Modernized vintage performance automobiles combine classic styling with contemporary performance upgrades. Such high-end restomod builds - meticulously restored classic cars with modern components - are commanding newfound respect and value in today's collector car world.

Nowhere is this trend more evident than with 1960s classic Mustang restomods.

As the earliest Ford Mustangs approach their 60th anniversaries, a new generation of ultra-wealthy enthusiasts is breathing fresh life into these American icons with bespoke upgrades and performance that rival modern supercars. The result is a Classic Mustang restomod craze that perfectly blends muscle-car nostalgia with present-day luxury and drivability.

Classic Mustang Restomod Craze Among Collectors

The revival of 1960s Mustangs in restomod form is being fueled by shifting tastes in the collector market. Industry observers note that high-end restomods are bringing serious money" attracting new generations of enthusiasts who now have the means to buy the dream cars of their youth. These buyers - overwhelmingly male (over 90%, according to surveys – grew up idolizing the '65-'70 Ford Mustang as the pinnacle of cool.

Today, thanks to successful careers or investments, they can finally acquire those dream machines, but they want the cars updated for modern use. Much as vintage 4x4s and retro exotics have been reborn with contemporary tech, the classic Mustang is being "restomodded" into a new breed of collectible that's both familiar and cutting-edge.

Not long ago, hardcore collectors viewed modified classics with skepticism, favoring factory-original restorations.

But attitudes have evolved – a well-executed restomod Mustang can now be more desirable than an all-original example. Enthusiasts have discovered that a tastefully upgraded '60s Mustang offers the best of both worlds: Timeless styling and visceral V8 sound, combined with reliable modern mechanicals.

Freed from the quirks of 60-year-old carburetors and drum brakes, these cars can be driven hard and often - exactly what today's buyers want. Hemmings Motor News reports that many collectors now embrace restomods as "vehicles they grew up with and coveted," reborn with enhancements that make them actually enjoyable to drive.

Nostalgia alone isn't enough - modern performance and comfort are key to this revival.

Why Wealthy Enthusiasts Crave Restomod Mustangs

What is it about a restomod Mustang that has ultra-wealthy buyers
opening their checkbooks? A few key factors drive the demand:

Nostalgic Appeal with Authenticity

For many, the 1965-70 Mustang was a childhood dream car or cultural icon. A restomod allows them to relive the muscle-car glory days in a genuine vintage body - not a replica - retaining heritage styling and the soul of a classic. The difference now is they can actually drive it daily if they choose, without vintage reliability woes.

Modern Performance & Comfort

Unlike stock classics, restomod builds have no qualms about upgrading the "guts" of the car. Restomods (old cars with modern guts) are big business these days – customizers regularly charge six figures to fit a fuel-injected engine, disc brakes, etc., into an old rig," notes Hagerty's 2024 Bull Market report
nasdaq.com.

In practice, that means a restomod Mustang might pack a 500-horsepower fuel-injected V8, a modern 5-speed or automatic transmission, tuned suspension, and big disc brakes. Add in conveniences like air conditioning, premium audio, and even touchscreen nav, and you have a classic that can keep pace with any contemporary GT car. The appeal to a millionaire enthusiast is huge - they get vintage looks with supercar performance and zero sacrifice in comfort.

Exclusivity & Personalization

No two restomod Mustangs are the same. Each is typically a one-of-one bespoke creation, tailored to its owner's tastes in paint color, interior trimmings, wheels, and even badges. This exclusivity is a big draw for high-net-worth buyers who seek unique toys. Today's younger luxury buyers especially value collectibles because of their uniqueness and authenticity rather than conspicuous consumption.

A custom-built Mustang with your chosen specs is the ultimate personal statement - far more unique than buying the latest Ferrari off the showroom floor.

Experience-Rich Driving

Beyond status, these cars deliver a thrilling experience. Slipping into the leather Recaro seats of a restomod fastback and hearing a reworked V8 roar to life is a sensory thrill few modern cars can match.

There's a rush of emotions inspired by a more analog and unfiltered driving experience – the smell of fuel, the mechanical feedback, the nostalgic sight of the Mustang's double-barrel hood – all coupled with the confidence of modern reliability.

For affluent enthusiasts who may find modern supercars too sanitized (or even "emotionless" in the EV era), a well-built '60s Mustang restomod is the antidote that engages all the senses.

Rising Investment Potential

While passion is the main driver, buyers have noticed that high-end restomods can hold their value - or even appreciate. In recent years, custom Mustang restomods have fetched serious money at auctions and online marketplaces. For instance, one freshly built 1967 Mustang fastback restomod sold on Bring a Trailer for about $265,000, reportedly a record for a Mustang on that platform.

Knowing that these cars are coveted by collectors provides a degree of confidence to buyers that their six- or seven-figure toy is also a savvy investment in automotive art.

1960s Icons Reborn with Modern Muscle

Ford's first-generation Mustang (1964½ through 1970) defined the pony car era and remains one of the most recognizable classics on the planet. As these models turn 60 years old, they've attained true legend status - joining the ranks of '50s Gullwing Mercedes and '60s Ferrari GTs as blue-chip collectibles.

But unlike many European classics, Mustangs were mass-produced and modify-friendly, making them ideal candidates for creative rebirth. Enthusiasts are taking the icons of the 1960s and infusing them with 21st-century muscle. The process typically begins with an original Mustang body - whether a coveted 2+2 fastback, a convertible, or a hardtop coupe.

