# Celebrities Think They Want Classic Cars. The Man Who Built Theirs Says They Don't

> Celebrities want classic cars but the man who built their modern versions says they don't actually want the old experience.
- Title: Celebrities Think They Want Classic Cars. The Man Who Built…
- Summary: Celebrities want classic cars but the man who built their modern versions says they don't actually want the old experience. Chau Nguyen, founder of Vintage…
- Keywords: vintage modern, chau nguyen, restomod, classic cars, modern cars, safety features, lebron james, federal motor vehicle safety standards, fmvss, crash testing, The Drive
- Source: The Drive — https://thedrive.com/podcast/celebrities-think-they-want-classic-cars-the-man-who-built-theirs-says-they-dont
- Author: Joel Feder
- Published: 2026-11-04T18:57:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: vintage modern, chau nguyen, restomod, classic cars, modern cars, safety features, lebron james, federal motor vehicle safety standards, fmvss, crash testing, cars, technology
## The Business of High-End Car Restorations
The business of high-end car restorations is extremely competitive and booming.
## Reverse Restomods Explained
Reverse restomods turn new vehicles into classic-looking cars with modern safety features.
## Why Celebrities Don't Want Classic Cars
Celebrities don't want the smell, functionality, or reliability of classic cars but just the look.
## Chau Nguyen's Background
Chau Nguyen is the founder and CEO of Vintage Modern, a company that makes modern classic-inspired cars.
## The Safety Concern
Nguyen says safety is critical for wealthy buyers who have kids and families.
## LeBron James Experience
Nguyen delivered a Vintage Modern truck to LeBron James and worried about safety.
## The Inflection Point
Nguyen realized customers wanted modern cars with safety features, not classic cars.
## FMVSS Compliance
Vintage Modern vehicles pass FMVSS compliance, including crash tests with dummies.
## The Demographic Shift
The market shifted from men to women, with 60% of customers being women.
## The Price Point
Vintage Modern cars cost over $250,000 and target high-end luxury buyers.
## The Product Evolution
Vintage Modern moved from restoring classic cars to building modern classic-inspired vehicles.
## The Crash Test
Vintage Modern vehicles undergo crash tests to ensure safety and FMVSS compliance.
## The Market Shift
The market for modern classic cars has grown rapidly with over 150,000 vehicles sold annually.
## The Demographic Shift
The market shifted from men to women, with 60% of customers being women.
## The Product's Future
Vintage Modern plans to continue building modern classic-inspired vehicles for high-end buyers.
## The Consequence
Vintage Modern has created a new market segment for modern classic cars with safety features.
## Key takeaway

Chau Nguyen, founder of Vintage Modern, explains celebrities don't want classic cars but need modern safety features.