1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Restoration at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

This cool 1966 Chevelle is the second for it’s owner Larry Frees, who might be familiar as the caretaker of the “Mr. Chevy” 1955 Chevy gasser and hauler ramp truck.     He had a Marina Blue ‘66 many years ago, and this car will serve to be the “jumping off point” from where his old ‘66 left off.    Larry provided us with the beginning of the restoration story as it unfolds in the V8 Speed & Resto Shop.   The car turned out beautifully, after some sheet metal surgery, laser-straight bodywork, and a custom color brewed in-house. It’s putting out over 400 horsepower, it rides on air, and looks fantastic!

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZR9 built by V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Welcome to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop – Your Premier Destination for Muscle Car and Classic Car Restoration, Now in Our 20th Year!

Imagine the ultimate expression of your automotive passion. What features would make your car truly yours? Share your ideas with us, no matter how big or small. We’re experts in:

  • Complete Custom Builds: Bring your concept to life, from design idea to driving it home. Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Customs, Trucks… we build them all.
  • Restorations: Breathe new life into a classic car.
  • Custom Modifications: Enhance your existing car with your unique vision.
  • And Everything In Between: We handle everything from mechanical upgrades to full custom interiors, paint, fabrication, engines, and more.

Weather you dream of rocketing down the road in a 1932 Ford Hot Rod, cruising the dark streets of town in a chopped 1950s kustom, banging through the gears in a hot Muscle Car, or showing that restored family heirloom classic car or truck, we’re here to make it happen for you.

Tell us your dream car story. Fill out the form below and let’s turn your vision into reality!

Check out our Car Build Photo Galleries and Latest Videos!

V8 Speed & Resto Shop
(314) 783.8325
817 South Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278-1216, US
Email Us: resto@v8speedshop.com

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo White Background

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278 314.783.8325

Bringing New Life To A Big Block Chevelle

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop crew performed a complete restoration on this sweet 1969 Chevelle SS. The V8 Speed & Resto Shop team stripped the body, replaced the floors and trunk floor, assembled the body on the restored chassis, and performed bodywork and paint on this award-winning 1969 Chevelle.

The color is an eye-catching pearl metallic black offset with an original style Chevelle SS 396 stripe in vivid red. The V8 Speed and Resto Shop fabrication shop and body and paint departments were happy with deep color and arrow-straight bodywork.

Frame Off Restoration with Subtle Performance Improvements

The interior was restored featuring a Vintage Air A/C system and upgraded stereo. Leather seat covers in the original bucket seat patterns were installed. The V8 team installed shoulder belts in front and back for safety, and restored the original dash cluster. Brakes were upgraded to Wilwood 4-wheel disc units for better stopping power.

The team completed the wiring, plumbing, brakes, stainless exhaust, interior, and all aspects of the exterior restoration before driving and tuning the Chevy 454 powered Chevelle. The car won awards at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago, and was later treated to a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission from Modern Driveline with hydraulic clutch for way more driving fun. 

The team at Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine knows a cool car when they see one, and wrote a special magazine feature on the 1969 Chevelle! Thanks Hemmings! 

Watch The Chevelle Build Video

Tremec TKO 5-Speed Conversion Video

We’re happy to chat with you about your Muscle Car restoration, click the Contact Us link to learn more!

 

Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!

 

Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop Today!

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

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Author: napnoop Ayyad
Comment: Great Job guys, I totally respect the work that was done on this chevy

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Author: Marcelo JL
Comment: Great job! Wish I could afford a Chevelle like that

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Author: NickeyChevelle
Comment: Beautiful. I especially like the “bullet” outside rear view mirrors.

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Author: William Jackson
Comment: Chevy makes so many beautiful body style to restore. That is one beautiful Chevy. He is a very very lucky man with a whole lot of money.

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Author: Dwight Fontenot
Comment: That. Is. Incredible. So, how much did all of that cost? 🙂

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Author: Folger Tuck
Comment: Great job.

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Author: mcinkyt
Comment: Every outward appearance of stock, but comfortable – just as it should be restored.

Shoot a general number at me, what’s a chassis dyno worth?

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Author: jank330
Comment: nice the only thing I might have done is upgrade the brakes but other than that sweet car actually I went to school with guy who along with his dad raced a 69 chevelle with a ls6 454 in 1970 ya I’m that old.

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Author: MR_1013
Comment: Awesome job guys. How much would it take for you guys to take the knife to my El Camino?

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Author: Toms Chevelle
Comment: Is there a posi on it?   When you did the burnout, you only see on tire mark…   just wondering.   Sweet, will check it out at the Muscle Car nats this weekend.

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Author: M Logan
Comment: In 1969 did chevy put a 454 in late 69 chevelle? If so how many horsepower did it have?

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Author: DPS
Comment: Looks good but I prefer an OEM restoration.

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Author: Phil Chuppa
Comment: 👍👍

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Author: Roi Davis
Comment: I too have a 67 Chevelle that’s in need of Body work to complete.  I completed the rolling chassis, and the Power plant is a 454/460cu. in. Big Block.  Would you entertain a dialogue about completing this project?  Let me know!  Roy

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Author: ClappedOutClassics
Comment: sweet