5 Reasons You Need a Restomod Corvette

James Dean Cool

Some old cars are cool. In fact, if you look at cars like the Bel Air, Chevelle, and Impala, you might be correct in saying vehicle design—from an aesthetic standpoint—peaked in the 60s and 70s. No era of vehicles stirs the soul and makes you lust over their curvaceous features as these historic machines do. There’s only one problem: they don't drive all that well. Ask anyone who has driven one of these cars stock and they will tell you that short of straight-line, low-speed cruising, these cars can be anything but confidence-inspiring. All you have to do is hit the track in an original Corvette and you’re likely to burn up your brakes and bury it in a hedge. That’s where restomods come in.

Image courtesy of Superchevy.com 

Futuristic Performance Figures

While we can all agree these classic 'Vettes are the best looking, there is no denying they lack performance compared to newer sports cars. Restomods change that by blending modern performance parts (and knowledge) with the look and feel of classic muscle. Components that typically see modernization are the engine, suspension and wheel/tire fitment. These things really do handle and accelerate miles beyond the original finished product. Heck, they even embarrass most modern cars. 

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Affordable Super Speed

You can easily get your hands on an ultra-powerful restomod for the price of a new ZR1. but you just don’t get the same cool factor with a ZR1. Many restomods are actually selling for what a well-maintained stock example goes for, which means you get all of the looks and performance for a reasonable amount. Restomods can be an absolute bargain. 

Image courtesy of Speed Hunters

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Resale Value

Restomods are great investments when done correctly. Just two years ago a Chevy K5 Blazer was modified to accept a Corvette LS3 that produced 430hp and traded hands at Barret Jackson for roughly $220,000. Unlike a brand new car, these things don’t lose value once they roll off the line. Custom restomods often retain value and trade hands with little fluctuation. This is mainly due to the fact that they tend to be rare builds that you don’t come across every day. Owners know what they have and aren’t quick to part with their beloved custom creations. 

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Standing Out

No one in the modified car scene wants to show up to an event with the same car as the next guy. Every restomod is unique and different from the next one, which means there isn’t a standardized way to build these cars. While some people do copy each other, the scene rewards those that take risks while staying true to the way these cars looked out of the factory. Many Chevy-based restomods end up looking like a concept car from the late 60s that never got produced. They stand out in a crowd among 100 modified cars of the exact same make, model and year. 

>>Join the conversation about restomod Corvettes right here in CorvetteForum.com.

Time Capsules

Restomods are the best of all things modern and vintage all rolled into one. If you think they aren’t fast, you’d be wrong. If you think they aren’t good looking, you’d be insane. But if you think they are desirable, lust-worthy pieces of engineering, then you just might be a gearhead to the core. All it takes is one look to fall in love with these updated classics.  

>>Join the conversation about restomod Corvettes right here in CorvetteForum.com.

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