5 Classic Car Upgrades that Define A RestoMod 

#6 might be headlight upgrade, all the 60's and 70's cars and trucks I've owned were not great at night.

On my 63 Falcon Vert I have done all of those things. You should have mentioned chassis stiffening. Now sense in having 400hp and coil overs if your chassis is like butter.

The rear suspensions on A-Body stuff GM produced is pretty decent with the '68-'72 Chevelle and El Camino, also the C10 stuff from most of the '60s. Some of that stuff was the beginning of the 4-links we see today. Nascar uses the panhard bar which C10 has been using for 50+ years.

Man, dude. You are incredibly knowledgeable and easy to understand! I did almost all of the same things to my 66 GTO. Best of luck to you and on all of your projects. Thanks for the info.

Awesome. I’m working on a 1969 Mach 1. Mine is a pro touring. TCI suspension, Wilwood brakes, rack n pinion, hydroboost, coil overs, gen 1 coyote with 6r80. New every thing else. Should be done in a month or so.

Solid list. I couldn't agree more.

My first car was a 1967 Galaxie 500 with the one finger string, it drove excellent at any speed and believe me I drove the car very fast when ever I felt the need for speed (150) ! It drove straight as an arrow at speed! I think the problem young people have with great old car easy steering is they can’t drive

I wrote down everything you mentioned about mid range upgrades. You have really helped me choose the right components for my 67 impala fastback. I hope that I can stay with in my budget. 🙏🏽🇺🇸

Great video exactly what I was looking for, I just got a 65 Chevy and this is gonna be a learning experience for me as I’ve never had any experience with cars in general but Can’t wait to figure out how to do some stuff you mentioned.

Just finished working a 71' ford torino 500, cant wait to take the 351c out and do up the motor and finish some mechanical things such as a newer transmission. Completed the whole body kit and interior but after the motor is all finished i plan on doing the 1-5 on my charger! great video

Great video mate. Very informative.

Great video that was easy to follow. I really appreciate the budget, mid, and money is no object options

Thank you. great info for a beginner.

Excellent information and delivery, my friend. This direct and well supported kind of video is exactly what a car guy wants when he is looking for good advice! Btw, I am restoring a 66 GTO and changed to an IRoc steering box, disc breaks in front, added a sway bar in back, bigger sway bar in front, new poly bushings in everything except body mounts, QA1 coil overs in front and back and QA1 tubular upper control arms in front. I clearly came to the same conclusion as you on most of these improvements!

Perfect! Restoring my 71 Firebird Formula that I have had since the 70's and this is exactly what I wanted to know. No plates for years, in heated garage for a while but runs fine and drives (now and then to blow dust and any possible mice looking for a residency). Restoring with mods for local car cruises and local car shows and eventually, when I am done playing with it, pass it on to my daughter. (I taught her to drive it,4 speed, when she was 15) I was unsure about just how far to take each modification. Your video with categories of the five areas AND the low. mid and high range budget was exactly what I needed to identify exactly what mods I will do. THANKS! Plan on having steps done but I did not realize that each step is generally done by separate shops, paint and body, restomod suspension, interior and engine "shops"AND that it is going to be up to me to sort of coordinate.

I love this channel I have a 66 impala off frame restoration

Good info. 66 Mustang with 347/T5/Painless wiring/Macleod clutch/ Borgeson steering/ 4x disc brakes/ Meyer front suspension / Shelby drop and modern spindles.

Great information! I recently bought a 1970 Nova that im currently doing body repairs and always open to new and good ideas... Thanks for the video and i already clicked like and going to Sub to your channel

awesome video thanks!!!

Great video. Still doing updgrades on a 69 camaro over 22 years.

Great Video! I'm not much of a restomod guy but I do like improving my classic cars. I subscribed.

Thanks so much for your video. I got my dads 73 chevy nova. Drove it for 2 month. Enjoy jt a lot but leaving me stranded made me think has to be a better way to enjoy n keep this car for many years to time. Thought about selling it because I was thinking I may not be able to do it. After seen your video I’m going to keep it fix it enjoy it for many years to come. 🙏🏼

This video is extremely helpful with what I need to do with my classic car. I own my dream classic 79 el camino base, she gots a 350 small block and a th350 transmission. Working on suspension and steering ironically so im glad those 2 were in your list. Thanks again for the video, its very informative and helpful to the max. Take care to you and to everyone who watched this video!!

In the mid-90s, when i was in high school and 1 Gen Mustang were 2500-4000, all day, restomod just meant pulling stock parts for newer stuff. Mostly, it was aesthetics. Lower it, bigger tires, make it fast. Does anyone remember Mustangs Plus? We would all get together and ride out on the hour drive to Stockton. I think i paid 400 for the complete front and rear suspension kit. It may have included the steering to lol.

