If you are looking to a car restoration, you are far from being alone. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association, the auto restoration industry in 2014 generated approximately $1.4 billion in retail parts sales, a figure that does not include the revenue generated from sales of collector cars. This market is growing at an extremely rapid rate and will likely continue to grow, especially after the economy recovers and as new car models are manufactured and sold.
Top Car Restoration Trends For Your Vehicle
Before beginning a restoration, it is important for you to make certain decisions and establish your objectives for the project. First, you should decide what level of restoration you are seeking (street show, concours, show car, etc.) and set a budget. Then, you should ensure that you have all the tools necessary to complete the restoration (impact wrench, air compressor, grinding wheel, etc.). If you are unsure about what to do for your restoration, here are five popular trends to consider.
Out With The Really Old
Nowadays, many car owners are abandoning older models, such as vehicles from the 1930s, in favor of newer options. One of the main reasons for this trend is that most of these older cars (e.g. Cadillac 16, Buick Roadster, etc.) have already been restored to many different conditions. A more unique project to try may involve restoring a 1980s Mercedes-Benz or an early 1990s Mazda RX-7. It will likely be less difficult to find parts that are similar to those that belong to these types of vehicles than it would be to locate parts for older models.
More Restomods
An increasing number of auto enthusiasts are not only moving away from older cars, but are also leaning toward restomods. These are restorations that incorporate modern technology to improve a vehicle’s performance. A restomod thus combines a classic look and contemporary functionality and can ultimately represent an investment with a high return. If you intend to drive your car every day, a restomod may likely be an ideal project to pursue.
More Choices
More than half-a-century ago, vehicle restoration enthusiasts had very limited options for parts. Today, there are significantly more manufacturers to choose from and more sophisticated parts and accessories on the market. However, it’s always important to make sure that the parts you wish to use are a strong match for your car. A custom auto body shop can offer you recommendations for which types of parts are easiest to find and which ones you should avoid because they are too expensive (or for any other reason).
Later Model Restorations
It has become increasingly popular to restore cars from recent decades (i.e. the 70s, 80s, and 90s). These vehicles contain many different types of appealing parts, and several of today’s cars bear striking similarities to automobiles from these time periods, in a general sense. Many so-called “supercars” of the 1990s became especially known for their high-performance levels. If you own a car from any of these decades, you can try restoring parts such as the frame, the wheels, and the headlights.
Fewer Backyard Restorations
Although for years it was popular to perform car restorations in your own backyard or your garage, this is no longer commonplace. Today, many people prefer to take their vehicles to custom auto body shops in order to receive assistance for restoration projects. As with any other type of endeavor, a professional opinion is always valuable. This is one of the reasons why so many body shops are unveiling a growing number of restored vehicles.
Contact The Car Restoration Expert
Reach out to the professionals at Robs Customs & Restorations in Manassas, Virginia for more information on the most popular car restoration trends. At Robs, we understand that vehicle restoration is not simply a hobby but a way of life. Therefore, we will always make sure that a restoration project meets a driver’s needs and reflects his/her unique lifestyle.
The team at Robs has experience working with nearly all types of automobiles, including classic cars, vintage vehicles, antique automobiles, and muscle cars. Our restoration process always begins with a frame alignment, as this is key to ensuring that a vehicle can circulate smoothly on the road. We can then restore the interior of your car, including the dashboard, seats, and center console if necessary. We also provide custom paint jobs and rust repair and can perform four different types of engine swaps: LS, fuel-injected, Coyote, and Hemi swaps.
Call Robs Customs & Restorations today at (703) 552-5001 or contact us online for a free estimate on your restoration.