We perform custom tuning on fuel injected cars, as well as oxygen-sensor measured tuning on carbureted rides as well. If you need a custom tune, we can help! The more we know about your particular car, engine, and driveline combination, the quicker we can focus on tuning it. Please take a moment to fill out this form so we can get a better understanding of your car, engine, and tune needs. Thank you!
We’re big fans of first generation Camaros here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Today we’re taking a look at 5 of our favorite restomod First Gen Camaros built here in our shop, in no particular order.
First up is a 1969 Camaro named Lou’s Change. The goal for this car was to combine modern Camaro styling and performance with the classic look of the ‘69. Dan Steinhauser created the rendering, complete with a modern ZL-1 style hood with carbon fiber insert and a 3D printed grille.
We performed all the metalwork in-house, including fabrication of the custom hood, and installation of all new floors, quarter panels, tail panel, fenders, and more. Lou’s Change rides on a complete Detroit Speed suspension front and rear. Deep tubs were installed to accommodate the Toyo R888 tires wrapped around Forgeline wheels. The engine is a modified supercharged GM LSA 6.2L V8 making approximately 630 HP, backed by a 6-speed manual transmission. The car was sprayed in Mars Red, with a black ZL1 stripe. It was a feature car at the SEMA show, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, and in Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine.
This ‘69 Camaro is owned by one of the best names in performance parts, COMP Cams! When it needed a refresh, we were honored that they sent it to us at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop. Upgrades include a Heidt’s front subframe and tubular suspension and rear 4-link system supporting the Currie rear axle. Power comes from is a Butler-LS built LS 454 making 690 HP, and a TCI 6X 6-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears. The interior features Distinctive Industries Touring II seats, Dakota Digital gauges, and Vintage Air A/C.
This next Camaro is another ‘69, but it’s an all-new car with nearly 100% aftermarket parts. We utilized a new Camaro shell, added some bigger wheel tubs, subframe connectors, and a complete Detroit Speed suspension system. Power comes from a MAST Motorsports LS7 based 427 topped with an LS9 supercharger making over 800 horsepower with a 6-speed manual transmission. Inside you’ll find a full leather and carbon fiber interior, with speedhut gauges, Vintage Air, and high-end audio in a custom dash. The color is Corvette ZR1 Jetstream blue, which really makes the polished trim and Forgeline wheels stand out.
The goal of the Reloaded Camaro was to create a modern version of the dealer supercars from the late 1960s, like the 427 Camaros built by Yenko and Nickey Chevrolet. The original front subframe was modified with a Detroit Speed coilover suspension, while a QUADRALink rear suspension was added for far better traction. While the body was being massaged to perfection, our friends at Fast Times Motorworks assembled a 490 cubic inch roller cam V8. The engine is super clean, with satin colors that compliment the exterior with no messy wires or hoses. The transmission is a TCI 4L80E automatic overdrive.
This one came to us with a stock suspension system, and a carbureted big block Chevy engine, but the owner wanted more… of everything. The first time the car was here we installed a whole Detroit Speed suspension system front and rear, and an EFI system on the big block Chevy. Bigger Baer brakes were added, and a new set of Forgeline wheels was custom made for the car. The handling and braking improvements were huge, but after a bit, the owner wanted the smooth power of a supercharged dry-sump LT4 engine, so the car came back to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for round 2! Stock LT4s are powerful, but this one is making north of 750 HP with upgraded pulleys, valve springs, and injectors. Of course, we also build less radical Camaros, but we’re always looking to push the envelope of performance and creativity. What ideas do you have for your ideal Camaro? Contact us at www.v8speedshop.com today, we’d love to bring those ideas to life!
817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278
Author: Michael Clarke
Content: Awesome examples of first gen F-bodies. I’ve been fortunate enough to see a few of these Camaros up close and the video doesn’t do them justice. They’re that good.
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Author: Plymouth Die-Cast Replicas
Content: It’s great to hear Kevin’s commentary again! He has swallowed the dictionary. Awesome Camaros, guys! I love that blue ZR9. Absolutely wonderful machine.
