorporating high-end technology like electric powertrains, advanced entertainment systems, or custom interiors can drive the cost higher, particularly if these elements are bespoke or top-of-the-line.
Costs also fluctuate based on the level of customization. A modest restomod project, focusing on practical upgrades like better suspension or brakes, will be more affordable than a fully bespoke build that includes extensive bodywork, luxury interior enhancements, and a complete overhaul of the car’s mechanical systems. Additionally, the complexity of the build—whether it’s a simple refresh of a classic car or a ground-up rebuild—can dramatically affect the final cost. On average, restomod projects can range anywhere from $50,000 for simpler builds to well over $350,000 for highly customized, premium projects. Ultimately, the budget depends on the owner’s vision and how far they want to go in modernizing their classic car while retaining its vintage charm.
Electric Conversion Restomods
As the automotive world gets pulled towards the controversial topic of sustainability, electric conversion restomods are emerging as a potential solution for classic car enthusiasts, although their uptake has been slow. Any purist gearhead will naturally baulk at the thought of plugging their Bronco in for a battery top-up, though, like it or not, electric vehicles are here to stay. Whether the restomod world decides to embrace this new tech is another matter; there’s no harm talking about it. These restomods involve retrofitting vintage vehicles with electric motors and battery systems, transforming them into eco-friendly machines while preserving their timeless aesthetics. One of the argued advantages of electric restomods is zero emissions, making them appealing to environmentally conscious collectors who want to enjoy classic cars without the environmental impact of traditional internal combustion engines. It’s also been well documented that the environmental impact of creating, and eventually disposing of, an electric car battery does in fact outweigh the environmental gain from not using a gas based engine.
One big upside is that electric motors deliver instant torque, providing quicker acceleration and smoother performance compared to gasoline engines. But from our perspective, half the fun of driving a restomod Bronco is the sound of the engine, and there’s no way you’re getting that with the electric version.
There is also the argument that electric restomods require less maintenance, as electric motors have fewer moving parts and don’t need oil changes or tune-ups. However, the cost of, say, replacing a battery, which is inevitable at some stage, could blow that maintenance saving out the window. So sure, the growing popularity of electric vehicles reflects a desire to be more sustainable but for now we’re on the fence and have no immediate plans to start offering this as one of our build options.
Restomods Blending Past and Present
Restomods represent the perfect fusion of automotive history and modern innovation, offering enthusiasts the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds. For those who love the timeless charm and character of classic cars but don’t want to compromise on performance, safety, or comfort, restomods provide an ideal solution. They allow drivers to experience the nostalgia of vintage design while benefiting from the reliability, power, and conveniences of modern engineering. Whether it’s a sleek muscle car with a factory reset powertrain or a beautifully restored sports car with brand new paint job and engine overhaul, restomods let you create a one-of-a-kind vehicle that reflects your unique personality and passion for the road.
If you’re looking for a way to bring your favorite classic vehicle into the modern era without discarding its soul or sense of purpose, exploring the world of restomods might be the ultimate automotive adventure that you’ve been looking for. Needless to say, if you’re in the market for a true classic Bronco build of your own, you’re definitely in the right place.
