By Tim Harris · February 27, 2026
“Where horsepower meets conversation”
Let me tell you how this usually works.
I write something slightly controversial.
Half of you nod along.
The other half start mentally drafting your response before you reach paragraph three.
And honestly… that’s exactly how it should be.
Because the best conversations in car culture don’t happen when everyone agrees.
They happen when smart enthusiasts push back — respectfully, intelligently, and with real experience behind their opinions.
That’s exactly what happened this week.
After publishing my take that the restomod boom is likely a generational wave — not a permanent category — reader Dave sent an email that didn’t just respond…
…it made the discussion better.
So instead of doubling down or writing a rebuttal, I thought we’d do something more fun:
Let’s continue the conversation together.
Quick Recap: The Original “Restomods Are a Moment” Argument
My original thesis was simple:
Restomods are incredible.
But the current explosion of ultra-high-end restomods — especially $500K to $2M reinterpretations — isn’t timeless.
It’s generational.
Boomers and Gen X grew up dreaming about:
air-cooled Porsches
carburetors
mechanical steering
raw, imperfect driving feel
Now they’re in peak earning years.
Add boutique builders, bespoke craftsmanship, and social media amplification…
…and you get a golden era.
But golden eras don’t last forever.
And that’s where Dave entered the chat.
Dave’s Reality Check: Taste Isn’t Inherited
Dave opened with something that immediately hit:
When people get older they tend to want the cars they craved but couldn’t afford when they were young. I was lucky — I could barely afford a new 911 in my twenties, and I still love the same cars today.
This highlights two types of enthusiasts:
those chasing nostalgia
and those continuing a lifelong relationship with the same machines.
Then came the generational truth bomb:
My stepson drives an Audi SUV and is unlikely to want either of my ‘73s when I’m gone.
Taste isn’t inherited.
It’s imprinted.
Usually between ages 15 and 25.
And that imprint lasts.
The Word “Analog” — And Why We Probably Use It Wrong
Dave’s most valuable contribution might have been defining what “analog” actually means:
Strictly speaking, an analog system responds smoothly and continuously to a continuously varying input… Conventional power steering, carburetors, MFI, CIS — all analog systems.
Then he added something enthusiast culture often forgets:
Digital systems aren’t inherently worse. Microprocessors often make systems simpler and more flexible, and the difference may not even be visible to the user.
So when enthusiasts say “analog,” they usually mean:
fewer screens
fewer distractions
less mediation between driver and machine.
It’s less a technical definition…
and more an emotional shorthand.
Singer — Admiration vs Ownership
Dave’s take on Singer was quietly perfect:
Would I want a Singer? Sure… But then I recall that the Singer is trying to emulate, with refinements, the cars I already have and drive.
Singer builds extraordinary cars.
But they’re also building curated nostalgia — a distilled version of an era.
If you already own the original?
You may admire the reinterpretation without needing to own it.
Why Some Enthusiasts Prefer Stock
Dave reinforced something many overlook:
Serviceability matters.
When people show me modified long-nose 911s… I say “I like stock.”
His philosophy:
reversible upgrades
minimal permanent modification
factory documentation still applies.
Because ultimately:
A restomod is someone else’s vision of perfection.
And years later, you’re the one maintaining that vision.
The Real Debate Underneath All of This
Restomods aren’t just engineering exercises.
They’re identity statements.
They say:
“This is the ultimate version of this car.”
But ultimate according to who?
The builder?
The owner?
The era?
Dave represents another path:
Evolution without rewriting history.
And that might be the most timeless philosophy of all.
So Was the Original Argument Right?
Dave ended his email with:
I think you’re spot on with your analysis.
But the real takeaway isn’t agreement.
It’s refinement.
Restomods aren’t a fad.
But this current restomod moment probably is.
Driven by:
generational wealth
shared nostalgia
and a collective idea of perfection tied to a specific era.
And eventually — as always — the hobby evolves.
Let’s Keep This Conversation Going
One of the best parts of this community is that nobody sees cars exactly the same way — and honestly, if everyone agreed, this would get boring fast.
So I’m curious:
👉 Are restomods the ultimate expression of enthusiasm… or a peak shaped by one generation?
👉 When you say “analog,” what do you actually mean?
👉 And here’s the dangerous one:
If budget didn’t matter — Singer, stock longhood, or something completely different — where are you putting your money?
Hit reply and tell me.
I read every response — and some of the best future articles start exactly like Dave’s email did.
— Tim Harris
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