Our Two Cents: Our ultimate offbeat restomods

Try harder and they will interchange. Sajeev Mehta

Sure, cars like the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro are great candidates for a slick retro-fit to modern powertrains, high-tech suspensions, and all the other bits that make restomodding so popular. But what if you want to get a little weirder? I wanted to see if my co-workers would channel their inner Project Valentino, and consider something akin to the insanity of my restomodding of a Fox-body Lincoln Continental. Even it doesn’t feel that insane after you’ve done all you can to a Fox-body Mustang but I digress.

Let’s ask our team about their ultimate offbeat restomod: What would they make if they had all the money and labor in the world to create it?

Model T EV

I really think an EV Model T would be so much fun. It doesn’t need to go fast, and technically you only lose the need for the timing adjustment. The throttle lever could be a rheostat and then the driver uses the same three pedals of the stock ‘T. It would be perfect for popping around town. — Kyle Smith

Honda-powered Corvair

chevrolet_corvair_500_sedan_lead
GM

Here’s one that I’ve been pestering Kyle about for a while: a Honda K-series swapped Corvair. Why, you ask?

Honda K-series are the LS equivalent of 4-cylinders and are easy to come by. The Corvair’s transmission requires a counterclockwise rotation engine, and that’s precisely how the K spins its crank. You can keep it simple and build a high-RPM screamer that makes 200–300 hp, which is way more than stock, or you can add a turbo and crank the wick WAAAAAY up for some extra danger. — Greg Ingold

“But, but boxer Subie swap!” — Sajeev Mehta

“Nah, that answer seems too obvious.” — Greg Ingold

A Fighting Fit Boxster

Porsche

I’ve always thought it’d be fun to build my 986-generation Boxster the way I think it should’ve left the factory. The chassis would be set up as a modern equivalent GTS-spec—more capable than the base cars, but not as stiff as the GT3. Light-weighting with carbon body panels and a front end updated with 996.2 headlights and GT3 front bumper. Expensive leather and stitched interior surfaces to make it feel less budget-oriented. Add in a Mezger 3.6 from that generation GT3. Grab the wheels off the original concept car. And then finish it all off in a subtle ’50s Porsche color like Azure Blue. — Eddy Eckart

A not Lil’ Red Dodge

Dodge

I had a 1979 full-time four-wheel-drive, short bed, stepside Dodge pickup in red—sort of an anonymous Lil’ Red without the embarrassing side graphics and exhaust pipes. It was during the gas crisis so I got a four-speed manual with the 225 cubic-inch slant-six, thinking it would save me money. It did not.

I got 10 miles per gallon sitting, driving, off-roading: No matter what, it got 10 miles per gallon. Still, I loved that truck and always wondered what it would be like with a proper V-8. I’d drive a restomod version of that pickup every day. — Steven Cole Smith

Lamborghini E-Spada

1970 lamborghini espada birthday 2
Lamborghini

Already doing it (or I will when I get around to it): EV powertrain in a Lamborghini Espada. The E-Spada if you will. I want one that I can daily drive on short trips, and the gas Espada is singularly terrible for that, what with 17.5 quarts of oil in the engine to warm up. It takes 10 minutes before the oil temp needle is even off the peg, and you can’t really run it hard until the needle moves.

Also, they stink. And leak. The engine is both the best and worst thing about any old Lamborghini. Electrifying is a perfect solution, and with a 100-mile battery, the weight distribution works out about the same as a fully fueled gasser. Got the rolling shell donor, just need the time and money, and for the EV conversion industry to develop a bit more. — Aaron Robinson

Front-engine C8

Sajeev Mehta

I’d pay some angry Corvette purist to build a C8 Corvette with the engine up front. I don’t really think the packaging would allow for a big V-8 beneath that low nose, so maybe I’d spec it with an Iron Duke four or a 13B rotary, just to make that angry purist even angrier. — Stefan Lombard

All Corvettes are red … block.

C4 Corvette
Brandan Gillogly

Stefan, you’ve inspired me. I love Corvettes, and I love 240-series Volvos. I also love Corvette-swapped 240s—but we gotta do something with all those jettisoned Swedish four-cylinders. Lord knows they have a lot of life left in them. (This is true no matter how many miles the engine may have. Any 240 owner will back me up.) Why not a Redblock-swapped Corvette? I’ll be generous to the purists and pick a C4—the least sexy of the breed, and the squarest. — Grace Houghton

Project Hermès?

After Project Valentino, there’s only one choice. Bugatti

Since I am already answering this particular question with my Project Valentino, it’s hard to top what’s currently emptying my wallet. Then I thought of other designer editions, and the Bugatti Veyron Hermès edition is the only thing crazier than what’s currently in the hopper. Unlike the Valentino-fettled Fox-body, I doubt you can squeeze any more out of that Bugatti’s factory engineering, but perhaps more aero would be worth it. I’m thinking a fan in the back like that Chaparral race car.