I’m looking for my first classic car, not a mechanic, learning a lot from your channel, looking at either impala 65-67 or chavelle 69-72, great channel

Nice tips. So changing to tubed arms will change the feel i wondered why people did it. I might try that myself.

Thank you for the video! I have a 66' Fairlane I am going to rebuild. Too many people have content about making a race care however I just want a zippy car that is fun to drive around town. Better suspension and steering are what I was looking for information on.

Great video!!! Thank you.

I actually got some useful info for my '96 f body. Thanks a heep

The production quality of these videos is first class but is overshadowed by the quality of the content. Great information for anyone interested in learning more about classic cars.

excellent advice👍

Amazing video!

Thanks a million for these costless advices...any upcoming videos on exterior/interior body, electrical, tires?♥️🤜🏾🤛🏽

Well Done~

Just watched the video and others. Thanks, great info. Any suggestions on transmission upgrade? Gotta straight 6 250, would like to get rid of the 2 speed power glide.

Very interesting viewing, about to buy my nephew's 66 Mustang. This car has been through a 5yr rebuild from a rolling shell. The engine is about to have a rebuild, unsure if its a 289 or 302, but happy with either. It's got disc brakes front, drums rear. Finding out something new every day about these wonderful old iconic cars. Just waiting to find a 5speed trans then hopefully all systems go. Hope to have it on the road this spring. Its taken so long due to my nephew doing this rebuild as his hobby, whilst running his own busy joinery business. He also has a running mustang convertible, and two other rolling shells from the USA. Regards from the UK.

great video it was really entertaining

Great video. Would like to see one on budget mods such as pertronix, Shelby drop, stiffer sway bar etc... the best bangs for the buck.

I actually like old school power steering. My 73 Javelin had it. I could turn that thing with one pinky effortlessly. I drove it fast too and just didnt have a problem. I knew where the tires were and didnt feel like i needed rack and pinion.

86 k10 got it back from the paint shop in November and no more rust. Which they said was bad. Did a rebuild 350. Deffinietly want to work on the suspension and brakes next, after that front lockers and upgrade the gears in the back.

I want to restomod my 65 impala SS got it about a month ago super excited

Great video! Would have been great to give average cost of those upgrade tiers though...

Working on my 69 Z-28 Camaro, Wilwoods, 454, turbo 400, with Gear Vendors..:) hauls ass!!

Thank you, very useful (Chev ctruck square)

I love this channel. I am doing a restomod on my 68 Mustang and get lots of ideas from these guys and have started documenting my experiences on my channel, Charley's Garage

I will probably subscribe to this but a few pointers you may have missed: #1 while doing steering work on your ride, consider sourcing a collapsible steering column if one is available. #2. Repeat after me, not all classic cars are muscle cara and probably nor should they be... with that in mind super bright brake lights are a must have. #3. LED light conversions can help aging vehicle wiring and charging systems. #4. The front brakes do a majority of the stopping so the budget disc brake conversion would only involve the front axle. #5. Engine swaps are done so much it is passee, but the newest swap people are talking about are EV swaps. Some can be done on a budget and some can't. Bonus #6, Live in an area where classic car parts can be found in a junkyard? We aren't that lucky in my neck of the woods.. Bonus #7, find yourself a mechanic that you trust that has a reputation for working with older cars if you don't have the time or knowledge or other resources to do the work yourself.

Great video. What about anti-locking brake system I haven’t seen an option to add on a classic car ?

Great video thanks 👍 I bypassed the engine and transmission on my 1966 Dodge Charger For now. I did have the transmission serviced. But the steering and suspension and disc brakes made it a new car...😀

"I Love them all, 40's 50's 60's early seventies" *sad miata crying in the back

For brakes just go on ebay and get a used front/rear CTS-V 6pot calipers with rotors set, my cousin got a use set for his 98 camaro z28 on ebay

Realy good Video 👍😎 I wonder if the value in the car going up if that car have a 6 cylinder from factory and put in a v8 instead? Thank you

I'm getting a '60 700 Corvair on Tuesday and I have no idea where to start mechanically. I think I might just try to get everything cleaned up first.

My 64 buick riviera rebuilt 425 nailhead with a mild cam board over 30.. disc brake kit in the front. Drums in the back. 4L60E trans. Custom custom 1-in drop lowering springs. I'm looking for an adjustable panhard bar. Can't seem to find one. Wondering if an adjustable Pinar bar for and Impala will fit without modification to the bracket. Your video is very informative those are the upgrades from your video that I need to do

Hi, you make a great video, well spoken and clear. Thanks! I bought a LS5 matching numbers 454 with original trans, rear end, and motor. Solid but I need to put a trunk, quarters, doors and fenders, so I am doing a full frame off resto. I would like to get some advice of how far to modify the car with out taking away the value. or maybe not do any mods? Thx, Mark.

