Restomods 101: How Classics Get Reborn and Where the Industry Is Going Next

Sep 5

Restomods blend the soul of a classic with the capability of a modern car. Instead of a museum-correct restoration, a restomod keeps the vintage design while upgrading powertrains, chassis, safety, comfort, and electronics so the car drives like it was built this decade. The approach has grown from hot-rod subculture into a professionalized global business with seven-figure commissions at the top end and an expanding parts ecosystem that lets small shops deliver OEM-like results. Recent market research from SEMA notes a robust classic-vehicle aftermarket and a generational shift toward modifications over strict originality—tailwinds that favor restomods. SEMA+1 THE SHOP

Why the restomod wave keeps building

Enthusiast demand, not just nostalgia. Younger owners increasingly prefer drivability upgrades (brakes, EFI, overdrive, A/C, infotainment) instead of maintaining period quirks. SEMA’s 2024 Future Trends report calls out this restomod-leaning sentiment and steady classic-segment spending. SEMA+1
Professionalization & price points. High-end builders (think Singer, SpeedKore, Ringbrothers, ECD) offer turn-key commissions with rigorous engineering and documentation; mid-market shops scale using crate powertrains, bolt-in chassis, and standardized wiring kits. ECD’s recent RS-chassis Mustang program—priced from ~$280k—illustrates how premium shops productize builds without losing craft. Road & Track Autoweek
A huge supporting ecosystem. Specialty-equipment sales in the U.S. aftermarket topped ~$52B in 2023, with performance, handling, and restyling all growing—fertile ground for restomod parts suppliers. THE SHOP

The modern restomod toolbox: key innovations

1) Digital design, scanning, and additive manufacturing

3D scanning & CAD let builders reverse-engineer and perfect fitment before cutting metal. Jay Leno’s shop popularized the workflow: scan an unobtainable part, model it, print a prototype, then cast or machine the final piece. Popular Mechanics 3DPrint
Automaker-backed 3D printing keeps orphaned classics on the road. Porsche Classic and Mercedes-Benz Classic now on-demand print certain spares in metal (SLM) and plastic (SLS), making low-volume parts viable. Porsche Newsroom Mercedes-Benz content3.eu.porsche.com

2) Lightweight materials and re-bodied icons

Carbon-fiber bodywork moves from supercars to muscle cars. SpeedKore’s Chargers (Tantrum, Evolution, Hellraiser, Hellacious) use full carbon panels and modern drivelines; Ringbrothers sells carbon pieces and builds full carbon Mustangs. Weight drops, stiffness rises, and finish quality hits OEM levels. SpeedKorePerformance+2SpeedKorePerformance+2 Ringbrothers
Design-led programs such as Singer’s DLS pair carbon bodies with motorsport engineering to reimagine vintage 911s, illustrating how far aesthetics and aero have evolved in this space. Retro Manufacturing

3) Chassis & suspension, done the modern way

Bolt-in performance frames from Roadster Shop (SPEC) and Art Morrison (GT Sport) deliver contemporary suspension geometry, improved NVH, and alignment repeatability—often engineered via 3D scanning of original floorpans for exact fit. Roadster Shop+1 Art Morrison
Brakes, ABS & traction control. Big-brake kits are now table stakes. Some builds add motorsport ABS (Bosch M5) and standalone traction control; these are calibrated systems that require proper sensors and setup. Bosch Motorsport+1 RACELOGIC
Electric power steering (EPAS) kits hide under the dash, add assist only when needed, and are adjustable—clean packaging without engine-bay hydraulics. EPAS Performance

