Modifying retro cars

[Chris71]

Is it just me or is modifying old cars somehow more acceptable than contemporary ones? I'm not talking about hacking apart vintage Bentleys to make replica blowers or GTO-a-likes from 'lesser' 1960s Ferraris, but more humble stuff.

I'd love a Dolomite Sprint with some modern coilovers, bucket seats and a set of Minilites, for example, or an Opel Manta with wide arches and some engine work. I even rather like the supercharged Metro in SoTW.

For some reason I wouldn't consider doing this to a current production car. Somehow that would be 'boy racer' and a bit crass, but absolutely anything vaguely performance-orientated you do to a 1980s Mini, say, is fine by me.

What do other people reckon - do modified cars become more acceptable as they age? I guess no one buys a 20 year old car as a status symbol, so maybe the inference is you're a genuine enthusiast doing it to an old (and sometimes outwardly uncool) car, rather than a poser?

[alolympic]

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

[Chris71]

I really don't know what it is, but I also quite fancy the idea of a retro-modified Volvo 360 or 340. Maybe I need a lie down...

[vixen1700]

This is the thread you need to see in the Classic car section on here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some stunners on there.

Edited by vixen1700 on Friday 21st January 12:23

[Engineer1]

I think its because modifying an older car you are generally modernising it, you add electronic ignition modern suspension, decent stereo etc.

[Chris71]

vixen1700 said:

This is the thread you need to see in the Classic car section on here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some stunners on there.

This looks like a bit of a monster.



Loads of fantastic cars on that thread.

[Choppers]

I love modified retro cars, I'm just not sure at what point they go from being boy racer cars to cool retro rides ? I've got a supercharged mk2 golf (not a G60) which I think unfortunately is still seen as boy racerish, but is hopefully becomning retro. A couple of weeks ago I also saw a modified Nova & some how thought it looked kind of cool - I think I also need help !!

[J4CKO]

I lurk on Retro Rides as well, great site, some of the work on there is inspirational, cars you would never think would be saved are turned around from scrap to minter, the welding alone on some of them is astounding and a lot are guys on a really tight budget.

It has redefined my opinion of what is possible for amateurs as a lot of the work puts pro's into the shade.

[jimmyjam]

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

I love that. Whats on the roof?

[wackojacko]

Retro rides is an awesome mag that features epic motors, my favourite has be to the Datsun 280Z they featured recently (it's on last page of the "rat-look" thread")

[B'stard Child]

jimmyjam said:

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

I love that. Whats on the roof?

Pictures of record album covers

It's a lovely take on a Vinyl Roof

[300bhp/ton]

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

WOW!!!

That is fantastic! Love it

[tinman0]

Chris71 said:

I'd love a Dolomite Sprint with some modern coilovers, bucket seats and a set of Minilites, for example, or an Opel Manta with wide arches and some engine work. I even rather like the supercharged Metro in SoTW.

I kinda feel it's a bit like that sticker "A dog is for life, not just Christmas".

If you take an old car and modify it, you need to think about owning it for the rest of it's life because if it falls into anyone elses hands it'll never be looked after like you did. And enthusiasts for old cars tend to want something original. So when you come to dispose of whatever you built, the number of buyers becomes really quite limited.

But if you intend to keep the car, why not improve on it, and do the things you want to it?

(And before anyone berates me, I've seen this with modified Mk2 Golfs. The original owner spent money, and showered the car with love, and then they sell it, and the next owner probably doesn't care so much when a bit of trim falls off, or a bit of paint bubbles, or it gets a door ding, an alloy gets whacked, and before you know it, the vehicle looks tatty.)

[jimmyjam]

B'stard Child said:

jimmyjam said:

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

I love that. Whats on the roof?

Pictures of record album covers

It's a lovely take on a Vinyl Roof

Thats different and potentially cool...... depending on the album covers!! More info and pics please

[maniac0796]

I want a Mk4 Cortina

But then I'll find a way to shoehorn a big supercharged V8 in there, and put some appropriate rims on it.

[alolympic]

jimmyjam said:

B'stard Child said:

jimmyjam said:

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

I love that. Whats on the roof?

Pictures of record album covers

It's a lovely take on a Vinyl Roof

Thats different and potentially cool...... depending on the album covers!! More info and pics please

Glad it is 'potentially' cool.
As B*Stard Child said (hello mate by the way!) About 300 of my favourite albums - can't guarantee my taste is shared but it normally sparks opinion

[2 Wycked]

alolympic said:

Mmm, you're probably right, but only because I am biased. I own a Clio 182 - unmodified, but 2 modified classics, including this -

I think you need to get over to http://retrorides.proboards.com and get going.....

Saw this at RR Show 2010. Absolutely lovely motor.

Are you planning on going again this year?

[y282]

retro rides is a good site.

that triumph is beautiful btw, reminds me of my english white 1300tc i had to scrap years ago

it'll be my desktop pic when i take down the one i just gor of a fox sniffing a daffodil!

[Xavier259]

I'll take this opportunity to repost this pic (shamelessly nicked from another thread)



Yes please!

[OlberJ]

alolympic said:

Glad it is 'potentially' cool.
As B*Stard Child said (hello mate by the way!) About 300 of my favourite albums - can't guarantee my taste is shared but it normally sparks opinion

Rick Astley, Madonna and VengaBoys?

Sir, i doff my cap.