ARO is the classic Romanian workshop's native territory. We have been restoring ARO vehicles since the business opened in 2002, and our inventory of period-correct parts, consumables, and factory documentation is among the deepest in the country.
Most ARO commissions we handle are returning an M461 or 240 to daily-drivable condition for owners who want to use the vehicle regularly: off-road, as a camper, or as an unusual but dependable second car. We also take on Concours ARO restorations for collectors who recognise these vehicles as Eastern European automotive history.
Parts sourcing is our advantage. We maintain standing stock of engine consumables, brake components, drivetrain parts, and original bodywork panels for the common models. For rarer items (interior trim, headlamp assemblies for some model years, and correct-period soft-tops) we know which former ARO Câmpulung employees to call.
Flagship models
- ARO M4611964–1975The ARO we restore most often. Military lineage; full body-on restorations with original colour schemes.
- ARO 240 / 2441972–1990Civilian 4x4 variants in a wide range of body styles, including pickup, estate and enclosed.
- ARO 10 (Dacia-based)1980–2006Daily Driver and unusual restoration commissions, often from owners who want a period-correct off-roader.
- ARO 24 / 24 Lux1985–2006The refined late ARO with luxury interior options. Show Driver potential for a cult market.
Common restoration challenges
- Chassis corrosion on M461, almost universal; we treat it at bare metal before repaint
- Original military-green colour matching (paint records are sparse, so we match from surviving paint)
- Engine parts for the 2.5L inline-four (stocked on our shelves, not in catalogues)
- Interior textile sourcing for factory-correct upholstery
- Soft-top fabric specification and reproduction for M461 convertible variants
- Lighting and electrical restoration across the 6V and 12V variants of the production run
Our process for ARO
Many AROs have lived hard lives, so intake means a full-vehicle photo survey as well as a chassis-number check. We usually find unexpected welding and non-original components; we document each one and discuss how far to chase authenticity. Some owners want the car restored to factory specification and others to usable daily condition, and we take on either scope.
Typical project cost
The market values AROs lower than Western marques, so we go through the economics with each owner at intake. Most ARO commissions are labours of love.
| Tier | Indicative 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Daily Driver | from €9,000 (ARO 10, 240) |
| Show Driver | €18,000 – €42,000 (M461, 240, 244) |
| Concours | €50,000 upward (M461 matching-numbers) |
What the labour costs here vs at home
Labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, billed monthly on the hours actually worked. Workshops of comparable standard in Germany, Switzerland and the UK charge €85–130 an hour. Parts, chrome and specialist outside work cost about the same everywhere, so the saving is in the labour, and a full ARO restoration is mostly labour.
| Hours | Here€60/h + VAT | Western Europe€85–130/h |
|---|---|---|
| 500 h | €30,000saves €12,500–35,000 | €42,500–65,000 |
| 1,000 h | €60,000saves €25,000–70,000 | €85,000–130,000 |
| 1,500 h | €90,000saves €37,500–105,000 | €127,500–195,000 |
Illustrative arithmetic at the published rates, before VAT. Not a quote. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. Collection from Western Europe, the UK or the US is arranged by our transport service.
ARO FAQ
How much does an ARO M461 restoration cost?
A Daily Driver M461 restoration costs €12,000–€22,000, usually the sweet spot for these vehicles. A Show Driver M461 with a full cosmetic respray and interior restoration is €25,000–€42,000. Concours-level M461 restorations (matching numbers, factory-colour paint, NOS interior) can exceed €55,000.
Do you have parts for ARO 240 and 244?
Yes. We maintain the largest stocked inventory for ARO 240/244 in Romania. Most common service components are on our shelves, and we source rare interior trim through former ARO Câmpulung contacts.
Is it worth restoring an ARO financially?
Rarely. The international market undervalues ARO vehicles, so a Concours restoration won't recover its cost at resale. Most owners restore because they want to own and drive a specific ARO. We support that fully, and at intake we set out the cost against the likely resale value.
Can you convert an ARO to modern mechanicals?
We can, on request, fit a modern diesel and drivetrain for owners who want the vehicle reliable as a daily driver. This compromises originality, so we go through the trade-offs with you before committing.
How long does an ARO restoration take?
Daily Driver ARO work takes 4–7 months. Show Driver scope on an M461 is 8–12 months. Concours work takes 12–18 months, because parts sourcing slows the critical path more than the labour does.
Is it cheaper to restore a ARO in Romania?
Usually, for labour-heavy work. Our labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, against €85–130 in Germany, Switzerland and the UK, so the same 1,000 hours costs €60,000 here instead of €85,000–130,000. Parts cost about the same everywhere, and transport from Western Europe is a small share of the difference. We bill monthly on the hours actually worked, with supplier invoices shown on your statement.
Do I pay Romanian VAT if my car goes back to the UK, Switzerland or the US?
Normally not. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. EU clients pay Romanian VAT (21%) on the work. Your home country usually charges its own import VAT on the value of the work when the car returns, under its outward-processing rules, so plan that with your customs agent. We confirm the VAT treatment for your car with the quote.
How do I follow the restoration from abroad?
Every restoration client gets a private online tracker: each stage of the work with photos and notes, viewable from anywhere. Monthly statements list the hours and parts, and you can visit the workshop in Moara Vlăsiei, near Bucharest, by appointment at any stage.