As I begin the process of searching for my first airhead I've enjoyed seeing the restoration work to return these beauties to their original condition. I've also noted that detailed discussion of at least the middle years, say 70's and 80's airheads often point out the various practical limitations of components like brakes, suspension and electronics compared to newer technologies.
After watching many years of Barrett Jackson auctions where 60's and 70's muscle cars were restored cosmetically but with updated suspensions, brakes and often engines, so called "RESTOMODS" I wondered what "new" technology could be added as part of a restoration to accomplish similar performance improvements.
Now...I fully understand that this is NOT the same as restoration to "as new but original" and my purpose in posting is not to start a debate of the merits of restoration vs restomodding. My primary purpose is simply to understand:
1. Which components "could" be updated from a physical and practical point of view? Please give specific product recommendation for the components you'd replace if possible.
2. What, in order of importance, given #1, would be the things this forum's users feel would be the priorities
3. How cost effective would these improvements be vs restoring "as originally new"
Let me also state that engine/powertrain aren't my initial thoughts in this post. I have seen discussion elsewhere about carburation and cams and am happy to hear about ideas, and again be as product specific as possible, in these areas but its primarily the other matters that prompted the post.
Thanks in advance for the education I'm sure to get.
Randy in Florida
After watching many years of Barrett Jackson auctions where 60's and 70's muscle cars were restored cosmetically but with updated suspensions, brakes and often engines, so called "RESTOMODS" I wondered what "new" technology could be added as part of a restoration to accomplish similar performance improvements.
Now...I fully understand that this is NOT the same as restoration to "as new but original" and my purpose in posting is not to start a debate of the merits of restoration vs restomodding. My primary purpose is simply to understand:
1. Which components "could" be updated from a physical and practical point of view? Please give specific product recommendation for the components you'd replace if possible.
2. What, in order of importance, given #1, would be the things this forum's users feel would be the priorities
3. How cost effective would these improvements be vs restoring "as originally new"
Let me also state that engine/powertrain aren't my initial thoughts in this post. I have seen discussion elsewhere about carburation and cams and am happy to hear about ideas, and again be as product specific as possible, in these areas but its primarily the other matters that prompted the post.
Thanks in advance for the education I'm sure to get.
Randy in Florida
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