So you’ve bought your dream car and you’re ready to spend ALL of your free time restoring it. The first thing you’ll have to decide is what type of restoration you want. If you’re interested in a car that you can enter into shows, you’ll want to go for a concours correct, bone stock (authentic) restoration. You’ll keep everything just like it was from the factory. But, if you want to get creative, then you may want to go the restomod route. Restomods keep the classic look of an original, but the guts of the car have been revamped to incorporate modern technologies and conveniences. Then there guys who like to find a middle ground… finding the “sweet spot” somewhere in between a stock and restomod restoration. Let’s look at what each technique means in three important areas: engine/drivetrain, exterior, and interior.

Engine/drivetrain

Bone stock – Because you want the car to look and run like it just drove off the showroom floor, you won’t be doing any modifications. Ideally, you’ll have matching numbers. But, even without matching numbers, you’ll simply want (and need) to use as many original parts as possible. The parts can be “new old stock” (NOS), or even current day reproduction parts. If you do buy reproduction parts, we suggest buying those with the original tooling.

Restomod – Go crazy! Radical changes like adding a bigger engine, or even an engine from a late model car, are common. Chrome it out. Add an electronic ignition, fuel injection, nitrous oxide, superchargers, whatever you like.

Sweet Spot – Use higher performance parts, but maybe still stick to period correct parts. For instance, your 2 barrel 289 Mustang might become a four barrel 302. Add some chrome for flash, but maintain a stock look to the engine compartment. Keep things close to original, but not quite.

Exterior

Bone Stock – Again, no modifications. Look for original fenders and hoods, or go the NOS/OEM route. If your car didn’t have a hood scoop or lots of chrome, don’t add it. This goes for ground effects, spoilers, etc. Keep with the original paint color and emblems.

Restomod – Add all the chrome, pin striping, flames, and customization you want. Choose huge tires and wheels, lift or lower, whatever works for you. Be artistic. But, remember fads come and go. What is cool now may be old news in ten years. So keep it classy!

Sweet Spot – Stay close to original, but make some stylistic upgrades. Keep things like hood scoops and spoilers similar to what would have come out of the factory. You want to closely resemble a stock model without major body modifications. A slight change of stance can work if done right. Go with wheels that fit the decade and similar models. But, don’t feel like you have to use a factory original paint color.

Interior

Stock – Keep your textures and colors original. Factory seats, radios, shifters and steering wheels are a must. No wood grain or chrome trim if your model didn’t come with it straight from the factory. You may have to forget the air conditioning if you want to stay totally true to form.

Restomod – You can do just about anything. Racing seats, racing style gauges, digital gauges, an updated stereo with sub-woofers in the trunk… you name it. Think modern. Think comfortable. Think bling. Think bells and whistles.

Sweet Spot – Try going with colors and accessories that look original, even though they may not have been available in a particular combination from the factory. Add wood or chrome trim, a nicer steering wheel, even air conditioning. Whatever options were available at the time on different models you can get away with. Go with an original stereo, or use a modern one that will fit in your car (without cutting the dash).

Before you decide on which technique you want to use, remember a couple of things. If you’re interested in car shows, it’s often best to stay as close to original (stock) as possible. With a restomod, you want to be careful not to date your restoration too much. Think about what’s a trend and what’s a fad. And if you’re aiming for the sweet spot between the two, those cars can be taken back to original condition the easiest down the road if you decide to sell or get tired of your current restoration.

Of course, if you’re looking for parts for any type of restoration, you’ll want to come to the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show. With 2,700 vendor spaces, full of parts and accessories, there’s no better place to hunt down the items you need for your project. Our next event is April 13th. See you then!