Restomods Will Hand Over The Keys To Your Dream Car—And Seeing Is Believing

You’ve heard of restomods—the kind with Bluetooth head units stuffed in the glovebox—but I’m talking about RestoMods with a capital R. This is the company that builds the kind of cars people drool over, then surprises fans by parking them in their driveways and garages. Founded as an automotive blog in 2014, RestoMods has since given away dozens of “better than new” icons from the muscle car era. They appeared on my radar a while back via the Instagram algorithm, so it’s safe to say their social media team is working hard to hijack my scrolling. Only later did I realize that RestoMods is based right here in San Diego—just like the Builds & Banter crew! Small world, eh?

When I caught wind about their most recent Cars and Coffee on June 1st, it immediately struck me as admirable that RestoMods was taking an in-person approach to community outreach. This wasn’t just a genuine way to connect with the local car scene—it also made the prospect of winning a car feel tangible. On display was their 30th giveaway build: a 1970 Dodge Charger built by Head Mechanic Chris Esparza and the RestoMods team in-house. As of this writing, the winner of the RM30 ’70 Charger, Derrick Jones from Texas, had been announced. Flown to San Diego, he was presented with a tough, unprecedented choice: drive home with the car and fifty grand, or walk away with $150,000 in cash. After some deliberation, Derrick—overflowing with gratitude and enthusiasm—chose to go home with $150k. His lifelong dream of owning a home will now become a reality.

Before I share the next giveaway car, I’d like to reiterate that I’ve been talking about RestoMods the company, not the term restomod. However, in order to describe the caliber of car future participants have the chance to own, it’s worth defining the term restomod for those who are new here. According to RestoMod’s website, the term restomod refers to a type of classic car restoration where the vehicle is updated and modified with modern components and technology while preserving its original appearance or aesthetic. Let's make something clear: we're not just talking about a ‘67 Cougar with Pertronix Ignition and a Viper Alarm. Now, you might find those accessories on a car that fits the definition, but rather than riding the line between a classic with a few aftermarket bits and a proper restomod, each car that leaves RestoMod’s San Diego garage showcases restoration and modification pushed to their ultimate expression. 

While many past cars like the ‘70 Charger from RestoMod’s RM30 giveaway are built from the ground up completely in-house, others have received frame-off restorations prior to showing up at the garage. Each car to leave the garage provides a blank canvas for the future winner to personalize, so if you prefer ghost flames or bowtie shaped exhaust tips, more power to you. The company’s founder Chris Hedgecock says, “we’re not really like the owners of these cars, we're the caretaker for the next guy down the road.” In any case, each car is meticulously brought up to RestoMod’s strict standards, and their next RM31 sweepstakes, ending October 24th, which features a supercharged 1967 Camaro built by Smithy’s Customs, is no exception. This ’67 Camaro, given a few subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes by RestoMods, is like a finely crafted suit waiting to be tailored—made even more fitting by its new coat of Tuxedo Black paint.

This isn’t your Grandpa’s ‘67 Camaro, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win it! A Whipple Supercharged Wegner LSX controlled by Holley Terminor X max puts 730 horsepower through a Tremec Magnum 6-Speed with Centerforce clutch, carbon fiber driveshaft, and Fab9 rear end. Chassis Works front subframe, subframe connectors, and rear 4 link allow this Camaro to perform just as flawlessly in the twisties as you’d expect on the drag strip. Boze forged Synchro wheels and Toyo Proxes R888R tires keep it connected to the road, while Willwood disc brakes and Hydroboost brake assist ensure it stays on the pavement. Houndstooth Recaro seats and Sparco seatbelts provide support and keep you firmly planted while you glance at the Holley LCD cluster, grip the MOMO Prototipo Black Edition steering wheel, and tackle corners with confidence in the comfort of Vintage Air.

Do you want a shot at winning this supercharged ‘67 Camaro, or entries to win future giveaways? Simply pick up some gear on RestoMod’s online store or join the Restomods Car Club by registering for a paid monthly subscription that includes giveaway entries. At first, a monthly subscription might sound iffy if you’re doomscrolling endlessly and stumble across an enthusiastic sponsored ad—until you visit Restomod’s website and see they offer multiple membership tiers, each packed with tremendous value, even if you already own a restomod or classic. Plus, I’d argue very few classic car owners would say two is too many.

For more information and free ways to enter, visit Restomod’s sweepstakes page. Each membership offers a variety of benefits including their monthly magazine, free classified listings, and members-only discounts on Restomod’s online store—which, unlike others, offers far more than a handful of T-shirts that look like they were designed by unpaid interns. Members also gain access to exclusive discount codes from Restomod’s sponsors including brands without which building a restomod would be impossible. Even the entry-level subscription includes a free classified listing, which means if you play your cards right and luck is on your side, you could sell your work-in-progress for top dollar on Restomods classifieds, and win your dream ride for roughly the price of a Big Mac combo.

Special thanks to RestoMods for their kindness, hospitality, and warm welcome to the garage!