Restomod revolution: how enthusiasts are modernizing classic Mustangs
Published on Dec 01, 2025 at 9:53 AM | By Alessandro Renesis
Ford Mustangs have always been iconic but now the restomod revolution is making them even more popular.
What was once a dream confined to magazine centerfolds is now rolling out of shops across the country.
The Mustang restomod movement has exploded, combining wind-in-the-hair nostalgia, modern supercar capabilities, and of course the legendary growl of the V8.
It’s a revolution, but also an evolution.
From pony car to powerhouse – why Ford Mustangs lead the restomod charge
Since the moment the first Mustang rolled off the line in 1964, it has been the people’s performance car.
Affordable, good-looking, and blessed with a massive aftermarket, it was basically built to be modified.
Decades before ‘restomod’ became a buzzword, teenagers were already shoehorning small-block V8s into 65 coupes and adding new wheels, new interior features that really didn’t belong but, at the same time, it all kind of worked.
Today that same DNA – limitless parts availability, simple unibody construction, and proportions that still look right with 20-inch wheels – makes the 1965–1973 Mustang the undisputed king of the restomod world.
Add in one of the most passionate owner communities on earth (Carlisle Ford Nationals alone draws over 100,000 fans yearly), and it’s clear why more classic Mustangs get the full modern treatment than any other car.
The anatomy of a restomod Mustang
A true restomod isn’t just about returning a car to showroom condition – it’s about making it better than Ford ever dared.
When it comes to Ford Mustangs, the recipe often looks like this.
The engine is usually a Gen 3 or Gen 4 Coyote crate V8, usually the 7.3-liter one.
The chassis features fully boxed frames, coil-over suspension, tubular control arms, and rack-and-pinion steering.
As for the interior, you’re looking at custom leather, Recaro seats, vintage air climate control, and RetroSound head units that look 1960s but stream Spotify.
The magic is in the balance – enough modern hardware to rival a new GT on a canyon road, yet every exterior line still screams ‘1969 Mach 1’ or, even better, Gone in 60 Seconds ‘Eleanor’.
Craft meets tech – how builders are blending eras with these Mustangs
Walk into any top-tier restomod shop and you’ll witness a beautiful collision of eras: a craftsman hand-forming an aluminum hood while, ten feet away, a technician programs a RideTech air-ride system on a laptop.
Carbon fiber fender flares sit next to perfectly restored chrome bumpers.
A classic three-spoke steering wheel fronts a 12-inch digital gauge cluster that can mimic original sweep needles or flip to a track telemetry layout.
The result is an exhaust that barks like it’s 1967, but a car you can drive like it’s 2025.
The market shift – why values are rising
The collector car world used to worship one word: originality.
Today, a younger generation of buyers wants cars they can actually drive hard without worrying about devaluing a numbers-matching relic.
The numbers tell the story.
A tastefully restored 1967 Fastback might bring $80–$120k at auction.
But a top-shelf restomod from a known builder easily fetches $300–$600k.
A few days ago, a restomodded DeTomaso Pantera sold for $363,000 on SBX Cars, setting a new world record.
Obviously that’s not a Mustang, but still says a lot about the increasingly market hunger for restomods.
The restomod Mustang is more than a trend – it’s the purest expression of automotive freedom in 2025.
It says you don’t have to choose between soul-crushing nostalgia and soul-crushing modernity because you can have both.
You can have your cake – the look that turns heads at Cars and Coffee – and eat it, too – with performance that rivals supercars on Sunday morning drives.
Head to SBX Cars to find out more available Ford Mustangs and other iconic restomods.
