THESE ARE THE 10 COOLEST RESTOMODS BUILT IN 2024

Restomods are the latest trend in the high-end automotive market as customers with deep pockets look for the prestige and thrills of classic car ownership combined with modern tech and performance for a better driving experience and the restomod has presented itself as the perfect solution. As a result, more and more older models are being given the modern treatment, from SUVs to sports cars.

While some modifications are purely cosmetic or involve minor tech upgrades such as the addition of a modern infotainment system, complete restomods are more radical, altering the character of the car to create something entirely different. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest examples on the scene in 2024.

Everrati LM002 "Rambo Lambo"

This is Everrati’s all-electric interpretation of the Lamborghini LM002. Nicknamed the “Rambo Lambo”, the LM002 was originally powered by a V12 engine borrowed from the Countach. This innovative version will be powered by electric motors, which will likely be installed as part of a collaborative effort between Everrati and UAE firm W Motors.

The project was commissioned by a client based in the UAE, and Everrati is currently in the process of studying its feasibility and how they’re going to go about bringing this unique build to life. For the time being, the electric LM002 is a one-off, but in the future, Everrati may be able to create more for other clients as well.

Vigilante Viper V10 Cherokee

As far as cool engine swaps go, this is definitely up there as it looks like a nicely maintained and unassuming classic Jeep Cherokee, yet it hides a V10 engine borrowed from a Dodge Viper under its hood. Texas-based company Vigilante 4x4 has quite the track record when it comes to shoving powerful engines into other vehicles, and this Cherokee is no exception with a new power output figure of 825 horsepower.

Before the ten-cylinder beast was dropped, the vehicle underwent a meticulous restoration process from the ground up, which involved replacing the body panels with fresh, original ones, installing modern electrical components, restoring and modernizing the interior, and repainting in a classic two-tone color scheme of Frosted Glass Blue and Stratus White.

Kalmar 7-97 E-Volt Porsche 911

We’re taking a turn from the land of V10s back into the world of all-electric builds, given the futuristic name of “electromods”. This one-of-a-kind Porsche 911 is likely the most eco-friendly in existence, not just because of its powertrain, but because the donor car used to create it was an abandoned 964 found with no engine in situ, which would have rusted away and become waste if not rescued by Kalmar Automotive.

The rescued electromod project puts one more classic car back on the road, even if not in its original form. The 7-97 E-Volt also had some improvements made on the front end, granting an improved aerodynamic profile. Last of all, a powertrain sourced from a donor Tesla Model S was installed, producing 450 hp.

ECD Ford Mustang

The name Roush Performance is one of the most well-known in the American performance car and tuning community, producing a host of high-performance components and building modified vehicles that always turn heads. Their latest venture is a collaboration with ECD Auto Design, an automotive shop based in Florida.

ECD is now venturing into Mustang restoration, and their creations will be powered by a selection of Roush V8 engines. The original cars are 1967 and 1968 Mustangs, stripped down to their bare bones before being restored from the ground up. Their newly transplanted engines will be joined by other modern upgrades like MagnaFlow's Street Series exhaust system and braking touches like Wilwood Superlight calipers.

Ora-Ito Renault R17

Renault is on a retro-futuristic streak as of lately, with the iconic R5 being revived in modern guise as an electric hatchback and its Alpine counterpart, the A290, turning heads at Goodwood. This take on the R17 is the result of a collaboration between Renault and French designer Ora Ito, known for his portfolio of work with high-profile brands such as brewer Heineken and watchmaker Swatch.

All the design features that made the original car so striking have been preserved and modernized into a sleek, minimalistic package that feels up-to-date while echoing styling cues from the brand’s past. Thanks to a carbon fiber chassis, the final product is extremely lightweight as well, weighing only 3,080 lbs. This in-house, one-off restomod was unveiled earlier this year at the company’s Maison5 “experience store” dealership in Paris.

Eccentrica Lamborghini Diablo

The Lamborghini Diablo, a style icon for millions of millennial car fans, has been given a new lease on life thanks to innovative restomod startup Eccentrica Cars, founded by entrepreneur Emanuel Colombini. Eccentrica’s approach to the restomod process for the Diablo is slightly unorthodox, as the firm is simply operating with the goal of bringing the car up to modern drivability and safety standards and improve upon some of its design flaws. For example, reworking the headlights to improve visibility, while still paying homage to the original design.

Eccentrica’s plan is to build the reworked Diablo on a very small scale, with only 19 examples due to be delivered to their new homes in 2025. The firm has also started to look at future projects, although we still don’t know which Lambo model they will tackle next.

Kingsley Re-Engineered Defender

While there are plenty of Land Rover Defender restomods to choose from, this creation by Kingsley Re-Engineered stands out due to its “overhauled, original powertrain”. While most restomod companies prefer to fit their Defenders with a brand new powerplant, Kingsley has opted to go down the authenticity route, restoring and improving what was already there.

That being said, there are alternate options available as well. For customers who prefer a bit more grunt, Kingsley has produced its own 4.2-liter V8 option, and Chevrolet-sourced LS3 and LT1 mills are also available. The design has been mostly left untouched, but there is plenty of room for customization according to the customer’s wishes, including the interior, which can be upgraded with a host of modern creature comforts.

Thornley Kelham Jaguar XK120

This reimagining of a stunning early 50s Jaguar comes from British restomod brand Thornley Kelham, which only produced 25 examples. The “European GT”, as the company has called their new creation, has a much more sculpted shape with a wider body, a shorter roof, and bigger wheels. The result is a car with somewhat of a hot-rod character, blending elements of British and American automotive style.

The engine has also been reworked to produce more power with 300 horsepower available or an additional 60 horsepower with the optional “Fast Road” spec. The transmission has also been upgraded to a five-speed manual instead of the original four-speed unit. Nearly all other mechanical components, including the suspension and differential, have been replaced with modern parts as well.

Works Bespoke Classic Defender V8

This Classic Defender build does not come from a standalone restomod company, but from Land Rover’s own restoration and customization department, Works Bespoke. The company is bringing back the Defender’s ancestor, with a restomod project involving the V8-powered version of the Classic chassis.

Two different body designs are available and include the two-door 90 and the extended-wheelbase 110. Donor vehicles are sourced from model years 2012 through 2016, before being given a comprehensive restoration treatment that includes a new suspension setup. A wealth of cosmetic and accessory options are available with a large paint color palette and optional extras including a winch and LED light bar.

Gunther Werks GWR Porsche 911

Restomod specialist Gunther Werks has paid homage to the last air-cooled Porsche 911, the 993 generation. Their unique creation dubbed the GWR, is limited with just 40 examples being built. Gunther Werks has already created restomod versions of the 993 as producing modernized versions of the air-cooled 911 is the company’s mission. This latest project, hoever, is slightly different.

Powered by a naturally-aspirated, air-cooled flat-six engine, the GWR has a power output of 500 horsepower, which gives it a power-to-weight ratio that’s 25% higher than Gunther Werks’ previous 993 reimagining. Other components have also been upgraded, including the suspension which now has a double wishbone design, and the wheelbase was extended by 30 mm.

2024-10-01T05:28:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd