Top Cats – Rare Buick Wildcat Muscle at Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals MCACN 2023
The Buick Wildcat is a big Muscle Car, and here, Buick enthusiast Ted Nagel shares four amazing 1965 Buick Wildcats he brought out to display at the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) show in Chicago.
The 1965 Buick Wildcat was a sporty version of the full-size Buick coupe, initially starting life as an Invicta in 1962. By 1965, the base Wildcat engine was the 325 horsepower 401 “Nailhead” V8, but you could get the optional 340 HP 425 version, or the Super Wildcat 425 that churned out 360 HP thanks to the two 4-barrel carburetors.
Ted Nagel brought out four great Wildcats, including his version of the ideal ‘Cat featuring a rare aluminum dual-quad intake manifold and a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission beneath the stock 4-speed console. The other three are restored to original configuration but boasting lots of rare options and combinations, like the red 1 of 14 Custom Convertibles with both the 4- speed and the Super Wildcat dual quad 425 V8!
Learn more about the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show at the link:
It’s not a Delorean, but this Camaro SS survivor is a time machine.
Nostalgia is a powerful force, and for the owner of this super cool 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, it’s turned up to 11. You see, this is not only a really cool 1967 Camaro, with it’s factory-installed first year 350 V8, Rally Sport (RS) appearance package, and Super Sport (SS) performance goodies, but it’s a valued family member that has returned to the fold.
The Car
When a car arrives at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, we like to verify it’s identity to see what we’re working with. This time, the VIN and cowl trim tag spell out how this car was built in the first week of November, and was originally painted Butternut Yellow with matching interior and black vinyl top. The RS SS packages are original, as appears the new for 295 horsepower 350 V8 and 4-speed manual transmission installed at the Los Angeles (Van Nuys) CA plant.
The Story
The owner was fortunate to have some great times in the car “back in the day”, as he and his brother would drive it in high school together. As you can imagine, there are many stories about those days. Unfortunately, his brother is no longer with us, and the Camaro got away from the family. However, our customer’s wife eventually located the car, purchased it, and presented it back to the owner for a very special birthday present. We can only imagine the flood of memories and emotions that day when he slid behind the wheel of this treasured Camaro once again.
Check Out The Story In The Video
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Next steps for the Camaro SS
After reviewing the condition of the Camaro, the owner determined he needed a hand to get it back on the road. He contacted us at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to evaluate it’s condition and create a plan that brings the car right back to the condition it was in back in high school… or maybe a bit nicer! Although originally yellow, the owner’s experience and memories are with it in black, so black it should stay. We’ll go over the car and propose a least-invasive restoration and preservation to make it safe, reliable, and ready to burn up the streets once again.
What’s your car’s story?
The V8 Speed and Resto Shop mission statement is to “connect people with the best times of their lives through things with wheels”, and this is a perfect example. We are honored for the opportunity to work on this prized Camaro SS, and fully understand the significance of cars like these… they all have stories, but some are never known. In the end, it’s really all about the people and good times had with the car.
How can we help write your family heirloom Classic or Muscle Car’s next chapter?
The V8 Speed and Resto Shop Team stands at the ready to assist with your classic car’s maintenance, preservation, partial restoration, modification, complete restoration, or even to build a totally custom, bespoke, one-of-a-kind automobile that reflects your desires. Contact us today to start the conversation… we love a great car story!
There’s just something about the numbers 427 to a Muscle Car fan.
This very clean 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS convertible recently came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop in need of a heart transplant. Although it had a 396 under the hood, it was pretty anemic. Like most of us, the owner wanted more power, so the V8 Speed team upped the ante with a new Chevrolet Performance ZZ427.
427 Cubes of Attitude Adjustment!
This all-new ZZ427 is a 480 horsepower big block Chevy V8, just waiting to transform the Camaro’s personality. A Vintage Air Frontrunner accessory drive and A/C system keep everything cool up front and inside the car, and the V8 crew topped the 427 with a Holley Terminator Stealth EFI system and a slew of other items to make it sing.
More Sport for the Rally Sport
The Camaro is a real RS car, born in the same black exterior and parchment interior colors you see here. It has some cool options, like the rally gauge package in the console and the headrests topping the bucket seats. However, this one is not all stock, by any stretch. In addition to that thumping 427, you’ll find a 5-speed manual transmission in place of the original 4-speed, and tubular suspension and coil-over springs and shocks for better handling. The wheels look right, but they are upsized billet aluminum Chevy Rally style wheels wrapped in custom modern redline tires from Diamondback Classics. These are a great choice for any restomod Camaro.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Intro Video at V8 Speed and Resto Shop
Hidden In Plain Sight
The Holley Terminator Stealth fuel injection system looks almost exactly like a Holley double pumper carb, but offers better starting, instant response, and modern fuel and timing control that can’t be matched by a carburetor. The 427 utilizes aluminum heads and a full roller cam valvetrain, so the risk of flattening a lobe or trashing a lifter is negated. We always like to build tasteful restomods here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. If you’ve got a Camaro or any other Muscle Car that needs some love, we’re happy to chat about it! You can reach us at https://www.v8speedshop.com/contact-us today.
