The 2021 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show is happening on November 20 and 21st at the Donald E Stevens convention Center in Rosemont Illinois near Chicago. This year marks the triumphant return of the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals and we are all excited Continue reading “2021 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Preview Video – Muscle Car Of The Week MCACN”
The V8 Radio team was in full-force at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and this is just one of several episodes covering the event. You’ll find a general overview of the show, and also an interview with Mike Copeland of Arrington Performance about their supercharged LS-powered 1948 Chevy pickup that they reconfigured to run on Hydrogen! It got tons of attention at the show, because it makes around 500 horsepower with nearly zero emissions! Is this the future of hot rodding? Throw in some trivia and other nonsense and you have another engaging episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!
Hydrogen Powered Chevrolet Pickup 2021 SEMA Show Arrington Performance V8TV
This sweet 1949 Chevy pickup is powered by a supercharged LS3 that has been converted to run on compressed hydrogen gas. It’s not a hydrogen fuel cell, but actual compressed hydrogen fed into Continue reading “Supercharged LS3 Powered Chevrolet Pickup Runs on Hydrogen Gas 2021 SEMA Show”
Mike “Q” Ball Clarke and Kevin Oeste gear up for the 2021 SEMA Show and make some plans to record a V8 Radio Podcast from the show floor right in the middle of SEMA Week. Kevin realizes this is his 25th SEMA Show, and reflects on how there is still so much to learn, see, and do for car enthusiasts. There are a couple cool trivia questions, a few laughs, and more on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!
JANUARY 15, 2022 – The Hirohata Mercury sold for a hammer price of $1.95 Million Dollars at the Mecum auction! It remains the highest price paid for any kustom car, and we were excited to see it happen.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
When it comes to kustom cars, the 1951 Mercury built by George and Sam Barris for Bob Hirohata is about as legendary is it gets. The car innovated kustom design elements, and remains true to form today, even through an extensive restoration. Oh yeah, it also looks awesome! It’s long, low, chopped, clean, with Buick side trim, tuck & roll interior, Caddy Sombrero hubcaps, and a real Von Dutch stripe on the dash, and it’s boss. And now, it can be yours!
The spring, 2022 Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida is where this amazing ride will change hands to the highest bidder.
Head over to https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0122-487726/1951-bob-hirohata-mercury-custom/ to see more, and for your chance to register to bid on a true kustom legend. And if you win, please take us for a spin!
Mike Clarke and Kevin Oeste share their frustrations about feuding within the hobby. It’s no secret that there are those who are working to make the automotive enthusiast hobby and industry go away, so we all need to stick together, not attack each other. They also chat a bit more about the 2021 SEMA Show, answering the question of weather or not the OEM automakers should have displays at this aftermarket trade show. Throw in a few tangents and Automotive Trivia questions, and you’ve another jam-packed episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!
Kevin Oeste and Mike Clarke have been wringing out the summer car event season as much as possible, and on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, they chat about the Off Road Expo, the 40th Annual O’Rielly Auto Parts Fall 4 Wheel Jamboree, the GTOAA car show in Pontiac, IL, and preview the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas! And if that’s not enough, more trivia questions are shared along the way. It’s a big episode!
We host and attend a lot of automotive events! We hope you enjoy flipping through the photos!
Continue reading “Event Photo Galleries”
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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Muscle Car And Corvette Nationals 2020 From The Brothers Collection
Check out our special presentation the Muscle Car And Corvette Nationals 2020 from The Brothers Collection! That’s right, the Continue reading “Muscle Car And Corvette Nationals 2020 From The Brothers Collection”
