Is that possible? A phenomenon called "Restomod"
12/16/2016
It is, of course, a trend that is particularly at home in the USA. And is spilling over to us from there. People are talking about "restomod". The word is a combination of restoration and modification. It refers to the approach of upgrading an old car with modern parts in such a way that it still partially looks like the original, but is cheaper to maintain thanks to modern technology and is faster and safer to drive on the road.
Some examples will go under the hammer at Mecum's upcoming Kissimmee auctionin the new year. We would like to briefly mention two here.
One is the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2, a rare model with the split rear window (pictured above). Under the hood is a new GM LS3 engine with 525 hp, with a Tremec five-speed gearbox. The suspensions come from the Corvette C5 and C6, the disc brakes (which were not yet available on the 1963 Corvette) and the 18- and 19-inch wheels also reveal the new technology from the outside. Incidentally, the restomodded Corvette is offered for USD 350,000 to 450,000.
The 1961 Chevrolet Impala station wagon is somewhat less sporty in origin, but hardly less extreme. A V8 engine with 473 ci transmits its power to the rear axle via a Tremec five-speed gearbox. Both the bodywork and the chassis were extensively modified, and even the appearance of the car has little to do with the original. It is now valued at USD 300,000 to 375,000.
In terms of registration, these two cars would certainly be difficult cases in this country. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether it is right to sacrifice valuable original substance for such a modification. I myself like the original C2 and would certainly never think of modifying it in this way. It is simply too attractive for that.
