Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today

From JDM cars to classic European supercars, the foreign restomod market is bigger and cooler than ever.

Customizing cars has existed since cars havThed. In fact, the Hot-Rod trend started way before World War 2, but it was put on pause when the war broke out. Following the war, several movements such as lowriders mushroomed. Today, it is possible to turn any car into something out of this world. In the past couple of years, car fans were given the chance to watch a Bentley Continental on tank tracks and six-wheeled pickup trucks with the power of a supercar.

RELATED: 10 Shops That Build Some Serious Restomods

The restomodding trend has been well and alive for over a century. While not all restomod builds are created equal, some of the coolest restomods car tuners ever made have inspired carmakers to include retro elements in newer cars.

Created in 1963 to rival Ferrari, Lamborghini has manufactured some of the craziest performance cars of the last 60 years. From the 350 GT to the more recent Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae, Lamborghini showed times and times again that Italy is home to the most aggressive and exclusive vehicles in the world. However, to some car fans, a stock classic Lamborghini simply was not enough.

This insane Espada is one of the best restomods based on European cars gearheads have ever seen. Customized to an extreme level, this rat rod Espada used to belong to former British model and petrol head Elo. Built by Danton Art Kustoms in France, the Espada maintained its original 3.9L V12. It may be the only thing left untouched on this doomsday-ready Espada.

The Japanese automobile industry was once perceived as irrelevant by American and European enthusiasts alike. More than 65 years after their introduction in foreign markets, Japanese car companies have shown numerous times that their vehicles are worth checking. As a matter of fact, a decent number of Japanese-made vehicles are now perceived as legends. Several Datsuns are among them.

The Datsun Z-Series is made of some of the most revered Japanese classic cars. However, they tend to be a bit slow compared to more modern sports cars. The original engine gave way to a much more potent 2.8L inline-six unit that pumps out 310 hp. More importantly, this 240Z was not modified in ways that would undermine the car's original aura.

Purists tend to get panic attacks whenever they stumble across modified cars that are known to be fairly rare and valuable. While a regular 1971 Camaro SS with a plethora of aftermarket parts may not necessarily be an issue, things become hostile when cars such as the Lancia 037 Stradale end up between the hands of a demented tuner.

The Lancia 037 Stradale was built solely to tear up the track. In order to take part in professional racing, Lancia had to build a minimum number of units for homologation purposes. With only 207 models made between 1982 and 1984, it would be an offense to customize such a rare and legendary sports car. However, Kimera Automobili revisited the 037 by, first, adding a turbocharger to the already supercharged 2.1L four-cylinder engine. Producing 500 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, the 037 is an absolute beast. A $585,000 beast.

As much as 95% of vehicles lose almost half their value as soon as they leave the dealership. Very few brands on the market see their vehicles depreciate at a slow pace, or on the contrary, appreciate as time goes on. In most cases, brands such as Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, or Ferrari tend to manufacture vehicles that maintain their value over time. Consequently, a restomod based on cars made by the aforementioned brands is bonkers.

RELATED: Check Out This Fascinating Ferrari 250 SWB Restomod By GTO Engineering

British tuner Moto Technique focuses essentially on classic high-end sports cars from yesteryear. The shop built a gorgeous 308 GTB that comes with improved handling, braking, and power. Moreover, the car was given some aesthetic enhancements that give it a conservative yet unique style. This particular 308GTB comes with a stage 2 3.8L Ferrari V8.

In most recent years, shops globally have started restomodding German cars. Whether it is the 1972 BMW 2002 restomod featured on Jay Leno's Garage or the bagged right-hand drive 1972 Mercedes 280 on Hoonigan, classic German cars are getting tons of attention. However, it seems that older Porsche cars have garnered quite a fan base.

Dubbed the 400R, this 993 is one of the stunningly gorgeous restomod Porsches gearheads would love to own. Created by Huntington Beach-based tuner Gunther Werks, the 400R comes with a naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six engine that pumps out 431 hp and 312 lb-ft of torque. Although the engine is indeed the main course, the 400R includes a plethora of high-end aftermarket parts that justify the $700,000 price tag.

