Resto-modding was once a sparsely used term, but that was in the past, as restomods have become the new cool. The idea of a modern car in a vintage shell is so alluring that everyone wants in. Restomods guarantee the availability of modern features, such as power brakes, power windows, air conditioning, and other cool features in old classic cars that might not have had them when they were manufactured. Also, these cars can be fitted with modern powertrains, and they generally handle better.
As demand will always affect supply, the new affinity for restomods has led to an increase in the aftermarket activities of automobiles. Several customs shops have sprung up in various locations promising to build the future into classics. Being a relatively "new" line of adventure, many prospective clients don’t know where to turn. However, from our knowledge of their past renderings, these shops have the craziest ideas and the most perfectly executed restomods.
9 Singer Vehicle Design
It could be termed restoration, reimagination, or rebirth and none would be wrong… however, the simple explanation of what Singer Vehicle Design does, is to take their clients’ 911, in any condition whatsoever, and breathe new life into it. The company is founded by Rob Dickinson, a British musician and former band member of Catherine Wheel.
Now operating across different time zones, with offices in the UK and US, Singer Vehicle Design’s cult following is on the increase, as they’ve taken 911 resto-modding beyond average imagination.
8 Ringbrothers
The Ringbrothers need no introduction, but in case someone is reading this from a cave, then, they’re an American restoration shop founded by two brothers, Jim and Mike Ring, who are currently running riots with their restoration and modification abilities. The company has turned SEMA into their second home, winning awards with reckless abandon.
They’re credited with awesome restomods such as the UNKL, Valkyrie, and Recoil. However, as breathtaking as these restomods are, we are certain what’s cooking in the Ringbrothers’ workshop would even be more confounding.
7 Icon 4x4
People often have dormant passions lying untapped in them while they go about their careers. For retired American actor, Jonathan Ward, it was a passion for automobiles; hence, when he eventually decided to end the camera life in 2016, he started the Icon 4x4 shop.
Based in the US, Icon 4x4, through its Derelict program, brings timeless classics back to reckoning by fitting them with a modern drivetrain and state-of-the-art interior, without significantly altering the exterior. Also, their Reformer program re-imagines classics for today’s use.
6 Classic Recreations
Classic Recreations specializes in restoring Mustangs, however, they restore other classics, as well, and pride themselves in the restoration of over 200 cars since inception. With over 15 years in operation, the company based in Yukon, Oklahoma has a special team of technicians and craftsmen who bring the ideas and dreams of each client to life through meticulous coachbuilding that takes around 2,500 man-hours per order.
Classic Recreation vehicles are handcrafted with uncompromising precision and are all built in-house.
5 Emory Motorsports
It’s pretty insane what the guys at Emory Motorsports can do with vintage Porsche. Rod Emory (a modification specialist who built his first Porsche at just age fourteen) partnered with his wife, Amy, to create Emory Motorsports in 1996. Their goal was simple; “to build the most iconic, yet personalized Porsche 356s on the planet…”
Emory Motorsports’ orders are tailored to three categories of 356 Outlaw, Emory Special, and Emory RS. However, each car in these categories are treated to Emory Motorsports’ special creation and best kept in-house secret, the Emory-Rothsport Outlaw-4.
4 Canepa
Bruce Canepa has been fascinated by cars all his life. This fascination led the American to a glorious career as a race car driver, which saw him compete in sprint car racing, Trans Am Series, 24 Hours of Daytona, and others. He later retired from racing into Canepa and Concept Transporters; a company located in Scotts Valley which among other things does sports and race car restoration.
The company, through its Canepa Designs division, has also partnered with major corporations such as Ford, GM, and Bridgestone on several customization projects.
3 Alfaholics
Any resto-modding journey involving the Alfa Romeo that takes you beyond Alfaholics has probably taken you too far. Few can do it better than this company by Richard Banks, a British Alfa Romeo enthusiast who has also indoctrinated his sons, Andrew and Max, into the business.
Through extensive research and development programs, Alfaholics deliver an extensive range of upgrades such as carbon fiber body, high-performance powertrain, modern air-conditioning, etc., especially on the 105 series and other Alfa Romeo models, as well.
2 Rtech Fabrications
Rtech Fabrications are obsessed with off-roaders, hence they build insane trucks. Founded by Randall Robertson, the Idaho-based tuning shop has a special affinity for restoring ’67 to ’72 GM trucks. Over the years, they have produced some exceptional heavy-duty trucks such as the awarding-winning Ponderosa, a modified 1966 Chevy crew cab 4x4.
Rtech doesn’t only give these trucks a reinvented exterior that features a perfect bodywork covered in custom paints, but also a commensurate powerful engine that matches the new weight demand of the truck.
1 Expedition Motor Company
Expedition Motor Company is a US-based aftermarket shop that builds the G-Wagon of people’s dreams through the restoration of classics. The company’s restoration process involves searching for the highest quality and perfect G-Wagon (primarily in Germany) to be restored, after which they’re brought to the company for inspection and then disassembled.
The restoration team then arranges the necessary mechanical and electrical components, inclusive of the powertrain. The body is done last and every other part is assembled and checked through quality control; your dream Wagon is then certified ready.