Resto Mods or Not

GM missed the boat on the 50th anniversary of the Vette. If they had made a resto mod C1, it would have been like a Ford GT and selling for mega bucks.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

Dale,
This post reminded me of the Blue Fire Metalic 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner that my business partner bought 20+ years ago. He found the car on a Sunday and he was $8K short on cash in his pocket. I busted open my safe, grabbed the cash and met him where he was looking at the car. This was his high school dream car. I suggested buying anything else. He went through with the purchase (he paid top dollar+ ) and we went for a test drive. The Roadrunners had the crappy taxi cab interior and the front seat offered no support. It was a hold-on ride. He got the car moving pretty good until we got to the first red light. He stabbed the drum brakes as we went right through the intersection. He sold the car at a loss two weeks later and bought brand new 1996 Impala SS. He has never bought an old car since.

 

https://www.crcoachworks.com/models


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've been toying with the idea of putting modern suspension, brakes and drivetrain under this. But it makes users here mad.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'm thumbs up on the Benz, Matt.

I have wondered about doing a Corniche. It has an easy driveline to drop a SB Chevy in.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Bingo.

Back then going 100 was taking your life in your hands.

 

The Coupes were a very elegant car but a 2. whatever 6 cyl and a swing axle rear end was not my idea of a good time. The V8 version is pretty rare and spendy.

 

Those make my skin crawl no matter what motor they have.

 

What's your pick for a Resto-Rod, Brian???

 

Given time and money there are quite a few. A Checker would be fun but more probably an early GTO, Trans Am or a 67/68 Mustang fast back. Big block/6 speed. I do prefer pretty period exterior and interior with all the modern stuff hidden.Even prefer period looking wheels.

 

Exactly. It's a gorgeous car just asking for some modern guts!

Matt

 

.
Time and money are the easy part IMHO.

There is a guy in Las Vegas that has been working on an early 60s Checker for years now. It started as a rat-rod but it will end up a nice Resto with a Hemi under the hood if he can get some body work and paint done. I like seeing long term Rod projects progress. My Bel Air took four years and more money than I want to talk about. At least I found out how to spend $125K on a $10K car.

 

I like Mopars a lot but like them for what they were not what you can make one into. I wouldn't cut up a Mopar of the period but an old Tempest or a plain Jane Mustang? Who cares? Well maybe a 68 Charger lowered with big rubber on steel wheels and a 500 inch Hemi.

 

RestoMods aren't exclusive to 60s/70s American cars. This is what's in the blue XJC posted earlier. Plus the stinkin' Jag already has the rear suspension that many hot rodders prefer.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

But not the rear differential!

Matt

 

Details, details.

I suppose it depends on how much power you're running and whether its an XJC with 6 or 12?

 

I’m pretty sure I could detonate either one with my SBC upgrade!

There are lots of aftermarket options...

Matt

 

Details are a MF wade. LOL

I did a built LS-1 in my Bel Air, but the next time around I want a big carburetor instead of FI and the computer. I did it with a ZZ4 crate motor before, but I bought a Dart SB 427 for this round. Less is more sometimes.

 

LOL. Hense my difference between a RestoMod and a RestoRod!

Turns out, the blue XJC has a rear unit from a XJS.

 

Less IS more. Can't race stop light to stop light any more. Not like to old days.

 

Want a good deal on my Bel Air??? I am going to end up keeping the car because I will never get a decent price for it. Since we are BSing Restos please take a look at my car and tell me if you think it should stay or go. I like the car too much to dump it in an auction. If I have to bring it home from my buddy's dealership something has to go. My Buddy priced it way too high but it is free climate controlled storage for me at this point.

https://www.atomicmotors.net/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=2022388&p=3&at=car%7Ctruck%7Cutility%20vehicle&s=Year&d=D&fr=xAllInventory

Mods: I'm not trolling for a sale, I am looking for advice.

 

I am slowing down in every aspect brother. A younger me would kick my ass for wanting a car with great brakes and A/C that cuts it in Las Vegas.
Five years ago I still had my chopped 33 Fordor with a Flathead.

 

Looks very well done. If it were mine? Silver, and lowered a bit. But not too much, like these.


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

These are air bagged.

Matt

 

I picked the 63 Bel Air out very carefully for Power Touring with Lake Tahoe and Hot August Nights in mind. I won a bunch of stuff with the car but no one wants to buy it. Selling this car is holding up my next project, but I don't like to dump cars. I would have lowered the car or bagged it but the roads we drive on will punish a car that rides to low. I like the look with the stock wheels too. Ugly, huge wheels is a big turn off for me on older cars.