Check Out The Build Photo Gallery of this Sweet 1967 Camaro RS
1982 was the debut year for the all-new 3rd Generation Chevrolet Camaro, including the highest-performance offering of the day, the Z28. While the early 1980s were not the pinnacle of performance years, this 4-speed Z28 holds a very special place in the heart and mind of the owner, and we’re looking forward to lighting its fire once again.
Connecting The Past With The Future
Cars like this one transport us back to when they were new, and the owner has had this one ever since then. We’re honored to have a hand in this Z28s future, renewing the spirit of the car and the soul of the owner through the throw of the 4-speed shifter. Reach us at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to chat about the next chapter for your classic or muscle car.
This 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL rumbles thanks to a 460+ cubic inch 428 fed by two four barrel Holleys on top, and is shifted with a 4-speed manual transmission. The car came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for some basic maintenance, as well as bodywork and a repaint . Follow the progress here!
The V8 Speed and Resto Shop was tasked with returning this red and white 1966 Corvette 4-speed roadster back to the road! It’s a factory air conditioned car, powered by a small block 327, and has been in storage for years. We’re looking forward to hearing it come alive!
1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440 4-Speed Convertible Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2022 MCACN
1971 Plymouth ‘cudas are scarce, even more so are the 17 440 convertibles built that year, and this one is one of the hottest! This 1971 ‘cuda convertible features a 440 six-pack V8 engine breathing through a shaker hood, and is coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The list of options is long on this car, including front and rear body-colored bumpers, front and rear spoilers, dual color-matched side racing mirrors, leather bucket seats, a Dana rear axle, and much more. We caught up with owner Bob Bartosiewicz after unveiling the freshly restored 1971 440 ‘cuda convertible at the 2022 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show where he shared some of the cool stories behind this amazing muscle car. Would you believe it was ordered new by an FBI agent? Who specified every option except power windows? Bob tells us all about it in this special episode of Muscle Car Of The Week from the 2022 MCACN show!
This bright red 1967 Ford Mustang fastback is a fun car, and it’s about to get even better. It is wearing an older restoration, and is powered by a 428 V8 backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. It came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop for some maintenance and performance suspension upgrades. Follow the photos to see the latest upgrades to this cool 1967 Ford Mustang restomod!
This 1967 Pontiac GTO wasn’t always the head-turning classic it is today. When it arrived at V8 Speed & Resto Shop, it was a far cry from its former glory. Rusted and neglected, it more closely resembled a “swamp thing” than a muscle car. However, our team of experts wasn’t fazed by the challenge. We were determined to transform this relic into a showstopper!
A Complete Frame-Off Restoration
Our restoration process for this 1967 GTO was a complete teardown, or “frame-off” restoration. This meticulous approach ensures that no area of the car is overlooked. Here’s a closer look at some of the key improvements we made:
Chassis Strengthening: The GTO’s chassis received a thorough inspection and repairs were made to the body mounts and other critical areas. We then applied a protective epoxy primer and industrial-grade paint finish.
Suspension Upgrade: We replaced the original suspension system with a high-performance tubular setup from BMR Fabrication. This upgrade enhances handling and performance without sacrificing a comfortable ride.
Bodywork and Paint: The GTO’s body was media blasted to remove rust and imperfections. Our fabrication team then replaced rusted panels, repaired the dashboard, and built a custom firewall. Once the body repairs were complete, the car was painted in its original Tyrol Blue with a stunning two-stage finish.
Taking the Interior Up a Notch
The interior of the GTO wasn’t spared our restoration magic. Our team reupholstered the bucket seats and refurbished the door panels, dashboard, headliner, and carpet. We also added some modern touches, like a new sound system from Custom Autosound and Dakota Digital gauges.
The Finishing Touches
The final step involved installing a Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system to unleash the power of the Pontiac 400 V8 engine. New wheels and tires completed the transformation, giving the GTO a truly aggressive look.
A Near-Perfect Score and a Dream Realized
The culmination of our hard work was presenting the finished GTO to its owner at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show in Chicago. The car was a huge hit, scoring a near-perfect 997 points in the Street Modified class!
Watch the complete build video and award-winning reveal in this video!
