In today’s automotive landscape, there is a wide range of tastes, especially when it comes to classic car builds. Some people prefer to take a vehicle like a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and find every period-correct component possible and restore it to the same specifications it had when it rolled off the assembly line. Others prefer to take a similar Bel Air and put in a performance-enhanced LS engine combined with modern comforts such as power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and a kicking aftermarket audio system. Everyone has his or her preference, yet the question remains: Which style is better suited to help keep the hobby alive for future generations?

Restoration: Classic cars are rolling museum pieces. It’s better to recreate the past rather than desecrate it by making it as modern as possible. Classic car enthusiasts owe it to the younger generation to teach about the good old days when style and horsepower reigned supreme over reliability and efficiency.

Restomod: There’s no disputing that classic car designs are iconic. However, manual brakes, windows, and steering are difficult to manage. Additionally, wouldn’t it be more appealing to younger generations if these classic designs were paired with components that made them easier and more reliable to drive?

What say you, automotive faithful? Do you lean toward restoration or restomod? Somewhere in the middle? Tell us in the Comments section below.