But wait, there is more power afoot: Gut the powertrain and slam in the EV-guts from the Rimac Nevera. It would chop off a second from the Bugatti’s 0–60 time, be even more silent/train-like than it currently is, and it’d ensure I never deal with camera-laden gawkers at the gas station. Not that I’m famous, but I ain’t got time for that. — Sajeev Mehta

 

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Comments

    I’ve thought a lot about this exact topic. I believe whole heartedly that the greatest “FinalWord” retomod that could ever be built would be a Facel 2 (which always came with the most powerful Mopar engine available) done to a very high standard with a Hellephant motor. One of the 100 made in a car of less than 200 made! It would have a perfect name too…..Facelephant!

    Rajeev

    Forget the obvious..here’s a weird one.

    A 1963-4 Studebaker Avanti.

    (okay, in real life use one of the early continuation cars so you don’t irrevocably alter an original).

    Great looks, even a nice interior for the period. Built in AC when most cars had underdash units. Even had disc brakes.
    Not a bad engine, a Studebaker 289 in special R-1 tune, or the supercharged R-2….but let down by its ’50s underpinnings.
    I restored one at great expense. I had a friend drive it who has more experience with cars of that era (a host of fast Fords including a ’67 Shelby) and he said driving it was straight out of the ’50s.

    So, put a better frame under it with decent suspension, or have one custom made…your choice.
    Then do what you want with the engine, but I’d probably stay with a Student R-2 for propriety sake.
    Just leave the looks alone.

    I love it. I’d add a built up small block Ford with more cubes and the latest aluminum heads and a mild cam, maybe a 6-speed manual too for effortless high speed cruising.

    I had a dream of making an Opel GT look more like a 246 GT. My brother and I had one that had a targa roof, extended back end, was lowered and had flared fenders. It needed significant interior help and some other work, but we didn’t have the funds. Under the hood, the 1.9 was assisted with a pair of 45DCOEs. My vision would be to have some scoops cut into the doors and fenders like the 246, then replace the engine with either 1) for general driveability purpose, something modern, reliable, powerful and fuel-injected. A Civic Si or R motor would be insane. Basically, something that likes to rev, sounds great and ideally would put the power numbers above 200. Or 2) go nuts and source a Ferrari motor to make it seem more legit. I’m not sure if a 308/328 V8 would be too large and heavy, so maybe it would have to be a 246 motor. But then, it would probably be too expensive and not make any sense at all. So, back to option 1. 🙂

    The one I’ve got obviously. Kreacher, my 1968 Riley Elf MKIII with a D16Z6 Honda VTEC drivetrain. 13 inch rubber on Performance Superlite spokes, 9.5 inch disc brakes up front, coil spring rear and coil-over front suspension, custom fuel system, Miata front seats, Autometer gauges and more.

    Great Scott! A DeLorean with a Mr Fusion fuel source and a flux gate capacitor system. That way I could go back in time and buy some more cool cars in mint condition at low prices.
    Serriously, I’m more interested in “resto” without the”mod”.

    1972-6 Mercedes 250-280C coupe with Euro bumpers and M156 6.2 NA AMG V8 motor, 7 speed auto, upgraded suspension and brakes.

    Hellcat Hemi V8 hidden under cover amidship driving the rear wheels in any old Chrysler minivan. Leave the stock fwd drivetrain in place to use (for stealth) when required. Twin throttle pedals to confuse the natives.

    Back around 1965 my Air Force roommate had a Chevy V8 installed in a Borgward. Had to move the firewall back and it made for very cramped seating. Under-steer was an understatement. It didn’t want to do anything but remain in a straight line. Finally realized that turning into a corner was quit necessary, so he got rid of it and bought a MG-TD whereupon he put a Volvo engine in. Might have been fun except somebody forgot to put the oil plug back in.

    OK, Greg, you got me thinking it’s time to buy a Corvair–a 4 door Corvair! Fab the Honda K series engine into it for the best sleeper. Nader’s book, Unsafe At Any Speed, will need an addendum.

    I dream about taking my beloved 2008 Honda Element to Dave Kindig to see what he would do with it! LOL!! Pretty much my only guideline would be that the color would need to stay in the blue/violet neighborhood since my car’s name is “The Blueberry.” It is approaching 200,000 miles and I would love to keep driving it for another 100,000 miles or more. Unfortunately, the words “subframe rust” were used at my last maintenance visit. If I can keep it running, maybe it can qualify for “classic car” insurance at some point. 🙂

    Not as off the wall crazy as some of these, but I have my dream restomod in my garage. 1983 Plymouth Scamp pickup with a 1989 Dodge 2.5 Turbo/intercooled engine and 5-speed. Looks totally stock from the outside, but stomp the loud pedal, and watch out!!! I really enjoy messing with the local ricers and Mustang/Camaro owners…. 🙂

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