The United Kingdom is home to the coolest rock bands and milky tea. The country is also the birthplace of the fictional character James Bond. Being a gentleman and a scholar, James Bond only cruises around in the nicest cars. When it comes to cars, the United Kingdom has plenty to offer to gentlemen. Classic cars like the Jaguar E-Type belong to a country club, or a fancy car meet.

RELATED: This Jaguar XK120 EV Restomod By Lunaz Design Is Simply Breathtaking

In recent years, several tuners have developed a liking for the Jaguar E-Type as a restomod project base. Helm Motorcars, based in Hedgerley in the United Kingdom, is one of them. The company specializes in building restomodded E-Types that even purists would drool over. The original 3.8L inline-six engine was improved to crank out 300 hp at the wheels. The interior of Helm's work of art embodies British elegance.

Nowadays, the market for SUVs and other off-road-ready passenger vehicles has plenty to offer. Whether it is Dodge, Porsche, or Lamborghini, SUVs are now a dime a dozen. While the newer off-road vehicles are outstanding, they do not have that thing that older off-road vehicles emanate. With that said, most classic off-road vehicles must undergo serious work to become head-turners.

Based out of Thirsk in the United Kingdom, Twisted Automotive specializes in turning classic Defenders into luxurious and powerful monsters. This particular Defender 110 comes with a turbocharged 2.2L diesel engine that pumps out 170 hp. For people looking for far more power, Twisted Automotive also offers a 6.2L V8 that produces up to 430 hp.

It is often wrongly believed that a restomod build must be as insane as Ringbrothers' Mustang Mach 1. While the Mach 1 is one of the coolest restomods out there, sometimes less can be more. Several tuners have embraced a much more conservative way of giving these oldies a second life. At first sight, these modified classics seem restored. However, they tend to pack more goodies than one might expect.

Mechatronik is one of Germany's most interesting tuners. Its creations are made in a way that preserves the essence of the Mercedes cars they modify. Looking as if they were simply restored, these cars are basically sleepers. This 1970 W111 280 SE comes with the more modern M113 V8 found on several Mercedes cars of the late '90s and early 2000s. Rated at 360 hp, this M-Coupe 550 would surprise the most observant gearheads out there.

Following World War 2, Toyota was on the verge of bankruptcy. Things were grim until the Korean War broke out. Needing a vehicle similar to the Jeep Willys, the US government requested Toyota to build a light off-road vehicle. Though it was not a Land Cruiser, this request paved the way for the creation of the actual Land Cruiser. More than 60 years later, the Land Cruiser remains one of the best off-road vehicles ever made.

RELATED: V8-Swapped 1971 Toyota Land Cruiser Is Off-Road Restomod Perfection

Located in Harrisburg, NC, TLC Automotive gives old Toyota off-road vehicles a second life. Toyota's oldest off-road vehicle, namely the Land Cruiser, underwent some tremendous changes once it entered TLC Automotive's shop. Underneath the hood sits a 6.2L LS3 V8 capable of producing 430 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. That is a lot of power for a classic Toyota Land Cruiser.

Swedish vehicles are not always the first choice when it comes to a base for a sick build. However, both Saab and Volvo cars have been tuned to insane levels for decades. In fact, Volvo cars make some of the best sleepers out there. Realizing what was going on in the car scene, Cyan Racing developed an insane build that looks nothing like a sleeper.

Cyan Racing is the motorsport division of Volvo. Wanting to do something special, the team developed this beautifully restomodded Volvo P1800. The P1800 comes with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that pumps out a staggering 413 hp and 336 lb-ft of torque. Cyan Racing's Volvo P1800 restomod is something truly special.

Max Veron is an avid fan of anything equipped with a powerful engine. Spending time between Southeast Asia, Europe and the US, Max is travel bug with a great taste for cars.