SEMA News—August 2011
Rejuvenating and Modernizing Move the Industry
Restoration Products and Trends
While “restoration” once referred to using only original or reproduction parts, the industry has come to also embrace the idea of mild modifications to classic vehicles. There is still a definite differentiation between a “restomod” and an all-out hot rod, but the lines have been subtly blurred.
This compilation of restoration products that were introduced at the 2010 SEMA Show runs the gamut from traditional numbers-matching reproductions to modernization components for handling and power. We’ve also interspersed comments from the owners and executives of some of the industry’s leading restoration specialists. Both say a lot about how the marketplace has changed.
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Winding roads and country lanes have never been so fun. A sleek digital interface is paired with five-way |
Secretaudio audio solution with an RF handheld remote LCD display. AM/FM radio with USB/iPod control/Sirius satellite input and remote CD changer control. |
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The Classic Car Database is the PREMIER WEBSITE FOR AUTOMOBILE SPECIFICATIONS. This is the most extensive database of specifications for American automobiles (antique, classic, vintage and muscle cars) manufactured between 1910 and 1975. |
A ’63–’66 Corvette teak steering wheel kit. Quality reproduction of original simulated teak plastic steering wheel. Includes a steering wheel, a hub assembly, horn contact and a bowtie horn cap. |
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Sound-effects air-ride control. When adjusting ride height, the user is alerted to the vehicle’s height by a favorite sound or pre-recorded voice. Unique electronic sound effects are available. |
 Danchuk Manufacturing’57 Door Belt Moldings, Hardtop and Convertible 800/854-6911 www.danchuk.com PN: 15671/15672 One-hundred percent made in the U.S.A. using top-quality tooling and stainless steel. These original reproduction moldings are located along the outside top edge of the door. Enjoy a perfect look and fit with these gems. |
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Air Runner
Custom Autosound Manufacturing Inc.
ClassicCarDatabase.com
Classic Industries/OER
Air Runner|
I’m also getting questions from people who have bought an older restoration that they want to have freshened up. They want very mild body modifications and basic cleaning up. People today tend to use these cars, so they are much more concerned with being able to drive them. That’s part of the business now. You need to be pretty diverse to survive in this market, and you have to be able to provide one-stop shopping. Whether the shop subs out some of the work or handles the whole job on its own, people want one shop to take care of the project all the way through.
—Lenny Schaeffer, Owner |
I’m starting to see a slowdown in the restoration of the big classic cars—Packards, V12 Cadillacs and other Depression-era cars from the ’30s. Most of them have already been restored, and today’s consumers don’t really remember them. I’m seeing a lot more ’50s and ’60s and even ’70s cars that are going the restomod route. The owners are looking to keep the exteriors pretty stock, but they want upgrades, such as overdrive transmissions, four-wheel disc brakes and modified suspension to handle driving at highway speeds.
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Badger Air-Brush introduces its new Renegade |
Starting with new class A tooling, then using top-quality steel and ending with the best-quality American plating money can buy, these bumpers are a true work of art, made just like the ones |
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Danchuk Manufacturing
Starting with new class A tooling, then using top- |
Danchuk Manufacturing
One-hundred percent made in the U.S.A. using |
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Gentlemen, start your engines. Del City proudly announces its latest products, introducing heavy-duty Engine Start pushbuttons. |
Add style and customization to the engine compartment with Drake Muscle Cars fusebox |
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Drake Muscle Cars offers a great vintage R model race look for ’10 Ford Mustang quarter window |
Drake Muscle Cars ’10–’11 Ford Mustang engine cap sets are machined billet-aluminum caps and handles with a clear anodized finish. Caps include stylish stamped insert with a carbon-fiber pattern and raised letters. |
Badger Air-Brush Co.
Danchuk Manufacturing
800/854-6911
Smoothie-Style Bumper
Del City
Drake Automotive Group
Drake Automotive Group
Drake Automotive Group|
Scott Drake Enterprises ’64–’73 classic Ford Mustang engine cap sets are machined billet- |
Drake Automotive Group Scott Drake’s popular unpainted small-block high-performance oil pan with a baffle, tube and pick-up. Fit is the same design as used in the Boss 302, including the Boss 302-style oil pick-up. |
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Drake Automotive Group Showcase your customer’s pony with the Scott Drake LED light kit for the Pony Grille Corral. Includes all wiring and a fitted reflector. Use with the existing Corral. |
Drake Automotive Group
Add the look of performance with Scott Drake’s |
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Drake Automotive Group Add modern style to your classic Bronco with Drake Off Road’s stout billet machined headlamp door trim rings. Includes stainless socket head cap screws. |
 Drake Automotive Group’67–’77 Classic Ford Bronco Billet Taillamp Bezels 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C7TZ-99279A6/7B Add modern style to your classic Bronco with Drake Off Road’s billet machined taillamp bezels. Includes stainless socket head cap screws. |
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Drake Automotive Group
 The restoration market seems to be recovering well from the recession. The biggest trend is the increase in the restoration of later-model vehicles. When I first started in this market 30 years ago, it was believed by many of us that anything newer than ’72 would never be restored.
There are fewer “pure” restorations being done by amateur restorers. Most backyard restorers make small changes to items, such as the wheels and sound system. There are exceptions, but the great shops in our industry do most I have seen a major increase in resto-mods that retain the look of a classic with the dependability and power of a modern car. The truck and the nontraditional car markets—four-door cars, sedans, station wagons, etc.—have also both seen significant growth. The sky is the limit now. Retailers and shop owners have choices. There are very few parts in 2011 that retailers don’t have several brands to choose from. The flip side is that there are some sub-par parts on the market, and sometimes there is a reason that a great deal is so cheap.
—Alex Tainsh, |