BUILD VS BUY a RestoMod: Which is Better? 

If you build you know what you have. If you buy, your at the mercy of the mindset of the builder and how frugal he was.

I'm in the process of having my 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne LS swapped , on my way to full resto mod and I can tell you it's definitely cheaper to buy than build.

I like to buy, and modify to my liking if I can. I like the solid base, and with most of the expensive stuff already completed.

skill, know-how..and a decent garage. such a great hobby I wish i would have gotten into when i was younger. such a rewarding experience and you'll learn something every time you work

i have no clue what im doing but i decided to build on my own cus ive never had a shop not screw something up when working on one of my cars. one shop broke my radio and ripped up the tailing harness while replacing the clutch, another shop striped forgot to put the front drivers side brake pads back in and put directional tread tires on the wrong way and left a open bottle of brake cleaner on it side in my back seat. there's no way I'm trusting a shop to all the stuff i want done on my project car

I am building a 1968 Chevy II Nova restomod. I didn't know anything about cars when I started. When deciding to build, reading and learning is a must. If you're unable to learn what it takes to build a car, then go ahead and buy. It's cheaper to build if you do all the work. If you are paying labor costs, then you aren't really building. I am paying for the things I am unable to do like media blasting the car and dyno tuning. Learn how to do the body work! It will save you so much money. I am slowly buying the things I need and I'm giving myself plenty of time to get it done. There's a joy in building a car. If you don't get any satisfaction from problem solving, then you really should buy...

Trust me! I own 2 classic cars and buying a car that has already been restored is way cheaper than restoring it yourself. If you are a mechanic, that’s a d/f story. Otherwise a decent frame off restoration starts at 60k-100k depending on how bad it was such as rust and bent frame work. That takes thousands of hours not to mention new parts..But that doesn’t mean the car will be worth 60k or 100k after you’re done restoring it. Take advantage of someone else’s investment and buy a restored one.

We need all three. The builders, buyers, and sellers.

I have the skills and mechanical aptitude for a build but I would prefer bought now. I want a daily driver that I can start enjoying now. If I were to build it would take me a long time because I can only work on it on the weekends and that would take away time spent with my wife and newborn, which is far more valuable to me now that I'm almost 40.

Would had loved to see this car out in the sun!

Inspecting a car in person is probably the best way to make sure you’re getting what you paid for.

Some folks think that just because they can buy parts and install them, they've built a custom car that's equivalent to any other sum of the same parts. That's like someone buying a canvas, brushes, and paint, putting paint on canvas and thinking is equal to all other paintings. A renown painter does the same after all...

I would like to build but my skills aren’t that great. We used to get the Chiltons mechanic book for the cars we got and went from there. Good times as a kid with my brother and our friends. Looking for a project car for me and my two boys two work on when they get a little older.

I try to buy cars that have been painted and have a solid body, hands on inspection is key. My last 2 builds were finished cars, sold the components I didn't need for the build to help fund the finished product. If you have some skill and time, you can build the car you want for a reasonable price.

RM 16 is a stunner. Good video guys!

Another Awesome job Chis kudos man 😘👍

Restro mod love them

Nah just get a Chis 🤩🥰👍😎this is all ya need

I’ve done both. It’s MUCH cheaper to build, but for myself, mine have to be bought now after an accident that prevents me from building

Hey guy’s, For myself I am leaning towards the “Buy if Version”, with a max price to purchase compared to the “build it” version. My wife and I have a 73’ Corvette Stingray that sat in our carport for 20 + years and then decided 6+ years ago to restore and slightly do a RestoMods upgraded version and then it gets put on hold due to life changing circumstances. My dad on the other hand went the other version of purchasing a 47’ mostly original but in good overall shape 2 door coupe for $8K to adding $25K+ into it to get what he wants! It’s all about what appeals to each person and how much their willing to spend. I also have a 2000’ Silverado 4x4 Ext Cab RestoMod/ Restore and added a lot of extras to upgrade the 6.0Liters internals, headers, cold air intake, all new motor gaskets, timing chain, wiring, suspension upgrades, fuel pump, driveshaft ujoints, all 4 rotors with new brakes and new paint and I don’t have to pay of a ridiculous price for a new truck. Thanks guy’s for what you do!

Before I watch I'll say build, let's see if I change my mind!

Nope I didn't change my mind, the building is the fun part! I'm passionate about muscle cars! Grease 🐒

And with building it, you can work on it as you can afford rather than one lump sum

Love that RM16 1970 Camaro. I have been building one but still tried to win that one. Beautiful. Have tried to win the others that followed as well. Nice work.

I've had a few classic cars before they were classics. The one I miss most was a 1965 Ford Galaxy 500. I paid $75.00 for it when I was 17 sites unseen. I washed it and it looked like a new car. The only thing I had to do was replace the front trans seal. A year later I sold it for $500.00 and I have regrated it since. That was in 1974. But I say Build is always better because you know what's in it.

what is your intake putting a hennessey motor in 1969 Chevy Camaro

Well I love 💕 this car 2

My dream is to build a 1969 Chevy Camaro. So I prefer to build from ground up and it will be a nice Hobby

For instance.. I'm entered to win that 69 Chevelle. It's beautiful and amazing. Where is it not my "perfect fit"? I'd like a muscle car that could be an every day driver. So that 1000hp while sexy as hell and winning that I'll sure brag about how bad ass it is. I would have loved it at about 600-650hp wheel. Without the roll cage so I could have better use of the back seat plus choose a more comfy seat for long driving. And while I'll indulge a bit. I'd be more driving it to cruise. I dig that 6 speed though. I wouldn't choose the 100k over that car because that 69 really is a special car. Plus I wouldn't De-Tune it. I'd leave it as is and get a full rundown of how to properly take care of her to keep it in great shape for years to come.

My car is also a 1970 Camaro RS. If you have the time and tools, build is cheaper. If you want it now and have the funds, buy it. If you have plenty of funds and can wait a couple years, pay someone to build it. My car took 15 years to finish. During that time, I acquired a lot of tools, learned how to weld, plasma cut, fabricate and so forth. My car was bought before it was impossible to get a piece of rusted crap for less than $12K so I had a head start there. I have about $30-35K total in the car from when I bought it in 1987 and that includes engines, transmissions etc along the way and it is probably worth $50-60K. Once you start building something custom, everything becomes custom but I can fix/repair anything that goes wrong with the car. Rich people just drop it off for someone else to figure out. I do not have a custom interior, $12K paint job, LS motor or modern transmission though, yet. I do have a 3 link, mini tub, 275 front and 335 rear tires, Wilwood brakes, 8 point cage, subframe connectors and some other stuff this car does not have.

How funny that things have changed. Chris was adamant that the GEN two Camaro was garbage and would never do one 68 or 69 only. What has changed did Chris changes velocities or was he just talking crap back in the day

Whew, what a beaut

Another thing you didn't mention is the car you are going to build. You might be passionate about a particular car that really has no value even if it is done perfectly.

I'm surprised you didn't advise the buy it people to take it to a skilled and reputable mechanic and body shop to go over the car. It will cost you some bucks but save you the grief of buying a cosmetically beautiful car that has some major problems. Also there is a wide range of restomods. I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a recent job with modern brake, suspension, transmission, cooling, steering, and pristine chrome, bright work, and paint. Unless your budget will only handle a 10' driver you could be spending thousands on a car that is being presented as a modern running classic.

Yeaaaaah.... I'm winning RM16 and the plate will read RM16. I know, I know wishful thinking. But hey a guy can dream can't he?...lol