4) Powertrains: ICE, EV, and everything between

ICE crate + modern control. Connect-and-cruise style packages and standalone ECUs (e.g., Holley Terminator X for LS) de-risk swaps and streamline calibration compared with one-off wiring. Holley
Modern transmissions in old shells. Tremec 5/6-speeds and even ZF 8-speed automatics are being integrated via standalone controllers (e.g., HTG GCU), bringing fast shifts and long-legged cruising. JEGS htg-tuning.com
EV conversions mature (with caveats). Ford’s Eluminator e-crate motor is available (motor only; you source battery/inverter/control solutions separately). GM’s earlier eCrate initiative has reportedly been cancelled/paused, so many EV restomods rely on specialists (EV West) or salvage-based systems. Singer Vehicle Design SEMA

5) Comfort, safety, and usability upgrades

Climate & acoustics. Vintage Air “SureFit” HVAC packages integrate like OEM, while modern sound deadening and seals make classics livable daily. BGR
Lighting that looks period-correct. Holley RetroBright and J.W. Speaker LED sealed-beam replacements improve output without wrecking the vintage face. Holley jwspeaker.com
Instrumentation & infotainment. Dakota Digital and retrofit head units (RetroSound with CarPlay options) offer OEM-style visuals with CAN/EFI integration. EV West Ford Performance Parts
Seat belts & structure. Three-point retrofit kits (e.g., RetroBelt) and discreet chassis stiffening increase passive safety while preserving interiors. RetroBelt

How a professional restomod gets built (a typical workflow)

Discovery & vision. Define the driving mission—touring GT, canyon car, track toy, electric cruiser—and budget. Benchmark donor quality early to avoid body surprises.
Scan, measure, plan. 3D scan the shell, CAD the packaging, and lock the chassis choice (SPEC/GT Sport/custom) and driveline. Digital mockups de-risk late changes. Roadster Shop
Metal & composites. Correct structure, fit carbon or steel panels, mock the cage or reinforcements. Advanced shops pre-bond panels and jig-check gaps. SpeedKorePerformance
Powertrain & dynamics. Install engine/EV system, trans, cooling, fuel/energy storage, brakes, steering, and suspension. Calibrate ABS/TC if used. Bosch Motorsport
HVAC, wiring, and UX. Route modern harnesses, CAN, gauges, infotainment, and A/C. Validate charging (12V and HV on EV builds), and do heat-soak and NVH tests. BGR EV West
Validation. Alignment, corner-weighting, dyno/road calibration, and shakedown miles—plus a thorough fastener & leak audit.

Business models & price realities

Commissioned builds: Bespoke programs can range from the mid-six figures to well over $1M depending on scope, materials, and provenance. (Singer/SpeedKore-style programs exemplify the high end.) Retro Manufacturing Hagerty
Productized customs: Builders like ECD now leverage standardized chassis, drivetrains, and interior menus to shorten timelines and provide warranties; their RS-chassis Mustangs start around $279,995. Road & Track
Parts & DIY: The catalog side of the industry—frames, EPAS, HVAC, lighting, gauges, EFI—supports smaller shops and serious hobbyists, widening the funnel of viable projects. Roadster Shop EPAS Performance BGR

Compliance & ethics: build responsibly

Engine swaps & emissions: Rules vary by region. In California, pre-1976 gasoline vehicles are generally exempt from biennial Smog Check, but engine changes in newer cars must meet Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) guidelines and may require a referee inspection. Plan your powertrain around local law early. Bureau of Automotive Repair
EV conversions: High-voltage systems and braking (e.g., iBooster/hydroboost) should be engineered to OEM-grade standards. Use reputable suppliers and document everything for insurance and resale. eBay

What’s next: near-term trends to watch

“OEM-grade” build processes—more scanning, more fixtures, and digital twins—will keep raising quality. Roadster Shop
Better EV swap ecosystems with integrated batteries, inverters, and control packs will lower complexity versus today’s mix-and-match solutions. Ford’s Eluminator motor is a start; third-party integration and complete kits (EV West/Hyper9) are the bridge. Singer Vehicle Design SEMA
Expanding donor pool as ’70s–’90s vehicles join the “classic” club, enabling more accessible price points and diverse aesthetics. SEMA