Modifying Your Classic – Is the Juice Ever Worth the Squeeze?

One of the many advantages that older cars have over brand spankers is their customisability and their predilection for modification. Yes, you can modify new cars, of course, but it’s a lot more difficult, generally speaking, and most newer mods will no doubt have to be fitted at the factory, or at the very least by a qualified professional, such is the complicated nature of the modern automobile. Not so with classics though. With a decent set of tools, a little know how and a healthy dose of willing, most people can start changing, improving, modifying and customising their own cars and bikes until their hearts are very much content.

Some would argue that it’s an intrinsic part of owning and maintaining a classic car, ourselves included, and we believe it’s not so far removed from general, everyday servicing and maintenance, and in some cases wholly necessary. Modifying an older car’s fuel system to run on more contemporary injection rather than a janky old unreliable carburettor setup, for instance, is one such example of the hundreds we could potentially list here.

But what of the likely ramification of such spannering? Does modifying your classic car improve its worth or do such modifications limit the number of potential buyers and harm the vehicle’s resale value? Well the answer is… it all depends.

Getting back what you put in is a discussion that goes back to the very first days of car and bike customisation, with many debating whether it’s better to just leave it be or simply buy a vehicle that’s already at the spec and level of performance you want, rather than trying to do it all yourself by modifying a stock example, and while there is some merit to that particular argument, we can’t help but feel that it’s rather missing the point.

You see, for us it’s not just about the end result. Yes, a large part of the process is having the car you want when all’s said and done but for many it’s the journey rather than the destination that’s the draw, and it’s often an incredibly strong one. There are also the costs to consider. Modifying a car can be (and by ‘can be’ we mean absolutely is) an expensive business and doing it yourself over the course of months, years or even decades can help to spread that cost, breaking it down into more manageable chunks. Think of it as an automotive mortgage – you pay a little each month instead of a whopping great outlay all at once, allowing for slow and steady expenditure over time, somewhat lessening the financial burden yet still allowing you to enjoy the spoils.

Then there’s the ownership aspect as well. Customising or modifying a car or motorbike to your own tastes allows you to put your own stamp on it, making it much more personal thing and deepening your emotional connection to the vehicle in the process. On top of all that you’ll learn new skills as well, and the sense of accomplishment one feels as a by product of the work is its own reward.

Of course it absolutely depends on the vehicle in question, too. A lot of classics should never be messed with and you’re hardly going to stick a huge carbon fibre rear wing on the back of an E-Type or strap a supercharger to a 2CV (although we’re not judging if you do, in fact, want to do either of those things). ‘Tastefully modified’ is always preferable to a Max Power Halfords special, so there are a few things to consider when it comes to recouping any of that aforementioned cost. It’s true that most buyers prefer unmodified cars, and cosmetic changes can often negatively impact value (we’re looking at you poorly fitted body kits and dodgy rattle can paint jobs), but done properly and professionally with well-executed care and attention, modifying your car can potentially increase its desirability and therefore its value to the right buyer.

And that’s really what it comes down to; your personal preference on the one hand and your desire to see a return on investment on the other, if there even is one. Balancing the two is the ideal but it all depends on what you’re hoping to get out of it all in the end. If you do decide to modify though, regardless of your future plans, ensure you use quality parts from reputable manufacturers and as a general rule it’s always a good idea to retain the original bits and bobs so that any modifications can be reversed in the future if needs be. Try to focus on performance enhancements rather than cosmetic customisation, too. Physically and objectively making a vehicle perform better is typically always preferable to any aesthetic amendments as style is subjective and where taste differ most. One person’s trash and all that…

Try to think about what’s best for the car, rather than your own personal tastes as much as possible. A professional ECU remap, for example, may increase overall performance, drive-ability and fuel economy – enhancements that most buyers can appreciate, but those wonky, poorly painted neon pink racing stripes on the bonnet? Not so much.

You also need to consider the long-term impact of any modifications on your insurance and any warranties involved, as well as the actual integrity of the vehicle. Non-manufacturer mods can invalidate a car’s warranty, as well as any insurance policies if not fully declared, so be aware if you’re thinking about going down the modifying route.

Personally speaking, I love modifying old cars. From fitting a more ergonomic steering wheel to improving the braking and suspension components, fettling is just par for the course for me. Granted, the cars I tend to own and drive nowadays perhaps lend themselves more graciously to such shenanigans but the scope for this kind of thing extends to most makes and models. From replacing the exhausts on my old E39 BMW M5 with some beautifully sonorous Hayward and Scott back boxes, to fitting lowered suspension to my Volvo 940 Turbo estate, I don’t think I’ve ever left a car in the same state of tune as when I bought it. And so to answer the question posed at the beginning of this ramble; yes, to me the juice has always been worth the squeeze.