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Author: Jason Hull
Content: The true heart of muscle cars and hot rodding. These are absolutely stunning examples. The level of craftsmanship and detail is above top shelf. Another well deserved hat tip to that remarkable team !
And for the record 15 minutes is the perfect length video for the octane junkie’s lunch break ! Haha 🍻
🇺🇸💪👍
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Author: William Wright
Content: You guys just do awesome work! I am beyond thrilled, to know my car is in good hands!
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Author: Paul M
Content: Beautiful , I take the red one 😇. I would only want it without the supercharger as the naturally aspirated LS is plenty powerful and reliable for daily use. Great builds regardless
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Author: Primoz Krajcar
Content: Those are some bad ass machines. Can you do a similar list on the Corvettes? Top Corvette builds and then go to top Dodge builds and top Mustang builds. I already envision a series here! 🙂
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Author: Lawrence Atwood
Content: I am fortunate enough to “Drive it like I stole it!!” Thanks for the awesome work V8 Speed Shop Team!
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Author: Gary Keenan
Content: Loose Change is a work of art past n present nicely done!!! Comp convertible is a powerhouse would be fun laying down some pavement black marks!!!
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Author: Heavy Pedal Garage
Content: Pure awesome! Gotta love the F bodies! I’ve got a second gen firebird that I’m restomodding over on my channel. I dream of doing a first gen one of these days. Thanks for sharing such amazing cars in some really cool videos. Motivation and inspiration!
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Author: chisel83
Content: Awesome video guys. Happy holidays from south Australia 🇦🇺
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Author: Justin Opinion
Content: You had me at “Camaros”… but then you had to go and make it an awesome video anyway!
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Author: Johnny Hot rod
Content: Love your work
If I ever hit the lottery you guys can do my 67-LT4 with a 6 speed my dream
And fix all my bad gaps
One can dream…
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Author: Calvin Cooley
Content: As far as ideas go I have many! Lol that’s not to be confused with money!
Here is one for the one with the stack.
A modern Nomad-ish build using a base of one 78 to 87 Malibu wagon and some El Camino doors & glass. Maybe a Monte SS nose.
Cut the B pillars, fab some jambs and …….El Mad!
You get the picture I’m sure.
You’re welcome.
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Author: Calvin Cooley
Content: When the hammer falls so do the jaws.
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Author: Tom Wagner
Content: Tesla eat you heart out
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Author: Bruce H.
Content: “We used an all new body on this one”. Really, aftermarket?
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Author: HEY BERT 1984
Content: Cool 70 imp in the background at :21 what are you folks doing to that. I have a 70 myself that i ls3 swapped
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Author: Turbo Lives In my heart
Content: Agh- I can’t breathe
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Author: Big Sexy Muthashutyomouth
Content: Beautiful vehicles gentlemen! The ZR9 has to be my favorite one of all!!!!
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There are lots of terms to describe classic and muscle cars these days, especially when it comes to those that have been modified. In this video, we explore the differences between stock original cars, restored cars, and modified cars… specifically those muscle cars modified in the Resto Mod, Pro Touring, and Pro Street styles. What are these styles? What does each need to have? What defines them? Watch and see.
Here’s the link to the comparison chart mentioned in the video:
If you’ve got a classic, muscle car, Resto Mod, Pro Touring, or Pro Street car that needs some modifications or performance improvements, we’re happy to chat about it! You can reach us at www.v8speedshop.com today.
314.783.8325
Be sure to subscribe to the V8TV channel: SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS
#protouring #restomod #prostreet #original #restored
Quarter panels are the large, steel body panels that reach from the trailing edge of the door to the rear taillight panel, and from the roof down to the lower rocker panel and wheel opening on a Classic or Muscle Car.
Quarter panels are integral structural parts of the car, and play a significant role in the construction, strength, and safety of the car’s body and chassis. Some cars, like Chevrolet Camaros, are not body-on-frame construction, meaning the body itself is the main structure of the car. These are known as “unit-body” or “unibody” designs, and are also found in Pontiac Firebirds, Chevrolet Novas, Dodge Challengers, Plymouth Roadrunners, Ford Mustangs, and many other popular classic and Muscle Cars.
