The Ringbrothers '48 Cadillac - Madam V

[nissangirl74]

The Ringbrothers debuted their newest creation at SEMA this year, a hybrid Cadillac ATS and a 1948 Coupe. This thing is gorgeous.

How do you feel about RestoMods? Personally, I go back and forth. We have classic cars with modern engines and classic cars that are all original. There's something very cool about getting in a 40+ year old car that cranks every time you get in it and goes down the road with no issue. However, there's also something to be said for the dependability of modern technology (especially when that means you don't have to make modifications to your carbs when climbing elevation). I love driving Bella because the RB doesn't have to be adjusted. I can go up to the Canyon (7,000+ feet) with no issues. The classics all have to be adjusted by the time we hit Flagstaff because they just can't breathe, and they don't like to crank when it's cold.


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http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/s ... lac-ats-v/

[float_6969]

That is GORGEOUS! And as far as resto-mods go, I'm all about them. If I ever end up restoring an old car, there's no doubt in my mind it's getting a modern power plant and transmission. I would likely modernize the suspension and electronics as well. The charm of an old vehicle lies in it's styling. The rest of them are kind of s***, IMHO. So why wouldn't you update it and have the best of both worlds?

[Buzzman]

So why wouldn't you update it and have the best of both worlds?

All comes down to your ultimate goal.
If you want a daily driver that's safe and reliable, then putting modern running gear in a classic is the right decision.
However, if collect-ability, and long term return on investment is the goal, then going with an original stock restoration, complete with all the correct nuts and bolts, is the way to go.
These restorations back to stock condition tend to be none drivers. They mostly end up in a garage or a museum.
The thing too is though, once to tear into something like say, a Pontiac GTO, or a Camaro, and modernize it, then that's one less original classic car still in existence.
There are only so many of them out there, and, as the saying goes, they are only original once.
Personally, I'd like to have some of both, if I won a lottery.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I love restomods. Of course, I love a well-done original restoration (or non-restoration) at least as much, but there's plenty of room for different approaches to classics. Tasteful restomods let an owner add their own touches along with modern improvements without losing the essence of the original design. Which is half the fun of owning a car: pouring yourself into an existing masterpiece to create something that's more than the sum of both.