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HomeMediaResto-mod classics featured at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach sale

Resto-mod classics featured at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach sale

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Barrett-Jackson has long been on the forefront of resto-mod cars and trucks, which have become mainstays among car collectors who like to take their cars out and drive them. Resto-mods still have the look of classics, but behind the sheet metal, they have been updated with modern powertrains, suspensions, steering and brakes.

For street rodders and custom car builders, this is the old trick for making vehicles more drivable and less breakable. But only in recent years have resto-mods generally been accepted by the collector car community, particularly with younger drivers who like the looks of the oldies but don’t want to put up with their old-school needs.

“The genesis behind resto-mods is simple: Vintage cars of any kind from the 1950s and ʼ60s are fun to look at and collect, but in terms of driving, not so much,” according to a Barrett-Jackson news release. “Old cars, even those that have been well-maintained, often show their age when you get behind the wheel.

“Resto-mods, on the other hand, take relatively stock bodies and add modern replacement chassis, high-horsepower engines, and sophisticated suspension and braking systems, preserving the classic look but adding much-needed modern performance, reliability and amenities.”

Barrett-Jackson
This ’57 Chevy Bel Air is a resto-mod auction highlight

Barrett-Jackson’s auction in Palm Beach, Florida, that takes place April 11-13 will have a number of resto-mods among its array of classics, customs, imports and exotics, including those from the 16-car collection of William “Chip” Watkins, who shows his appreciation of well-crafted resto-mods.

Watkins said he became a believer in updating his classics because he enjoys driving then on a regular basis.  He also acknowledges that he came around to the concept as resto-mods caught on with younger collectors.

“I had a bunch of collector cars, and my problem was I liked to drive them every now and then,” Watkins said. “And those older cars just break, so the Resto-Mod was kind of an answer for a younger generation of enthusiasts.

“I like the ones that look relatively stock, with the resto-mod motor, frame, suspension and those types of things while keeping them looking original. You get in those things and you just turn the key like you are going to work every day. You don’t ever think about your car not starting.

“And as far as everyone else knows, it’s a 1964 Corvette or a ’58 Corvette or a ’70 Camaro, whatever it is.”

Among the resto-mods from Watkins’ collection going to auction  are:

Barrett-Jackson 1958 Chevrolet Corvette – The subject of a “two-year, no-expense-spared custom build,” the classic convertible rides on a custom frame with more-modern Corvette C4 polished suspension with coilovers, power disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors, and power rack-and-pinion steering.

Power comes from a GM Performance LS-series crate engine linked with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission and Dana rear end.  The body gleams with PPG Hues Dark Gray Metallic paint with contrasting silver coves and a custom hardtop. The interior has been redone in red leather.  The Corvette stands on EVOD billet aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot sport tires.

Barrett-Jackson 1970 Chevrolet Camaro – Aside from the Porsche Guards Red paint, this coupe retains its stock look while roaring with a GM Connect & Cruise 525 horsepower LS3 V8 engine, engine-control package and Tremec 6-speed GMPP manual transmission. The Camaro rides on a Detroit Speed front hydroformed subframe, Detroit Speed Quadralink suspension and a RideTech powder-coated roll bar. Wilwood disc brakes provide the stopping power.

Modern comfort is provided by Recaro Specialist seats, Detroit Vintage gauges, Vintage Air, power windows and a RetroSound Bluetooth stereo/phone system.

1967 Ford Mustang GT “Bullitt” re-creation – This classic coupe ticks several resto-mod boxes, not only with modern components but evoking the famous ’68 Mustang driven by Steve McQueen as Detective Frank Bullitt, and used in the iconic chase scene in the movie, Bullitt.

The Mustang S-Code GT has been restored with the complete look of the Bullitt car, including Highland Green paint, American Torque Thrust wheels in Eastwood Charcoal Gray and an interior that appears as it did in the film.

But under the hood is a thoroughly modern Roush 402-IR V8 engine with eight-stack fuel injection, custom Bullitt valve covers, body-colored K&N air filters and ceramic-coated headers, and linked with a Tremec TKO 5-speed manual transmission.  The suspension has been upgraded, including a Total Control sway bar and suspension kit, along with rack-and-pinion steering and Wilwood Pro Series disc brakes.

Barrett-Jackson
The 1969 Shelby GT500 has been in the Watkins family since new

While not a resto-mod, another special collector car in the Watkins collection is a family heirloom, a 1969 Shelby GT50o that Chip Watkins’ father bought new and that has stayed in the family since.

“Needless to say, it’s been well-pampered and kept in a climate-controlled collection, with its original odometer reading less than 35,400 original miles,” Barrett-Jackson says in the news release.

Among the imports included in the Watkins collection are a 1975 DeTomaso Pantera GTS, a 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo cabriolet, a restored 1972 Datsun 240Z and a 1983 Toyota SR5 4×4 pickup restored with off-roading upgrades.

For more information about the 17th annual Palm Beach auction, visit the Barrett-Jackson website.

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

1 COMMENT

  1. I just love old classic car and trucks you will never beat them in looks or the way they built or how they run……

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