10-02-2025
This Auto Shop in Lebanon Builds the Wackiest Old-to-New Car Conversions
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Ever wanted to make your 15-year-old luxury car look like a brand-new version? First off, weird. Secondly, we've got a guy for that: Auto Tuning Lebanon.
This business based in Habbouch, Lebanon is consistently posting its intriguing builds and going viral on TikTok and other social media sites. The main draw is how, on occasion, this shop puts together a legitimately convincing transformation of a couple-decade-old luxury car into a new one that could be sitting on the dealer lot.
Take this G-wagen, for example. Auto Tuning Lebanon completely strips the tired-looking 2002 G of all its body panels before going in with metal fabrication tools to modify the vehicle so you can mount the 2024-spec panels on it. A new matte black paint job gives it the fresh look we're sure they're going for — but it's the dead-accurate AMG bumpers, new lights, proper fenders, real mirrors and all the other little details that would have many thinking this legitimately is a new G-Class.
There are numerous builds just like this one visible on Auto Tuning Lebanon's social media channels. Most of them are luxury cars from the 2000s or 2010s, with a heavy emphasis on Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW models. Not all of them are as convincing as the G above, though, as a quick scroll through the page's history will show the shop's progression from its less professional start to the in-depth resto-modding they're capable of now.
Some of the wildest transformations are on the inside of the cars, however. The G-wagen build referenced earlier sees the entire interior stripped out and replaced with screens, switchgear and other parts from a modern G. Mercedes and car nerds alike will surely notice the differences, but it's still a comprehensive job of making an early 2000s interior appear like a new one.
For cars that don't get the fully-gutted treatment, Auto Tuning Lebanon will still swap out clusters and infotainment systems for modernized versions. How many of the features actually function properly (or at all) is an open question, but the look is certainly convincing.
The reality behind all of this effort is that underneath the new appearance is a car that likely has a lot of miles and all the wear and tear associated with it. The videos never detail engine work or suspension refreshes alongside all the aesthetic updates, but we've reached out to the shop to see what there might be to learn about its restoration methods.
You might be wondering at this point... why go to all the effort? Presumably, the main motivation is financial: it's undoubtedly cheaper to buy a worn-out luxury car, find parts that mimic the OEM bits, then use a whole lot of creativity to fit them all together than it is to go out and buy the actual new car — perfect for anyone who wants to look like a baller without needing to fork out the cash. Putting even this much money into a car that might need other expensive repairs in the near future is a big gamble, but there must be buyers, with how many conversions this shop has done so far.
Give Auto Tuning Lebanon's TikTok page (or, if you prefer, their Instagram account or Facebook page) a scroll and see what you think of the shop's efforts. Even if the end result is questionable, the process and results sure are a wonder to watch.
You Might Also Like
You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox
Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners
The Man Who Signs Every Car
