Renovation

Renovation (automotive) /ren-uh-vay-shuhn/ noun (uncountable)

An automotive renovation is the process of rebuilding or modernising a classic vehicle, often improving its performance, reliability, and usability with non-original, contemporary components. This is the pragmatic, and to purists, heretical, cousin of restoration. Where restoration is a fanatical pursuit of originality, renovation is the art of making an old car work properly in the modern world. It is the automotive equivalent of fitting a modern kitchen into a Tudor cottage; the character is preserved, but it has been made far more liveable. 

The Full Story of Renovation

The renovation movement emerged from a simple truth: many classic British cars were charming but fundamentally flawed machines. They leaked, broke down, and possessed handling characteristics that would terrify a modern driver. The renovation enthusiast sees these shortcomings not as character traits to be preserved, but as problems to be solved.

The case for renovation is compelling, born from the often-disappointing reality of classic British car ownership. For all their charm, many of our beloved classics were, to be frank, not very good even when they were new. They were often unreliable, handled in a way that is terrifying by current standards, and had brakes that offered more of a polite suggestion than a firm instruction to stop. A renovation seeks to address these shortcomings.

The most common and sensible upgrades target dependability and safety. The notoriously fickle Lucas dynamo is swapped for a contemporary, dependable alternator. The fiddly points-based ignition is replaced by a fit-and-forget electronic system. Most importantly, the feeble drum brakes are often replaced with powerful and reliable disc brake conversion kits. These modifications allow owners to drive their classics without constant anxiety about mechanical failure or collision.

The more ambitious end of the spectrum is the "restomod," a portmanteau of restoration and modification. This is where the car's very heart is replaced. The humble Austin-Healey Sprite engine might be swapped for a fuel-injected unit from a Honda S2000, gaining more power and the novel ability to not leave an oil stain on your host's driveway. A classic Mini might have a high-revving Honda VTEC engine installed, turning the cheerful city car into a genuine supercar-slayer. Companies like Eagle have built an entire business around the concept, taking iconic Jaguar E-Types and completely re-engineering them with current mechanicals to create a "perfected" version of the original, for an eye-watering price.

Of course, renovation has a dark side. For every tastefully upgraded car, there is a classic ruined with hideous alloy wheels, a badly fitted body kit, and a deafening sound system. The line between enhancement and vandalism can be perilously thin. But for many, renovation represents practical salvation that keeps classic cars on the road, a pragmatic compromise that allows old cars to have a future, not just a past.

For The Record

What is a "restomod"?

It is a portmanteau of "restoration" and "modification." It refers to a car that has been restored in appearance to a high standard but has had its mechanical components significantly upgraded with modern parts for better performance, reliability, and safety.

Is renovation cheaper than restoration?

Not necessarily. While you might save money by using a modern crate engine instead of rebuilding a rare original one, a high-end renovation, with bespoke suspension and brake systems, can easily cost more than a factory-correct restoration.

Does renovating a car decrease its value?

For a rare and historically significant car, yes, always. A non-original modification will destroy its value to a serious collector. For a more common classic like a Triumph Spitfire, however, a well-executed, high-quality renovation can often make the car more desirable and valuable to a buyer who wants to use it regularly.

What is a "period modification"?

This is a grey area between restoration and renovation. It refers to fitting a car with modifications or accessories that were available and popular during the car's original production era, for example, fitting a Mini with Cooper parts or an Austin-Healey with Weber carburettors. Purists generally accept these modifications.

Is there a thriving renovation scene in the UK?

Yes, it is huge. Britain is arguably the world capital of the classic car renovation industry, with countless specialist companies that can provide everything from a modern five-speed gearbox for a Triumph TR6 to a complete, re-engineered Jaguar E-Type.