Your British or European classic, re-engineered as a restomod to meet your brief and driving needs. Modern drivetrain, braking, cooling and comfort, designed and engineered as though it was always meant to be there.
WHAT WE UPGRADE
Engine rebuilds and conversions, five-speed and modern automatic gearboxes, uprated brakes, suspension, power steering, improved cooling, electronic ignition and alternator conversions. Inside, modern audio hidden behind original trim, discreet climate control, and seats retrimmed in period-correct materials.
While the character of the car is preserved, what sits underneath is chosen to suit the way you want to drive. The test is whether an upgrade could have come from the factory, with everything fabricated to honour the original car.
BESPOKE BUILDS
A restomod begins with a car. A bespoke build begins with an idea.
That might be a classic body over modern running gear, like a Range Rover Classic shell on Discovery underpinnings, or a car that existed once and doesn’t any more, recreated from original drawings and photographs.
Our bespoke build process begins in design, where ideas can be iterated and modelled before any metal is cut. Once the design is agreed the project moves between each of our dedicated teams: coachbuilding, fabrication, mechanical, paint and trim as the vision comes to life. If you have an idea for a bespoke build, let’s talk.
FOLLOW THE BUILD FROM ANYWHERE
Every stage of your build is documented in our workshop app through photos, notes and video as the work happens. You can see what was found and what was done, and engage with each step of the build process, whether you are across town or overseas. The record stays with the car.
WHAT IS A RESTOMOD?
A restomod starts with the same care as a full classic car restoration, then adds modern engineering so it can be driven and enjoyed today. The bodywork, interior and character often stay period-correct. What changes is underneath, including the drivetrain, brakes, cooling, suspension and electrics.
The point is not to modernise a classic for its own sake. It is to remove the reasons a classic ends up left in the garage: overheating in traffic, brakes that require planning ahead, a gearbox that fights the driver. Done well, a restomod looks the way the car always did and drives like something you would take anywhere.
HOW THE BUILD PROCESS WORKS
Every build begins with a conversation, not a spec sheet. What the car is for, how you want it to feel, what you want out of it.
- Workshop visit. Come in, see our work first hand, meet the team and talk through the brief for your project. Not local? We can discuss your build on a phone or video call instead.
- Finding the right car. Most clients start with a car they already own. If you don’t have one yet, we can help you find the right example and assess it honestly before you commit.
- Initial assessment. Our technicians review your car and put together an initial condition report to help guide the process, stored in the app so you can refer back to it at any point.
- Build plan and estimate. We outline the initial build plan and work phases and provide you with an indicative estimate or ballpark for what you want to achieve. If it suits you better, we can pace the build to match a weekly or monthly budget.
- Strip and assess. One of the most critical steps in the process, the team carefully strips and assesses the vehicle. Everything is documented and photographed to ensure the plan matches the reality.
- The build. Your project moves through fabrication, mechanical, electrical, paint and trim as required, with each phase managed by the project lead and recorded in the workshop app.
- Certification. We manage LVV certification on your behalf, working with the certifier at key stages throughout the build process.
- Pre-delivery inspection. Before we hand the car back to you, our team reviews the work with fresh eyes, checking and rechecking the final build.
- Handover. The day the build has been heading towards. We hand the keys back and the record of the build stays with the car.
- Post-build support. A build does not end at handover. The same team who built it provides essential post-build servicing and maintenance to keep it at its best.
COMMON QUESTIONS
- Does a restomod need LVV certification in New Zealand? In most cases, yes. Modifications outside factory specification usually require Low Volume Vehicle certification through an LVVTA-appointed certifier. Engine conversions, brake and suspension changes and structural modifications all fall inside that. We plan certification into the build from the start rather than chasing it at the end, and work with the certifier at key stages throughout.
- How long does a build take? It depends entirely on the scope. A discreet upgrade could be a matter of weeks; a ground-up restomod or a bespoke commission can span months, and sometimes years. We take on a small number of builds each year so each one gets the workshop time it needs. Alternatively, we can pace the build to match your ideal weekly budget.
- What does a restomod cost? Every build is different, so there is no list price. After the initial assessment you get an indicative estimate against a phased build plan, so you can see what each stage is likely to cost. That way you can plan the approach that works best for you.
- Can you work on a car I already own? Yes, most of our builds start with a car the owner already has. If you do not have one yet, talk to us before you buy, or we can help you find the right vehicle to start with.
We take on a small number of builds each year. If you have one in mind, book a workshop visit and see what we do first hand.