Very informative video I have a 1968 super sport chevelle big block 468 turbo 400 12 bolt 373. That I have restored from the frame up it has a 1969 chevelle frame with global West front upper an lower tubular arms it does have coils springs from a 77 monte Carlo in it as I don't like lower muscle cars I haven't got to the rear arms yet but plan to the rear coils are also from the Monte which gives this A body a real don't mess with me or else stance the interior is an alternant buick gs 400 deluxe and is rare the exterior color was maroon but I'd now fathom blue with two fat white stripes it also has a full 3 inch stainless exhaust system with metric cut outs this car really turns heads it also has a back story if you would like to read about it let me know I'm very proud an have done 96 percent of all the work. RayStein

Great information, I have a 1960 Catalina, what transmission can I use on it?

I love the smell of the gasoline on the carburator or the squeaky noises in the suspension of my saab 99. So, i will stay classic. Great vídeo btw :)

Hey nick, im working on my 65 impala. I looked up the rack and pinion for it and its around 2k.. i was gonna go with a new quick ratio steering box for.it. but i watched this video and you got me thinking of the rack and pinion option. Im putting in an ls3 connect and cruise. Will the rack and pinion optiin really be that much better than a new steering box?

I have a 69 Impala and the steering sucks, Ill have to look into upgrading the steering. My car was actually sold at yenko Chevrolet,It was green with a black landau top it is a factory four speed and the engine was replaced from a 327 to a 454.It has been painted white with the trademark Yenko stripe, Its seems to be at the mechanic more that it is with me, esp with supply parts being scarce due to covid-19. But when I do get to drive her there is nothing like it, Just an absolute blast.

Thank you, you are professional, if we swap to a new engine as you advised, what about the ABS system ??

71 malibu convertible. Quick ratio power steering box (Pontiac as I recall). Eibach springs, Koni shocks, Hotchkiss tubular A arms, Edelbrock boxed trailing arms, offset A arm mounts, biggest sway bars available, metal and urethane bushings everywhere, 15x12 weld draglites w/ p395/60R 15's on all 4 corners. TCI TH400 w/ cooler, 2400 stall converter. 489CID big block, 688 hp on pump gas. 10.28:1 compression. World heads, biggest valves, offy IR intake, twin 1150's, true roller valvetrain. Wilwood disc brakes at all four corners. But it's not really a restomod. the nose was replaced with twin nascar radiators. the hood was replaced with a 6" snorkel flanked by twin L88 scoops. 6" fender flares on all 4 corners. front air dam, side skirts, and a F40 wing on the back.

have a 66 mustang that i currently am doing front disk conversion on, as well as trying to get the car to handle better

I'm putting a 69 351W that will be converted to a roller with Holley FI into my 68 Cougar. At least 400/400 to the rear wheels.

Hi, nice video, good advice. I have a 65 Skylark with a 73 350/TH350. Do you think there is value in swapping to a ‘73 455 and TH400 or should I swap to something more modern? Have done linkage bearings and disc brakes all around.. want to do steering and a arms along the way.

Wow that took some fast talking to get all that in LOL !!!!! But I like your picks, sounds good, definitely breaks !!!! number one !!!! they sucked from the factory so whether you did anything else or not brakes number one !!!

I have a 66 mustang with a 6.0 lq4 💯

I have an 1980 C3 Corvette can you do a restomod on that since it is kind of newer but could use some modernization

I hope this isn’t too much to ask for but can you make a list for a specific build? I could use some help.

Random question - what is the music you used at the beginning the vid? (I liked it)

I've had a 1968 Chevy II 100 in my garage for about 9 years. It not the original engine or color. I pretty much bought someone else's project car. It came with a 283 and fake SS badging. This year I started the disassembly with a goal of having all the body work done and primered by the end of the year. My goal was to build a 1968 COPO Nova with matching 396 big block. After some serious time on the toilet and talking with my buddies, I'm no closer to deciding on the engine. There are alot of drawbacks to putting a big block in so now I am leaning towards the 350 small block which would make my build a 1968 Chevy II 400 Nova SS since the 1968 COPO was only built with a 396. Since it's not a numbers matching car and more of a personal build, would it matter if the COPO was more rare? Whatever I build it will always only be a restomod since it isn't a numbers matching car. Me building my own COPO won't make it a COPO. So I'm basing the engine build on car use. I intend to drive this car on city streets. I only need the big block for serious racing applications. I plan on being in the 350-500 hp range depending on components. If anything, your video has thrown the LS platform into the mix. I will get all around better performance from an LS swap but I will lose that classic car look that really drops jaws when people look under the hood. What to do.... What to do....