Over time, quarter panels are prone to wear, rust, and crash damage, and are often in need of repair or replacement. Many new reproduction quarter panels exist for popular cars. When new panels are not available, original equipment panels can often be sourced from a donor car, reconditioned, and installed on another car… if done properly. Continue reading for the details!
Continue reading “Elements of Proper Quarter Panel Replacement at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”
High-pressure fuel systems required by Electronic Fuel Injection systems pose a possible safety threat should the car ever be involved in an impact. We like to install Inertia Fuel Cutoff Switches in the EFI retrofits performed at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. The Fuel Cutoff Switch turns off the fuel pump in an impact to prevent dangerous high-pressure gasoline spraying on a hot engine and causing a fire. Continue reading for the video!
Continue reading “Inertia Fuel Cutoff Switches on Retrofit Fuel Injection Installs at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”
A great way to fit a larger rear tire on a pro-touring, drag race, or restomod Mustang, Camaro, or other Muscle Car is to perform a mini tub install. Mini tubs are larger rear wheel houses that allow for wider rear tires which provide more traction when you’ve added more power to the engine. We install lots of mini tubs at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, and we share some mini tub install tips in this video.
One way to widen the rear wheel tub is to slice it down the middle, narrow the trunk floor, move the inner tub inboard, and weld in a steel strip to close the gap in the wheel houses. Today, pre-made mini tubs are available from companies like Detroit Speed for the following cars:
Drilling, cutting, trimming, and welding skills and tools are required to install mini tubs, along with a complete disassembly of the interior and trunk items. Rear leaf springs need to be moved inboard to accommodate wider tires, or a 4-link suspension system can be installed.
If you are having a traction problem and want larger tires to make your muscle car launch harder or stick in the turns, we can help! We invite you to contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop anytime at 314.783.8325 for a mini tub install or any other rust repair, metal fabrication, or custom work your car needs!
Sometimes it’s not an option to repaint a classic or muscle car. It might be cost prohibitive, or the car might be wearing original paint that is not completely worn away. In this video, we show some techniques to revive faded or original paint using polishing techniques, using a 1966 Ford Mustang GT 289 and a 1963 Imperial Crown convertible as our examples.
The process Is often called “cutting and buffing” and can start with wet sanding with a very fine grit of sandpaper, like 1000 grit or even finer. The process is repeated with finer and finer grits of sandpaper, reaching 2500 or even up to 5000 grit. This process removes heavier dust and debris contaminants, and also helps level the paint.
In our two examples, we did not wish to use a sanding process, and decided to go straight to polishing. There are various types of polishing pads, with more aggressive wool or foam pads used for cutting, and finer foam pads used for polishing. There are also various compounds which again use a different abrasive to achieve their goals.
Both the 1966 Ford Mustang and the 1963 Imperial Crown convertible responded very well to polishing techniques. The Mustang had been repainted in the past, and suffered largely from stained, faded, and dull paint. The Imperial, on the other hand, was wearing its original paint, so we had to be conservative on our approach as we did not burn or damage the brittle original finish.
In the end, both cars improved drastically and benefited from the polishing exercise done at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Today, they are both shiny and respectable-looking, without the time and investment of a complete repaint.
If you have a car with dead paint, we are happy to chat about performing this process for you. You can reach us at https://www.v8speedshop.com/contact today!
We recap our trip to the 2021 Bonneville Speed Week on the salt flats outside of Wendover, Utah. The SCTA put on another great event, the salt condition was great for racing, and we’re already planning the return trip in 2022. Who knows, maybe even with a race car? Land Speed Racing is surely addictive. Hear all the stories from the trip, along with the Overselling Adjective, Automotive Trivia, and more on this speedy episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner arrived at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop in preparation for a major facelift. Plans include a Superbird conversion and a late-model Hemi engine swap backed by a 6-speed manual transmission! Of course, the front and rear suspension systems will be upgraded to match. The V8 Team is extremely excited to bring this car to the next level! Read More to see the photos and videos!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!
817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278
Continue reading “1970 Plymouth Road Runner Transformation at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”
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