I gave serious thought to a number of restorations and resto-mods when I was shopping. I ended up with an '18 Challenger M6 Scat Pack. In almost every way better, more powerful, more refined, better handling, more comfortable, more capable, and more reliable than any of the older options except for one aspect. Character. The older cars have character the new ones will never capture. A close friend has an older Z28 which I could leave in the dust on any drag strip or twisty road, In no way can consider driving it a lesser experience, just a different experience. I think that is what I call character. More visceral, more connected directly to the road, something the older cars have.
Your posts reminded me of a '74(?) Pontiac Grand Prix Model J (not SJ) with 100,000 miles I got from an estate for $500 back in about 1990. I dumped about $5,000 into it over the next few weeks in a renovation, then drove it another 100,000 miles in the next 4 years. It is one of the most enjoyable daily drivers I ever had. And I got $500 for it when I wore it out. That car did have character.
