By Robert Emslie
Apple just came out with a new iPhone… one that looks just like their old iPhone. This one however, is packed to the gills with modern hardware making it a stealthy hot rod of a little phone. Old on the outside, new on the inside.
Cars get the restomod treatment too. There are plenty of examples of iron that looks old on the outside, maintaining the beauty and proportions of days gone by, while sporting mechanicals beneath that allow them to actually go, stop and handle like a thoroughly modern mille miglia.
Today we’d like your opinion on which cars, or makers, have offered the most desirous mix of old and new. What do you think is the best restomod so far?
Image: el124
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ICON Thriftmaster
http://sofreakingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/icon-thriftmaster-1107-970×644.jpg
I understand the reason for the stance, it’s to give it sports car handling. And you can raise it by adjusting the springs manually. But still, it detracts from the look in my opinion. Looks uncomfortably close to a generic bagger.
I agree. ICON has done some great stuff, but this one falls short.
http://hooniverse.info/2011/11/22/review-hotchkis-e-max-1970-dodge-challenger/
http://i2.wp.com/hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Hotchkis-Challenger1.jpg?w=720
Eagle’s E-types. Ever since I saw an article about Eagle recreating the E-type with modern touches, but keeping the overall look I can’t stop thinking about it.
http://cache.cyclerack.net/eaglhs63zgf1o/940x500_center.jpg
Jag XK150
http://www.bdmclassiccars.com/Jaguar-XK150.html
Jaguar XK150: http://www.bdmclassiccars.com/Jaguar-XK150.html
Yes, please.
Studebaker Coupe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePRGVOQQYgU
My second nomination is Norman Rest’s SHO-Healey. Although it’s a bit ape-crazy under the skin to be referred to as just a “restomod,” the body shell does maintain a stock exterior appearance.
http://www.britishv8.org/other/normanrest.htm
http://www.britishv8.org/other/NormanRest/NormanRest-CG.JPG
http://www.britishv8.org/other/NormanRest/NormanRest-AK.JPG
The one I want most?
http://vtec.minimania.com/
I’m very fond of the restomod concept as long as original looks are retained inside and out. That, with added convenience, power and safety might be as much a purists nightmare as it would be my daily driver dream. So far, I haven’t seen or even driven a proper restomod – it’s a rare concept in my corner of the world.
Here are three hot ones I’d take home in a heartbeat:
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Other_Makes_Husky_2_Door_Wagon_eBay_1427109933.jpg
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1954-Kaiser-Special-Club-Sedan-Front.jpg
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/1959-Nash-Rambler-Front.jpg
Is it a restomod if it stays crusty on the outside?
http://www.zcarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/cbarger-e1447314332555-1024×580.jpg
Restomod implies restoration. General Mayhem is more ratrod in spirit.
The properly preserved beauty and proportions of a Prius on the outside, but with the performance and reliability of a Harley-Davidson on the [mostly] inside. The ToyoHog:
http://www.roadkill.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Toyohog-2040×1360.jpg
…and here I thought we’d save “the worst” for tomorrow. =8^)
The weird thing is that with brand name recognition combined with solid cluelessness, one could convince random strangers that are not too much into cars of the glory of this build.
I think it’s glorious, but that might be because I spend too much time around Mike “Spank” Spangler. I’m not sure which is the cause and which is the effect, though.
Does a Coyote-powered Cobra qualify? If so, I’ll throw that into the mix. It might be just the engine, but they’re sooo amazing…
I saw one of these a few years ago and was very impressed:
http://www.driving.co.uk/s3/st-driving-prod/uploads/2014/12/JensonInterceptor.jpg
…but — given my avatar — I should probably vote for this:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUh1hkKCMAAZi1B.jpg
ICON Bronco?
The Mechatronik M-Coupe, a Mercedes-Benz W111 with a late model M-B engine, transmission, brakes, electronics and more.
http://www.mechatronik.de/uploads/tx_templavoila/Engineering_10.jpg
Maekelae Auto Tuning’s Model A.
http://image.hotrod.com/f/9547455+w660+h495+cr1/hrdp_0801_cos_19_z%2B1929_ford%2Bmodel_a%2Bturning.jpg
What appears to be a nicely restored stock Model A is actually the ultimate sleeper with a 250hp Cosworth BDA four banger from an old rally car that can hit 60 in 5 seconds. My favorite part are the wood spoke wheels, which are actually painted billet aluminum.
…this is just off the scale. Wonderful!
MBZ built this 190E with a modern Bluetec diesel. GOD I WANT THIS SO MUCH. it solves LITERALLY EVERY PROBLEM with the 190E, which i regard as the best-styled car in history.
Something like this may happen with one of my W124s, Those engines are getting cheaper.
For the third nomination for ICON, I like all Derelicts, which, while a little lacking on the “resto” part, are all the better for it.
http://press.icon4x4.com/sites/icon4x4.com/files/imagecache/Preview/gallery/ICON_Derelict_46_Lincoln_F34_2.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/w2vCYXumEhA/maxresdefault.jpg
http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/jonathan-wards-daily-driver-icon-derelict_100402531_l.jpg