5 Companies That Make Classic Car Bodies When The Automakers Won't

Key Points:

• Restoring classic cars presents significant challenges, particularly in sourcing original or reproduction parts and panels, with some automakers like Jaguar and Stellantis providing heritage parts, while others rely on specialist companies or aftermarket producers, including emerging Chinese manufacturers.
• High-end reproductions, such as those by English specialist GTO Engineering, recreate rare Ferrari 250 models with prices around $1 million, offering a more accessible alternative to originals that can sell for over $10 million, though production has ceased to focus on servicing originals.
• American firm Superformance produces faithful and modernized replicas of iconic '60s performance cars like Shelby Cobras and Ford GT40s, using composite materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, with prices ranging from $90,000 to over $200,000.
• Florida-based Real Deal Steel specializes in reproducing classic American body panels and complete bodies for models such as Chevy and Firebird, using spot welds to mimic factory finishes, with prices varying from $11,000 for race-use bodies to higher for standard versions.
• Chinese company Jiangsu Juncheng Vehicle Industry Co. offers a wide range of classic car bodies, including rare models like the Toyota AE86 and Ford Bronco, at competitive prices around $20,000, though potential legal and tariff issues should be considered; meanwhile, British Motor Heritage produces factory-accurate shells for select British classics, priced between $16,000 and $23,000.