The car is then stripped to bare metal and fully restored, correcting any rust or age-related fatigue. From there, builders integrate a host of upgrades: new high-performance crate or tuned engines, modern fuel injection, upgraded 5-speed manual or even 6-speed automatic transmissions, competition-grade suspension components, custom exhaust, and more.

Importantly, the best restomods strive to preserve the classic character - the exterior looks largely vintage (aside from maybe larger alloy wheels and subtly lower stance), and interior design stays period-correct but hides modern amenities.

It's A Balancing Act Of Old And New.

Done right, the car still looks like a '60s Mustang at first glance, but drives and behaves like a contemporary sports car once you turn the key. Take, for example, the "Millionaire's Dream" restomod Mustang built by ECD Automove Design, which features a carbon-fiber body and a 700hp engine under 1967 sheetmetal.

Or consider the licensed "Eleanor" Mustangs (inspired by the movie Gone in 60 Seconds) that are being produced in limited numbers - brand-new 1967 fastbacks with modern Ford Racing engines and amenities, selling for deep six figures.

These reimagined Mustangs speak to a broader phenomenon: collectors aren't just parking these cars as static art pieces; they're driving them, doing cross-country rallies, showing them at concours events, and even drag racing them on weekends. The restomod revival is about using and enjoying these cars as never before, indulging in the nostalgia while creating new memories.

ECD Automotive Design: Leading the Restomod Mustang Revival

ECD Automotive Design is at the forefront of this high-end Mustang restomod movement. Highly acclaimed for building bespoke Land Rover Defenders and Jaguar E-Types, Florida-based ECD recently expanded into American muscle cars - and they chose the 1967 Mustang Fastback as their launching point.

ECD's inaugural build, dubbed Project '67 Ghost, exemplifies how far a classic Mustang can be taken when cost is no object and quality is paramount. The handcrafted '67 Ghost Fastback marks a significant expansion for ECD – now offering one-of-one, client-commissioned builds based on 1965-1970 Mustangs. Each build features heritage styling, modern drivability, and authentic Ford power - a departure from the EV or crate engine swaps common elsewhere.

ECD prides itself on keeping the heart of the Mustang pure Ford (no generic LS engines or electric conversions here) while upgrading everything necessary for reliability and performance.

The Ghost Mustang, for example, retains a classic Ford small-block V8 - but not an old-school, carbureted one. ECD partnered with Roush Performance to massage a 347 cubic-inch stroker V8 to 465 horsepower with modern fuel injection, rather than simply dropping in a new "Coyote" crate motor. This gives the car an authentic rumbling character true to its 1960s roots, yet with far more punch and dependability.

Underpinning ECD's Mustang is a modern Roadster Shop chassis with fully updated suspension geometry, coil-over shocks, and performance brakes. This provides sports-car handling and ride quality unimaginable in the 1960s.

Inside, the '67 Ghost is outfitted with heated Recaro leather seats, a curated aluminum dashboard with classic-look gauges, a modern HVAC system, and even Apple CarPlay integrated into the vintage-style head unit. Every stitch and surface is custom-tailored - the interior exudes the aroma of fresh leather rather than musty vinyl, and the cabin is appointed to luxury car standards.

Yet, open the door, and the iconic Mustang double-bar steering wheel and chrome accents immediately evoke 1967. It's this meticulous attention to detail that positions ECD's work at the very top of the market. Not surprisingly, such craftsmanship comes at a price. A classic Mustang restomod by ECD starts around $280,000 and goes up from there, depending on options, firmly placing it in supercar territory.

But for their discerning clientele, the cost is part of the appeal. It signals exclusivity and the level of engineering involved. Multiple commissions are already underway, including builds inspired by Shelby GT500s and Boss 302s, as ECD's Mustang program gains momentum.

By bringing the kind of bespoke design experience previously seen with vintage Land Rovers and Porsches into the realm of pony cars, ECD Automotive Design has effectively redefined what a classic Mustang can be in the 2020s. They honor the Mustang's legacy by crafting restorations that seamlessly blend vintage charm with modern luxury and performance - a formula clearly resonating with today's collector-car elites.

The Road Ahead: Iconic Pony Cars with a Modern Twist

From exclusive auction previews to luxury car rallies, restomod Mustangs are roaring back into the limelight of American car culture.

This resurgence isn't just a fleeting trend - it reflects a broader shift toward experiential, one-of-a-kind automotive ownership. The affluent buyers driving the restomod revival want something that excites them and stands apart from the crowd, and a tailor-made 1960s Mustang delivers on all counts. As one market guide put it, change is constant in the collector-car world, and right now the momentum is with high-end builds that "exchange nostalgia for modern capability" and in doing so, bring serious money
hemmings.com

In the coming years, expect to see even more innovative interpretations of the classic Mustang formula. We may see electric-powered restomod Mustangs or advanced materials like carbon fiber used to lighten old chassis - all in pursuit of fusing retro style with future tech. Yet the core appeal will remain the same: the Restomod Revival is about keeping legends alive.

For those fortunate enough to be in that top tier of buyers, owning a classic Mustang restomod isn't just owning a car - it's owning a rolling piece of art and history, enhanced for the ultimate driving experience. And as long as there are enthusiasts with the means and vision to reinvent these icons, you can bet classic Mustangs will keep roaring back onto the roads - louder, faster, and more coveted than ever.

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