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Roadster Shop Survivor Series

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AZ66Malibu

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm a big fan of the Roadster Shop's builds and hope to one day have them do my 66 SS. In particular I like their "Survivor Series" (see attached link) where they basically take clean stock bodied cars and give them the full restomod treatment with their custom chassis, LS powerplants, and updated interiors. I was able to check out their shop and see dozens of cars in process and came away very impressed.

Anyone have an idea what a basic build like this would cost?. I know a lot depends on the specifics of a build, but I'm wondering if anyone has worked with them or has an idea what a basic build would cost? I asked but they were kind of reluctant to quote me any ballpark numbers. I'm guessing a complete rolling chassis with LS motor, trans, rear, brakes, would be in the $75k range. Maybe $25k for interior and $50k labor. So maybe $150k total if nothing too crazy. Does this sound in the ballpark? Would appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Luke's 1966 Chevelle
 
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#2 ·
I think you might be a little "lite" in the estimate but I learned years ago what you think is usually half of where your going. I may be wrong but they are not giving you a quote that raises a flag. Good luck with the build.The pics are outstanding of the 66. I would go with a big block but that's just me.
 
#4 ·
If that's your car in the link above there is no way I would resto mod that car. It looks pretty stock to me. The second you resto mod a car you slap a date on it. 15 years from now that resto mod will look very dated. 15 years from now a stock or semi stock Chevelle will look like it did in 1966. If that's your car it looks good to me.
 
#5 ·
blm said:
If that's your car in the link above there is no way I would resto mod that car. It looks pretty stock to me. The second you resto mod a car you slap a date on it. 15 years from now that resto mod will look very dated. 15 years from now a stock or semi stock Chevelle will look like it did in 1966. If that's your car it looks good to me.
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just like Pro-Street
 
#6 ·
After looking a little closer I assume that is not your car but one that was modded at the shop you mention. Definitely wouldn't have done that car. How about some pics of your 66.
 
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#7 ·
RS does very good work...correction, they do exceptional work. Not knowing your starting point and what your car looks like, I'd say somewhere near the $200k-$250k range. Their shop rate is upwards of $150/hr if not more. Those man hours will stack up quickly if you don't have a good base. Not questioning your financial status, but if you can afford it, I say go for it. In reference to resto-modding a car, pro-touring is here to stay. There's a way to resto-mod a car very classily and still original looking. Putting a chassis under a car doesn't date a car. Neither does putting a LS/LT in it as nearly that's the new wave. You can even do an LS that looks like a big block now. There are several wheel companies that make nostalgia wheels in larger diameters. It all depends on how you do the car. Yes, you can go ever board. But you can also keep the car near stock looking and most will never know that stock pattern interior is Moore & Giles leather. And the stock looking door handles are actually billet. See where I'm going with this? Those who know...know!! The car you showed is the very example of what I'm talking about. Stock looking nostalgia wheels that are 3-piece, BB looking LS and leather interior and that car is classy. Newer gauges in the dash, etc.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Well if one can resto mod a car and nobody can tell what is the point? Especially to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars. One could purchase three exceptionally fine stock Chevelles for that price.
 
#11 ·
Jus-Cruisin said:
The point is to make it drive and ride like a new performance car and still retain the old car looks. See it done a lot with C1 and C2 Corvettes
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When a classic car is molded to the point of the one featured in the OPs post they have also modded the appearance of the car. At first glance it appears to be somewhat stock however many cosmetic changes have been made. Someone said changing a chassis doesn't date a car. That is true but that is something that is not normally seen. On these resto mod/pro touring cars there are many changes that can be seen. Back in the day those that transformed their cars into gassers thought that look would be dated or many years ago those that painted there cars with a mural paint job thought that looked bad? I my opinion the trucks done in the fake patina already look dated.
 
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#12 ·
blm said:
When a classic car is molded to the point of the one featured in the OPs post they have also modded the appearance of the car. At first glance it appears to be somewhat stock however many cosmetic changes have been made. Someone said changing a chassis doesn't date a car. That is true but that is something that is not normally seen. On these resto mod/pro touring cars there are many changes that can be seen. Back in the day those that transformed their cars into gassers thought that look would be dated or many years ago those that painted there cars with a mural paint job thought that looked bad? I my opinion the trucks done in the fake patina already look dated.
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Rusto-mods, gassers, graphics, trendy colors are all visual mods. I fully agree that those quickly date cars just like cars dripping with billet everything years back. But I don't see how a well done restomod that retains original looks is going to "look" dated in 5 years. Sure wheels come and go - easy change if that's what your saying. If your talking about highly modified bodies with flairs and such, I don't call them restomods.
 
#13 ·
The subject of this thread “Survivor Series” and “Resto Modding” are a contradiction of terms. “Survivor” means the car is as it left the factory. “Restomod” means the car has been restored and modified. Are they insinuating that after they heavily modifying a classic it still appears to be a survivor? That would certainly be up for debate.
 
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#14 ·
blm said:
The subject of this thread “Survivor Series” and “Resto Modding” are a contradiction of terms. “Survivor” means the car is as it left the factory. “Restomod” means the car has been restored and modified. Are they insinuating that after they heavily modifying a classic it still appears to be a survivor? That would certainly be up for debate.
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I give you that.
 
#17 ·
blm said:
Based upon that one picture aside from the wheels it appears to be stock.
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I'm going to say resto-modded.
Bigger brakes, lowered stance, and what appears to be a more modern fuel tank. Beautifully done, which is what I like to see regardless of original or not.
 
#18 ·
Yes it appears to have disc brakes front and rear. Also I noticed the stance was altered. Already mentioned the larger wheels. However unless there are additional modifications I would not consider a car with only those changes to be resto modded.
 
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#19 ·
blm said:
Yes it appears to have disc brakes front and rear. Also I noticed the stance was altered. Already mentioned the larger wheels. However unless there are additional modifications I would not consider a car with only those changes to be resto modded.
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At what point is a resto modded car considered a Pro Touring car?
 
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#20 ·
69SHEVL said:
At what point is a resto modded car considered a Pro Touring car?
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My opinion of a pro touring car would be one that has modifications to all of the following areas, tires, brakes, suspension, steering, engine,drivetrain, so it can and will perform just as a modern performance car should.
my opinion of a Resto Mod car would be similar to a pro touring car but would have cosmetic modifications / upgrades as well.
The 66 in post #15 has as far as I can tell from the one picture has minor modifications to the brakes/tires/springs. Whether further modification was done is unknown.
 
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