Charles Darwin formulated it in the 19th century. Individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their genetic characteristics to future generations. Like all living species, the automobile is in a perpetual state of transformation, undergoing both morphological and genetic changes over time and generations. This is the theory of evolution.
Singer, Totem Automobili, Redux Leichtbau, Nardone, Kimera and Gunther Werks are all artisans of this form of progress, and apply this precept of mutation to the automobile. [The neologism made by the fusion of “restoration” and “modification” editor’s note] “restomod” is a fascinating combination of the timeless charm of classic lines and modern performance. The slogan of legendary survivalist Bear Grylls is perhaps the most appropriate to define this movement: “Improvise, adapt, overcome”.
Restomod has become a major trend in the automotive industry in recent years, with the most iconic models being re-imagined to suit our complex contemporary environment. From the fantastic Alfa Romeo Giulia to the indispensable G-Class, there’s something for everyone.
Part 1: Blasphemy?
The growing popularity of these neo-retro cars is the result of a perfect blend of nostalgia and technology. But doesn’t the soul of a classic car lie in the emotion and constant excitement of our senses? To set foot in an Audi 100 or BMW E36 is to be infatuated for life with an inimitable smell that takes us straight back to the 80s and 90s. A sensory time capsule that nothing new can replace.
Driving pleasure also means getting to grips with the machine’s shortcomings, taming them to the point of indescribable satisfaction. Riding hard in a classic is a skill. That blessed moment, knife between the teeth, when the slightest overconfidence leads directly to a tragic differential locking. Heel-toe and double clutch are mandatory. Man and machine at its finest.
On paper, the ultimate goal of a restomod is to deliver an unrivalled driving experience. Performance is often far superior to that of the original model, but too much can sometimes be the enemy of good.
“The growing popularity of these neo-retro cars is the result of a perfect blend of nostalgia and technology.”
Part 2: Evolution.
However, these road-going cyborgs allow lovers of beautiful lines to live out their passion while enjoying the benefits of cutting-edge technology. Whether for the road or the track, restomod cars embody the best of both worlds, offering a harmonious marriage of nostalgia and innovation. They adapt to a modern road environment, with stricter safety standards and evolving standards of comfort and performance. You can’t help but admire the immense engineering effort and attention to detail that goes into every project.
Riding a restomod is a declaration of love to the car. To what it represents; to a pure, timeless aesthetic. It’s the desire to ride differently and be one of the last of the Mohicans.
Just as species evolve to adapt to their environment, classic cars evolve to survive today’s stringent environmental regulations. This perfect fusion of past and present is not just a « Madeleine de Proust », but perhaps the quintessential automobile. A bright future, an unexpected breath of fresh air in this ocean of plastic batteries and gloomy SUVs, for those of us with a passion for beautiful machines.
If restomods can keep the golden age of design alive, we can’t help but embrace this new mechanical vision.
Make the automobile great again.
Thanks to Matteo Gentile for sharing his illustrations with us.