I just got a 1947 DESOTO CUSTOM and I really need some advice on stuff like this. I'm not a car person at all, so videos like this help a lot. If any one could offer advice or suggest any good forums for stuff like this, I'd greatly appreciate. I'm having a terribly difficult time finding any good info on this car.

Have a 1999 Jaguar XJ8 looking to update that bad boy

I have a 68 Camaro that's been in my dad's yard for 20 years it needs full restore I want to do a full frame off restoration and upgrade the vehicle with new modern parts as a restomod minitubbs and 4 link procharged ls engine with 4l60 trans and full front sub frame chassis brakes steering suspension rebuild

What happened to the 62 Convertible ?

I feel like I have a different perception of restomod because I feel that stuff like steering and brakes upgrades aren’t really restomod. I kinda see it as like fuel injections or engine swaps with modern engines (such as LS swaps and stuff). But idk that’s just me. I do have a 65 Chevelle with a crate engine but it’s still a carbureted engine so I wouldn’t consider it restomod. But that’s my opinion

Awesome! If you look at my video on my page, I’ve got a 68 Dodge Dart, ( 3000 lbs ) with a stroker smallblock, Sniper EFI , Baffled fuel tank , ProStar Wheels , frame connectors and 3.91 suregrip with the 8 3/4 rear. Superstock Springs but I’m planning on Caltraks in the near future. 500 horse, 500 lbs tq in a 3000 lb car. It’s a blast. I’d like to go with an AOD but for Mopar, that’s a little harder

The 6 who gave this a thumbs down must have something against useful information. Great video

I consider my Chevelle a restomod even though it has the stock suspension and steering. It rides smooth and steers just fine..

Dude, I want to restomod my 71 mach I, I'm in Colorado tho..., would love for you to be the guy, any thoughts?

Thoughts on LS swapping a 67-68 mustang?

Does anyone know any good books or resources with detailed information on how to resto mod a 67 fastback? I’m not that experienced with cars but would love to restore a fastback someday, I’m just light years behind most of these you tubers when it comes to car knowledge. I plan on dipping my toes into restoring my 95 wrangler pretty soon to gain some knowledge before I go to a mustang.

Hi, thanks for your useful video I have an idea and I need your comment, I wanna buy a lincoln continental 1979 and a lincoln navigator 2022. What I wanna do is, unassemble all the parts of navigator and install it on continental, if I wanna explain with more details I wanna replace engine, gearbox, electronic systems, airbags in lincoln continental! Could you explain me which step will be the most challenging part?

EFI... unless there's other issues with your current engine that is bandaided by a tuned carb. I get it... that's not what you're talking about here but yeah.

In the spring my daughter and I start working on her corvier . Driveability , dependability, safety and looks. (not to sexy)lol

68 dodge polara 4 door

Hi there, non car guy here(not yet atleast) step father in law gave me a 69' valiant for free and I wanna start fixing it up, it runs but needs suspension work done and I wanna learn how, i know it needs co trol arms and ball joints, really everything, where can I find parts to fit with it being an old car?

I am uprgrading a 454ss ck Silverado 1990 truck 454lsx and 4l80 with moser 9 And strange and wilwood brakes and hydroboost and 4 link suspension and rack and pinion and qa1 front control arms with also wilwood spindle the problem here what i see if when i wanted too sell it nobody wants too pay all tha parts 😩 hope I never had money starvation that makes me sell it love my truck

i got a matching number hi po 289. want to make it as fast and clean as i can.

Shame my 1965 MK10 Jaguar has almost no aftermarket or modded options, even just finding used original parts is a hassle

I prefer Anti-lock brakes.

Any one selling a good transmission for a 69 chevy nova

I wanna swap my 76 duster into a 4 or 5 speed manual but its not really worth it. 5k+ on a 318 duster seems pointless

67 Impalas were the first with factory front disc brakes not 66.

No wheels?

Electric swap is the new trend now.

Brakes last? It should be the first thing or second thing to talk about. You spend all that money and don't have enough for brakes. LOL.

With all due respect , if I followed your advise there wouldn't be anything left of my classic car .

I have watched your video a dozen times great job. I am going down the same path on my 68 camaro. Any recommendations or lessons learned i should take away from a build that you have done or seen? If you want to see my progress thus far i can be found on instagram @ rustysigns_

I'm gonna be honest, I didn't understand most of what was said here.

Lose those wagon wheels! Don't pimp classic cars!