Eight Cars That Make For Affordable Restomods

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles July 3, 2020 - 12:12 pm 0 3,993 Views

Restomods are by no means new to the driving community. For over 90 years, people have tried to bring classic cars up to speed with the current technology of their day. While it hasn’t always proven successful, on the occasions where people have been able to nail it, they create rare beasts of class and power. Aside from the appeal of nostalgia, being able to own something unique through and through is one of the core appeals of restomods.

However, one of the challenges that people face is that owning a restomod can be a problematic and expensive adventure. If you’re planning on building your car yourself, chances are you’re already mentally preparing for the work that will be required. However, monetary consideration is one that a lot of people fail to adequately prepare for.

Interestingly, one of the highest costs during the restomod process is the price of the car. Most car enthusiasts like to couple their thirst for uniqueness with their fondness for timeless classics. Unfortunately, these classics often cost a lot, too, whether they’re in good condition (and they rarely are) or not.

There are, however, some classics that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It’s not that they won’t cost you some money, but you can get them dirt cheap compared to other classics. Here’s a list of eight cars you should consider getting for your restomod garage:

Ford Mustangs

No car embodies the American spirit like the Ford Mustang. The ’64 – ’68 Mustangs revolutionized muscle cars as we know them. They also helped etch the Mustang into memory as one of the most loved and easily recognizable cars. While Ford continues to make new models of the Mustang, the design has changed significantly.

If you prefer the traditional Mustang design, you’re in luck as they’re ubiquitous. The ’66 and ’67 were bestsellers in their time, meaning that there’s ample supply of scrap cars you can buy to begin your project. The parts are also ridiculously easy to find, as there are a lot of companies that specialize in making them. Revology cars are one of those companies dedicated to building restomods of that class of Mustangs. They make parts for 60’s mustangs and can even help with producing them.

Keep in mind that not all Mustangs from that era come cheap. Some of them, like the ’71 Mustang Boss,’ can be very expensive to own as there as less than 2000 copies around.

Dodge Chargers

The competition between Chargers and Mustangs is age-old as they were both introduced into the market around the same time. It’s only fitting that they are placed just after the Mustang. Chargers of the 60’s and 70’s also gathered a huge following. Getting a car to restomod shouldn’t be complicated or too pricey. If you’re going for real class, you can try to restomod one of either General Lee, the famous ’69 charger, or the ’68. Both are readily available for purchase on the Internet at any time.

Your eventual goal for restoration will determine how much you spend to get the car into shape. The cost of the vehicle, and overall money spent, will also depend on the state you get the car in. However, like with Mustangs, parts are easy to come by and plentiful to choose from.

Ford Torinos

Considering that Henry Ford’s goal was to make cars that were affordable for every person, he would be proud knowing that two car models from his company ended up on our list. While Torinos are less popular than Mustangs, they are no slouches. That said, Ford stopped production of Torinos in 1976. However, since the goal of your activity is restoration, that makes them just perfect.

Just under 300,000 Torinos were produced between the four years that Ford had it in production. That doesn’t stop them from being ridiculously cheap. Hardtop and SportsRoof editions have been recorded to be on sale for as low as $10,000. If you’re looking to go for something special, you can check out the ’68 Torino Cobra. The original cobra engine has a 429 cubic-inch engine with a 360-hp rating.

Packards

You have to go way back to remember what a Packard looks like. This car model became popular around the turn of the 20th century, and finally went out of production in the late 50’s. The cars were designed as luxury products, highlighted by the fact that its primary competition was the Cadillac. It was, at one point, regarded as the best automobile in the USA.

Packards are the perfect embodiment of what classy retro automobiles should look like. The great part is that so many Packards were rolled out while in production that they’re not difficult to find. Parts may be a slight issue, but once again, the community is so large that you’ll be able to find help in no time. As they’re no longer in production and oversupplied, you can get a Packard for a pretty reasonable price. The ’56 Packard Caribbean Hardtop is a great place to start for interested buyers.

Pontiac Firebirds

Until 2002, Pontiac Firebird was one of America’s most iconic luxury cars, which is why some people may be wondering why it’s in this list. The F-body editions were the most popular ones, and also the most expensive due to their frame. They still cost quite a bit to acquire today.

Trans Am and Formula models, on the other hand, are way more affordable. Some of them can go for less than $10,000, depending on the condition. The support market is also very vibrant, so finding parts shouldn’t be too difficult. The best part is that very few people will be able to tell whether you’re driving one of the more exotic Pontiacs or not when you’re done with your restomod.

Plymouth Barracudas

Manufactured by the famous Chrysler Company, Plymouth Barracuda is a highly sought-after car. It’s widely regarded as the first muscle car that appeared on the scene in the ’60s muscle car frenzy. Some models like the ’70 to ’71 are priced rather high, and for someone looking to do a restomod, that’s a no-go.

Other models like the ’72 to ’74, on the other hand, are pretty reasonably priced. With $30,000, you might be able to get a great deal on a car. Rumor is that you can get them for even cheaper (<$5,000) if you’re willing to do serious work to get the car back in shape.

Chevrolet Camaros

This list wouldn’t be complete without the Chevrolet Camaro. Another great rival of the Mustang, the Camaro was one of the most popular cars of the 60s. Those who weren’t fans of the Mustang divided themselves along the lines of the Camaro and the Dodge Charger.

Being one of the best-performing cars of its time, the Camaro provides sustainable value for money spent on restorations and modifications. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find the ’70 Chevy Camaro for under $30,000- a price many would deem a steal. There are plenty of parts in the market, so restoration should be pretty straightforward.

Chevrolet Novas

Finally, as the last entry on the list, the Chevy Nova is a car for people with peculiar tastes. It has been out of production since 1988, but still maintains a decent following in the American market. Chevrolet initially released Nova to replace Chevy II. They are notorious for being low-maintenance, so if you’re trying a restomod project for the first time, they’re a good option.

Chevy Novas are also cheap and easy to find, except for the four-door models. If you’re looking to perform a restomod, it’s best to stay away from four-door Novas as they don’t have much interest, and by extension, support. It’s common to find a Chevrolet Nova selling for below $8,000. That, however, doesn’t detract from the performance. These cars were birthed in the heat of the muscle car race and perform accordingly.

Conclusion

There are several reasons why you may be looking to go for a restomod over a new car. In recent times, restomods have been able to attract higher prices than new cars. From the look of things, that market is only going to continue growing.

Whether you’re doing a restomod for personal use or selling at a higher price point, it’s always a fun, educating adventure. Along the way, you’ll get to make new friends, form a new community, and learn a whole lot more than you already know about cars.

One precaution, however, that you must keep in mind is that your mechanic should always be in the loop of your modifications. The entire idea behind restomods is to bring the car up to modern standards, and they can be quite tricky for the uninitiated. Your mechanic will be able to advise you on what parts to get and how to affix them to meet your regional code for noise and gas emissions.