I finally "get" the Restomod thing.

[sugarwood]

A Rover friend sent me this:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/land-rover/defender-110/1893756.html

Sounds crazy, but that is actually a great price. I've seen unrestored, unimproved NA-spec Defenders go for $60K

You know what is funny? This ad instantly gave me a insight to the classic car restomod mindset and valuation.

I grew up liking muscle cars in the 80s, and quickly was indoctrinated into the originality mindset. Mods detracted from the period correct time capsule aura. If you want a modern car, then go buy one! Decades later, this mindset remained again in my adult cars, as well. I still dislike mods of any kind. When I see a muscle car restomod, my eyes burn and I vomit a little bit.

But, with this Rover, I love the restomod. Why the heck not? The thing is MINT. Like new. What a value! Tons of value invested into this thing.

The difference is that I have no investment whatsoever in the originality pedigree since I have no emotional connection to the Rover or its history. So, with a blank slate, the restomod is vastly preferable to me!

When I apply this reaction to the classic muscle car thing, boom, it’s all clear!

While Sugarwood sees a muscle car restomod as blasphemy that burns my eyes, younger people with no muscle car basis or history in the lineage do not.

They just see awesomeness. A lot more than a boring stock time capsule. Exactly how I see this RoverMod.

What would you rather have an unimproved stock car or one with $30k worth of goodies? When not giving a crap about originality, I’ll gladly take all the goodies! The more mods the better!

Damn.

[arcsine]

well, I could buy a 2017 El Camino for $35,000


or I could buy a 'classic' 1970 ElCo, toss in an EFI system, multipiston brakes, engineered suspension and steering gear, bucket seats and 3-point seatbelts, upgrade the electronics with relays/fuses and drive the hell out of it for less than $20,000.


I am missing ABS and airbags and I still need to do the EFI, brakes and suspension but option B is more fun for me.

[911boost]

Wait, there's a new El Camino?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Pretty sure Chevy has never officially said they are reintroducing the El Camino.

For me, I'm in favor of anything that makes a car more enjoyable to drive. Because that's the fundamental appeal to me, I want to DRIVE them. I don't really care about collectibility, I want to enjoy the experience.

[cockerpunk]

if you ever actually drive an old muscle car, you will "get" the whole restomod thing.

mostly, old american iron drives like ****. and needs serious upgrades to the brakes, suspension, and engine (if only for reliability).

[RKDinOKC]

My brother finally got the 57 T-Bird of his dreams. It was a super high quality restoration. Couple of years later he sold it. Reason...It drove like a 57 T-Bird.

[pavulon]

that looks like an el camaro.

[wdfifteen]

If you want to experience driving a new car, just get a new car. I like driving my '47 Dodge. It's a totally different experience. I could put a fuel injected V8 in it, but I like adjusting the choke and hand throttle. I like a 3 speed transmission with a stick that goes straight to the shift rails.
Call me crazy.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

if you ever actually drive an old muscle car, you will "get" the whole restomod thing.

mostly, old american iron drives like ****. and needs serious upgrades to the brakes, suspension, and engine (if only for reliability).

Agreed, my Son and I bought a 68 Olds Cutlass, it handled like a boat, even with complete new suspension with new high tech bushings and springs and shocks.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Wait, there's a new El Camino?

Chevy keeps promising it but has yet to deliver. It is just a rumor car.

My 86 Elky has 349,000 miles and is my daily driver. I converted to fuel injection about 12 years ago so it starts and runs like a modern car. No ABS, traction control, but I added a modern stereo with Bluetooth and a USB port. The rear view mirror is auto dimming and opens the garage doors.

After driving a 2017 Macan it is the stone ages. But I can buy GM Goodwrench brake pads for 12 bucks. Rotors are 25. It is cheap for parts.

Nothing is cheaper than a small block Chevy.

[gwag]

Sugarwood not to pop your balloon, but........ that Rover is a brand new Puma (110). There is nothing restored or modded. Go to the UK and buy one for about $35-40K then ship it back here......oh wait that's illegal. SO it has been VIN swapped with an 88. Over the last few years US Customs had an active campaign to hunt and destroy these "illegal" trucks. Hopefully these regs will loosen with administration change.

[pavulon]

I think people doing restomods are generally giving mundane and affordable cars a last chance at being something special. I hope the movement has legs and that it doesn't become the next Pro Street--which effectively created a bunch of cartoon cars.

[petrolhead611]

You will have trouble buying a brand new Land Rover Defender-production stopped in 2015, and they cost far more than $35000

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pavulon

that looks like an el camaro.

My thought exactly.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

If you want to experience driving a new car, just get a new car. I like driving my '47 Dodge. It's a totally different experience. I could put a fuel injected V8 in it, but I like adjusting the choke and hand throttle. I like a 3 speed transmission with a stick that goes straight to the shift rails.
Call me crazy.

Depends upon your intended use. If you were wanting to daily drive/commute in something more interesting than a Toyota or Honda, the hand choke and crappy brakes and suspension might get real old real quick. I could definitely see creating a restomod out of something classic, and by classic, I mean an old car with good bones, like a run of the mill Malibu, Nova, Impala, Cutlass, Skylark, etc... or maybe even an SS or something that had been around the block with motor swaps and/or unoriginal parts here and there. I certainly wouldn't buy an all original rare (and sought after) model and then restomod that.

If it was a weekend occasional car show car, then I might not restomod it. Then the originality may have some charm.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

If you want to experience driving a new car, just get a new car. I like driving my '47 Dodge. It's a totally different experience. I could put a fuel injected V8 in it, but I like adjusting the choke and hand throttle. I like a 3 speed transmission with a stick that goes straight to the shift rails.
Call me crazy.

Exactly. The fun for me in the anachronism of the experience. I saw what looked like a really nice 1952 Chevy pickup last night, but it had a crate motor and an awkwardly-transplanted late-model car interior - kind of ruined the whole thing.

[wayner]

Since this thread has covered restomods, elcaminos and the blasphemy of crate motors, my project should fit right in!
(let the flames begin)





1959 Apache marks the first mix of car and truck styling (actually the limited production cameo was first and essentially the prototype to this model), covet C4 suspension and brakes, but everything else is stock except the custom box cover that I made.

Its got the old bench seat, superman gauges, three in the tree, and straight six (rather than go crate motor, I'm about to upgrade my old carb to this I think)
(These next pics are not mine but show the suspension and engine better)

[Norm K]

^^^ Wheel choice is everything and, sorry, but this truck got it very wrong.

_

[wayner]

Wheels came with it and are easy to change

In any event, you know that what you did is like calling a mothers baby ugly right ?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I think that truck is freaking awesome. So there.