Nostalgia about the cars of past decades is widespread, to such an extent that it has created a totally new market niche: the restomod car, that is to say classic vehicles with modern components and technologies. To define them, people use an English word, which has spread around the whole world: the portmanteau term combining restore and modern.
The former relates to restoration, returning a classic car to mint condition: a process, which is already widespread throughout the whole world. What makes the difference is the latter term, because a restomod car is a vehicle, which has been restored but not in accordance with the precise manufacturer's instructions (as has been the case and continues to be the case for decades for so many historical cars). The focus is on preserving the silhouette, the feeling and the general aspect of a model, but upgrading the technology in terms of its mechanics, its technology or its engineering.
The first workshops
The phenomenon has exploded over the course of the last two years, but had already been a feature for at least a decade on the radar of enthusiasts with true artisans who have been producing classic cars in limited series with modern touches. With modern cars becoming faster and faster, more and more powerful and high-performing yet more banal, more filtered and less enjoyable on the road, many enthusiasts wondered how they could access all their modern comforts but with the aesthetics, feeling and driveability “of the old times”. That is how the first workshops emerged where specialists and artisans modify and modernize legendary sports cars, for significant price tags. Following these first “adventurers”, the restomod car became established, and is now a truly international phenomenon.
It is not tuning
There is no doubt that there exists an analogy between tuning (such as is carried out by specialists, not amateurs) and the restomod process, particularly as in some parts of the world it is called “retro tuning“. But in contrast to tuning, where exaggeration and uniqueness for every model are sought after, desired and admired, the restomod process is more “educated”, more respectful of the car and of its original structure.
The best workshops focus on preserving the aesthetics and exterior impact of the original cars, perhaps concentrating only on the modernization of the headlights, often to full LED specification, and of the wheels, making them bigger so as to make room for high-performance brakes and tyres. The love for details and for perfection is the same, but the final objective is different. Tuning places the emphasis on grabbing anyone's attention thanks to certain aesthetic and mechanical solutions, which are not infrequently absurd, whereas the restomod process appeals to those who are not enthusiasts thanks to classic and timeless lines, and bewitches the expert with novel little details.
Mechanical and aesthetic touches
How do you modernize classic cars? The first aspect, which needs to be attended to is the mechanics. Whatever type of vehicle is involved, compared to its year of origin, it is obvious that the technology has made giant strides in relation to brakes, tyres, electronic safety systems and, above all, engines. The most desirable restomod cars often have engines which start from the basic elements, but which are totally reviewed, revisited and brought up to 2021 standards.
More and more frequently, combustion engines are substituted for zero emission ones, precisely to demonstrate the new vision. However, they do not just stop at the mechanics: the best restomod cars contain improvements to their interiors, even though occasionally some aesthetic choices for colours and surfaces might raise an eyebrow or two. The vast majority of models are now beginning to feature air conditioning systems, Bluetooth radios and chargers for portable devices, and interior lighting. Not forgetting electronic ignition systems. This brings you the pleasure of driving a classic car, often with a major history behind it, but one you can use every day.
