All the beauty and mystique; none of the worn-out, decaying mechanicals and materials. That, plus modernized and reliable engine components and technology, is what resto-mods are all about. Not all of these vehicles originated in America, but they’ve all been given new life on our shores. That’s why we chose these four to represent our love for the updated classic vehicle, from rugged sports car to off-roader. Any one (or more) of these is always welcome in our garage.
The Keen Project Safari
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Photo: East Coast Defender
Handbuilt in Florida, Land Rover Defender 90s and 110s restored by ECD are modern yet faithful interpretations of properly classic 25-year-old English overlanders. There are three gasoline V8 engine options from which to choose, with a future diesel engine possible. A full-on build will run at least $170,000; from complete strip-down to customer delivery can take up to 12 months and around 1,000 hours of work; there are multiple exhaustive 220-point inspections and 500- to 1,000-mile safety and quality-control test drives along the very meticulous way. One year to achieve legendary on- and off-road status? Worth the wait.
Build Details
Engine: 4.0-liter, 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8
Horsepower: 190, 326 or 430
Torque: 236, 340 or 400 lb-ft
Transmission: six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Estimated cost: $170,000+
ICON BR
Photo: Icon
ICON owner Jonathan Ward’s mission: “reviving industrial design priorities in transportation design — a marriage of vintage aesthetic with modern drivability.” He’s been in the business of reimagining classic vehicles for decades; this Bronco is just one of the many handbuilt, “no-compromise” projects his shop has magicked over the years, including FJs, e-bikes, Chevy pickups and upcoming projects, like a concept based on a 1963 Ferrari 250GTE — using 98 percent U.S.-made components. Completed projects are minimalist in that there is no detectable extraneousness; spec lists are miles long, and every last bespoke bit is utterly gorgeous.
Build Details
Engine: 5.0-liter V8
Horsepower: 426
Torque: 402 lb-ft
Transmission: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
Estimated cost: $190,000 – $230,000