I saw a lot of restomod cars this past week and I kept thinking which car I would want to restomod

I think I'd want a restomod IROC. Something that really makes the car nice from top to bottom, inside and out.

I love the outside of these cars and I've seen people change out the suspension and drivetrain to make them powerful and decent handling cars, but I've yet to see one with a decent interior, which quite honestly requires a total redo overall to make it nice. This is where the mod of restomod would be fully utilized if I had my way as restoring the original interior is like putting lipstick on a pig. I realize this would end up with a car that cost far more than it would be worth, but I suppose people that do restomods aren't really in it for the money necessarily.

This is my Uncle's restomod Nomad.

Here are a few restomod cars I saw around the show.

IMHO the silver truck isn't a restomod--basically every part on it is custom. To me, a restomod has to look more or less original. That said, I don't want quibbling over words to create the impression that one kind of hot rod is inferior to another. I like the silver truck...I just don't think restomod is the right word for it.

This is my T-Bird. Every body panel on it is stock (except for the front bumper). It has all the factory trim, factory interior, factory dash, factory gauges, factory radio (face, the guts are electronic), etc.

But it also has this.

Cobra engine looks right at home. Very nice!

Pontiac Aero Coupe

LS, T56, suspension upgrades, custom wheels that "look" kinda stock, but can fit modern rubber - you know - the usual stuff.

My dream car is a '55-'56 Ford 2-door wagon done as a restomod. 2-tone candy red and solid white. Coyote Mustang drivetrain and suspension all around. Interior somewhere between saddle and tan, with all the goodies. Split 5-spoke 18" wheels with deep chrome dishes and centers that match the candy red.

Yes. Yes. That's it.

Still dreaming of a 12-second rock-stock looking four door turbo slant-six dart.

And I like the IROC idea. Those cars’ looks have aged well, IMO.

One them suicide door Lincoln Continentals. Modern not as thirsty or obscure Ford engine, maybe a supercharged 5.4 , 3.5 ecoboost, or 6.2. Modern air ride suspension. Modern brakes, AC, lights, sound system, and ICE. Same for those fairlanes and galaxie 500 fastbacks. 

Also, Covair new everything except bodylines lol. 

Seeing what Keith and the crew do involving V8s and little Japanese convertibles would work for me. 

Theres a duster build on here.....

And an el Camino. 

And a volvo......

I am never very impressed with custom car interiors.  They always seem dated or tacky or a band aid slapped over the factory stuff. I'd love to open a shop specializing in interior restorations.  I would offer injection molding, thermoforming, carbon fiber construction among others to be able to create all-new interiors that looked factory.  I mean, it's pretty easy with 1930's era cars...

...but newer cars generally look like crap. 

Oh, and I'd want to do a early-80s Supra

Clean up the lines, integrate the wheel arches better, massive rolling stock over a race car suspension and a twin turbo straight six up front.  

In reply to pinchvalve :

If you ever get down Baltimore more there's an upholstery shop, Ben's on Harford Rd, it's about 3 blocks from a custom foam place. The work from Ben's is outstanding, I think that you'd appreciate it. 

pinchvalve said:

Oh, and I'd want to do a early-80s Supra

Clean up the lines, integrate the wheel arches better, massive rolling stock over a race car suspension and a twin turbo straight six up front.  

Leave this alone. Perfect as is. /thread

1960 Cadillac and it would play this song all the time.

Bob Seger - Get out of Denver

I want to do a first gen celica again. Gonna do a coupe this time, 1uz swap it with real cams, headwork and itbs. Throw some recaro pole positions in there. Do a nice rotisserie build on it, tucked and simple. Man that would make me happy. 

Dusterbd13 said:

Theres a duster build on here.....

 

And an el Camino. 

 

And a volvo......

I was going to say I think I’m doing it. But there are 2 others for me. An 89caprice and an early 80’s k20 suburban with a dmax/Allison 

I want to do a 4 eye hatchback foxbody (either waffle grill 84 or the cleaner 85) with a bolt on 3.7 v6 out of an 11-up Mustang, and the IRS and brakes from a 99-03 Cobra. 

I did drivetrain, electrical, plumbing on a white late 80's IROC for a guy a couple years ago. He wanted more of a backdated old school set up so all the computer related electronics and fuel injection items were removed. It got a mild build carbed engine with distributor, t-400 trans, cat-less exhaust, etc.  He had an interior shop do a black leather interior for him using aftermarket buckets that came out pretty nice. The console, shifter, steering wheel, and dash were the remaining clues to the 80's heritage.

3rd gens can be a pain if you're in a place where you have emission compliance requirements. Here in FL there's no inspections or testing so it's a free for all.

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What would I want to resto mod?

Avanti, Continental Mark II, Ford Cortina

IROCs are becoming a thing

I too have been looking for a 3rd gen camaro.  I have a t56 and an lt1 in my garage that would really wake one up.

Those IROCs look great lowered - they were my favorite car when I was growing up.

Ian F said:

Pontiac Aero Coupe

LS, T56, suspension upgrades, custom wheels that "look" kinda stock, but can fit modern rubber - you know - the usual stuff.

There was one for sale a little south of me for $3500.  Perfect candidate for a resto-mod.  Straight body, faded paint, didn’t run.  Except I would have gone the GM 2.0T route had it not sold 30 mins before I called.

In reply to STM317 :

That first blue one you pictured gave me a little movement. It just looks right.