You see so many cars RestoModded these days - some good builds but most lack imagination. Crate motor, Tremec tranny, custom paint….blah blah. There have been some Oldsmobile cars that I have owned that were borderline RestMod candidates. But I decided to go the longer and more expensive route and bring them back to life as 100 % stock. I think my next restoration will be a RestoMod. Definitely an Oldsmobile. Maybe a early 60’s car. Obviously the availability of aftermarket parts is what makes the possibility of a true Oldsmobile RestoMod a difficult proposition.

If your dream was to RestoMod an Oldsmobile, any Oldsmobile, which model would it be ? It would have to be an Oldsmobile drivetrain - what’s your choice ? 260, 330, 403, 425, 455…etc. ? Auto or clutch ? Assume you found a lifetime desert Olds body - rust free with no drivetrain. Ragtop or Hardtop ? Colors for exterior and interior ? Bench, buckets…

What motors can you get a blower for ? Wildwood brakes ? What wheels and tires ?

Build your car - top to bottom.

Budget is an imaginary $150k all in.

 

I would love to build a early 80s B body with a turbo 455. Of course it would have to have 9C1 cop car suspension upgrades, 4L80, and absolutely have to keep the A/C and other comforts fully functional. It would also have to have the “couch” seats, with that awesome 80s upholstery. Some minor body modifications, nothing major.

I guess that dream would better fit the “sleeper” definition.

I don’t care for most restomods. I don’t like the look of cars slammed on the ground, huge wagon wheel rims with rubber bands tires. If a car can’t drive on a typical city street without dragging the exhaust, it’s not practical.

If a restomod looks basically stock, or maybe has some “day 2” modifications but performs far beyond its original capabilities, while doing everything the car was expected to do when new, then it’s a winner.

 

You know what's already been done to death. Don't do that. Strope did a really nice 64.

 

I'll go for a blue 1979 Calais with the 260 Olds motor, but with a 3:08 Posi, 200R4 transmission. Add in a 1979 Hurst/Style dual exhaust. Aluminum radiator and water pump.

Stock SS3 wheels. For the interior, I'd add the following: Wastepaper basket, tilt steering wheel, pulse wipers, analog clock, Delco AM/FM/Cassette radio but with a Tune Trapper hidden antenna to replace the in glass antenna, 4 upgraded 10 OHM speakers by Turnswitch.com, and Delco add in CB radio set up.

Throw in a modern R134 A/C set up by Original Air and it's all done. In fact it's been done for a few years now, nothing left to do but drive it, which is the plan until I croak.

 

I've always been partial to the '71-'72 A-body cars and loving how my '72 442 convertible resto-mod is turning out. I didn't get crazy with oversized wheels, but went with some 18" SSI style aluminum rims to allow larger Vette disc brakes to be installed but stay somewhat true to the original look. I stayed with an Olds small block for the motor but stroked the crank for more cubic inches and mated it to a TH200-4r overdrive transmission. Most of the mods are either safety related or creature comforts; upgraded front suspension for better handling, 3-point seat belts, BMW bucket seats from an M3 convertible, one-touch modern power windows & door locks, multi-channel sound system, etc. It's still in paint jail but coming home soon.
Rodney

 

I modified mine to duplicate the historic Rund race car when I restored it, and it has been in OCA Senior Preservation for 11 years.

 

I would build a 65 Cutlass with a 350 olds with a torquestorm supercharger and ac. For a trans I would go with the tremec tko trans and a 3:55 gear in the rear. It would be lowered a couple of inches with an adjustable suspension. It would have a factory appearing interior with a focus on sound deadening. I would add side bolstering to stock front buckets. I would keep factory 15” ss2 wheels.