Good news on the horizon for those who want to pick up factory-quality classic cars. According to Yahoo, GM are rumored to be opening a factory restorations service, something catered mainly to the European and Australian markets but undoubtedly likely to cause a splash in the USA. Yahoo’s report rightly notes that there isn’t much of a factory restoration industry, after all. One of the potential threats of a GM-focused overhaul of the classic car restoration scene is a reduction in productivity for independent dealers and enthusiasts; understanding the current state of classic car acceptance across the country is an important first step in assessing that risk.

Changing laws

The restoration and maintenance of classic cars has come under fire from the all-encompassing charge towards a low-carbon economy. The east and west coasts have been especially stringent, with new laws introduced in California, designed to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, already pushing up electric vehicle uptake. This hasn’t been well received all over the country; as auto magazine Jalopnik highlights, legislators in different states have outlined how they perceive these laws will have a negative impact on their own economies and auto industries. This may have an impact on the renovation of classic cars; while their vintage status means they would theoretically not be classed as ‘new’, there are issues.

Classic cars and law

Whether classic car repairs will mean the vehicle falls under new anti-ICE laws will depend on the nature of upgrades. Sensitive restorations, that use materials and recycled parts from the era itself, are likely to be able to stay out of the view of regulators. However, consistent use of modern parts might start to tip the scales in favor of being regulated under modern checklists and conditions. Accordingly, it’s important to keep an eye on just how GM is going to factory restore classic cars - will it be sensitive, or hazardous for the wider enthusiast industry?

Still growing strong

Of course, the classic car restoration hobby is going as strong as ever. The New York Times highlighted the incredible show put on in mid-August by the Great Race, an incredible show of the continued commitment and interest in the restoration practice. The danger is that the enthusiast industry gets swept up in the changes that GM are making and the move towards making restorations mainstream. On the other hand, there could be a new excess of spare parts, and the generation of new ways for enthusiasts to get their hands on classic cars and start racing or showing them.

Good and bad, then, will come as part and parcel of the industrialization of classic car restorations. It’s undoubtedly a good thing to raise the profile of the business, but it’s also potentially a big source of competition and regulatory challenges. Enthusiasts should keep an eye out, and be prepared to move with the times.