what's the difference?

[Mrs.Caveman]

might sound a silly question but if you dont ask you wont learn 
so what are the differences between pro street,pro tour,retro muscle and driver restoration?heard a lot about these but never known what they really are!

thanks

[Belgium R/T -68]

It's not a silly question Veronika, I'm looking forward to the explanations myself.

Per

[FLG]

Im sure our definitions might differ...heres my take

Pro Street - Car setup for drag racing, but also suitable for street driving, though some more suitable then others. Some might be able to run 10s or 11s in the 1/4 but may not be able to be driven on highways due to high stalls and rear end gear ratios but are fine for the street. Others might have lower gear ratios or an overdrive unit making them a good all around car or a good street car that can be driven to the track just to have some fun. Most of these would be automatic vehicles since it is the better choice for both the street and track, though they could be modified with a manual valve body. Most will run standard suspension though could be modified a bit, might be mini tubbed and have a cage in them..etc

Pro Touring- Car setup for the circuit track or some pro touring guys (Mr.Angry for example) simply drive around the US in events or other countries. These cars usually have larger rims, updated suspension and steering, and are typically manual cars (manual cars are better suited for track driving where engine braking is a benefit), updated brakes, and in some even a modern fuel injected engine, they might have a roll cage as well.

Driver restoration?? Not sure as ive never heard the term.

[bull]

I suppose some of the terms need to be identified within the context they're used but just based on face value I'll take a stab at a couple.

I'd say retro muscle would probably mean a retrospective recreation of a muscle car with overt styling queues borrowed from its nostalgic predecessor as seen in new cars such as the Challenger, Mustang, Camaro, etc. This is why we argue so much about the new "Charger" here since it uses the name but none of the nostalgic styling queues of its predecessors. Therefore it is not "retro muscle" but, putting it as nicely as I possibly can, a re-imagining of sorts. IMO Dodge producing a new "Charger" that looks like it does is like your mom setting you up on a blind date with the "nice" girl at school named Charlene, only it's not the Charlene you were hoping for; the one who's a cute and sexy cheerleader. It's the other Charlene who outweighs you by 150 lbs. and sits alone in the corner of the lunch room picking her nose. But I digress.

Driver restoration? Not totally sure what that is but my guess is that it's what I would call a rolling restoration, ie., a car that is being driven and restored on the go. Say a guy drives his 70 Roadrunner to work five days a week and one weekend he's rebuilding the heater box, the next weekend he's replacing the dash pad, the next he's overhauling the steering pump, etc., until one day there's nothing left to do. Well, actually at that point he probably starts over where he began.

[Mike DC]

                   
Pro Street = meant to go fast in a straight line.  Gigantic tires in the back, and tiny (or at least regular) tires in the front.  It can't handle in a corner to save its life but it can grip a lot of power with the back tires for a fast takeoff.


Pro Touring/G-machine = meant to go fast in all four directions.  G-machine is arguably the more uncompromised track versions and PT often refers to handling cars that have not lost all of their creature comforts.  


retro muscle = modern cars that are meant to mimic old classics.  2005+ Mustangs, 2009+ Challengers, etc.  The 2006+ Charger gets crapped on for not being nearly retro enough.  


Driver restoration = what it says.  Meant to be mainly an "old" car but tweaked to be more practical for regular street cruising.  Not quite the same thing as trying to do a 1000% factory stock restoration.  The "driver resto" probably has modern radial tires, a modern stereo, numerous mechanical hop-ups in the drivetrain & suspension, set up to run on cheap modern pump gasoline, etc.  


Restomod = restoration/modification.  Sorta like a driver restoration but taken farther.  More liberal with the appearance and options and mechanicals.  May have modern engines & suspensions fitted into the old bodystyle.  Paint/interior may be totally different from stock, wheels/tires are aftermarket, etc.  

[Cooter]

IMO, there's nothing "Pro" about any of them...The term "Pro" should mean the cars are "Professional" and there simply isn't a "Professional" street car or "Touring" car...Just simply names that have been penned by whoever over the years....MikeDC has it pretty much nailed though...

[Mrs.Caveman]

hi guys!

thanks for explaining it for me!it made it a bit more clear heheheh....

[twodko]

What Mike DC said.

Bull, you cast some light on the deep emotional scaring you've carried around all these years over the "wrong Charlene" episode in your past. Seems to me if you'd offered to sit with her and pick your noses together the outcome may not have been so traumatic.

[bull]

What Mike DC said.

Bull, you cast some light on the deep emotional scaring you've carried around all these years over the "wrong Charlene" episode in your past. Seems to me if you'd offered to sit with her and pick your noses together the outcome may not have been so traumatic.

You might be right. However, I've always been one to strive for high standards when it comes to both Chargers and Charlenes. Either one will get you from point A to point B (however you want to apply that metaphor) but why settle for mediocrity when you can attain the best?

[ITSA426]

Looks to me like the difference is defined in dollars, but there is probably more to say.

[twodko]

Well said Bull!

[Brock Samson]

 Mine's a driver restoration. Done my way mostly by me.

[John_Kunkel]

IMO, there's nothing "Pro" about any of them...The term "Pro" should mean the cars are "Professional" and there simply isn't a "Professional" street car or "Touring" car

I don't think the terms are meant to be taken literally but mean the cars "mimic" pro-built. (as opposed to factory built)