We are honored and privileged to learn that the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 7-L restored by the V8 Speed & Resto Shop has been chosen for a six page feature – including a cover photo – in the latest issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine! The entire crew worked very hard on this complete restoration, and we could not be happier to have a future in such an excellent publication as muscle machines. The magazine is a new stands as of April 21, 2017, and subscribers should have there copies already. Check your local new stands to get your copy today!
The COMP Cams 40th Anniversary 1969 Camaro will be on display at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas in the COMP Performance Group booth #23043. The Camaro was restored by the V8 Speed & Resto Shop in Red Bud, IL., and the complete restoration will be featured on several episodes of V8TV, airing on Rev’n, TUFF TV, The Action Channel, and online.
1951 Chevrolet Dump Pickup Truck Restoration Photo Gallery
This 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck served as our customer’s Grandfather’s farm truck for many years. In fact, it was his Grandfather that built the original dump mechanism for the truck. After years of labor on the farm, the truck was sent to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for a complete restoration with some modifications to make it like new… and ready to be put back to work!
Click “Read More” for the complete video and photo gallery!
Click this link to see the ’51s after-restoration cross country road trip home!
Returning A Family Heirloom Galaxie To The Spotlight
This 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 7-LItre came to us at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop after living a long and full life, with plenty of wear and rust to show for it. This car was purchased new in β66 by our customerβs father and has been under the same family ownership ever since.
New for 1966 – The 428 V8
The big news for β66 was the launch of the new 428 V8, a high-compression big-block added to the FE family as a versatile replacement for the high-strung 427s. Galaxies fitted with the 428 were badged 7-Litres, and this car features the 345 HP version cranking out 462 lb. ft. of torque at just 2800 RPMβ¦ perfect for getting big sleds like this off the line. These were available in 4-speed or automatics like ours, and they made for comfortable and stylish highway cruisers.
Once documented and disassembled, our β66 received extensive metal repairs. We had the body stripped with a dustless blasting process, leaving bare steelβ¦ with lots of rust holes. Replacement sheet metal isnβt really easy to come by for these cars, so we sourced some original parts from Desert Valley Auto Parts in Arizona for new wheel houses and some other parts, but we had to extensively modify the replacement quarter panel skins to correct stamping inaccuracies. Sheet metal patches were installed all over the body tub, in the floors, tail section, and package tray. Like all our metal work, our goal is to create undetectable repairs and make the car appear new again.
The frame was stripped, and rusty sections were replaced with fresh steel. All the suspension parts were restored and rebuilt.
The original engine had been rebuilt and stored a decade ago, and after a thorough inspection, it was determined that it could benefit from some cleanup machining to bring it back to spec after being improperly stored.
The Original Color Revitalized – Emberglo
Meanwhile, extensive bodywork was performed to make the big Galaxie straighter than new. After hours of block sanding, the car was primed and sprayed in the original Emberglo color, which is truly stunning in the sun under the deep Axalta clear paint.
Interior parts were reconditioned and renewed, with new color applied over repaired components.Β Β Surprisingly, the original bucket seats did not require a recovering, just a major cleaning and conditioning to make them ready for use. Β Β They donβt appear factory new, but more like comfortable furniture that is just broken in, and they look great.Β Β The center console, shifter, and gauges were restored, and a triple set of Stewart Warner Green line instruments were added below the dash to keep tabs on the 428.Β Β
Details Make The Difference
This project required copious amounts of chrome plating, as the bumpers, grille, side trim, interior trim, and other pieces were either polished or replated. New parts for 7-Litre specific items are not very common, so we fixed as much as possible.
The original steel wheels and hubcaps were restored and a set of period white-stripe tires installed. Β Β When the time came, the 428 roared back to life, with a nice rumble from the custom dual exhaust. Β The car appears new in every way, and it drives as good as it looks.Β Β It was even featured on the cover of Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine, truly an honor for a great car and our very talented crew who brought it back to better than new!Β Β Β
Is Your Classic Languishing In The Garage?
Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop shop today to discuss your next restoration project, we take them seriously and offer outstanding quality for your family heirloom!
The V8 Speed & Resto Shop Crew recently finished a complete restoration on this 1964 Chevrolet C-10 pickup truck including suspension, rust repair and sheet metal fabrication, and more. They installed a GM L92 6.2 liter V8 powered by a Mast Motorsports ECM and using Holley accessory drive brackets, oil pan, and Hooker exhaust manifolds. A Mast cam and valve springs were installed, yielding approximately 525 horsepower. A TCI 4L60E transmission is used to provide an overdrive gear, and the truck rolls on Mob Steel 20″ wheels. The finish is satin black with a charcoal silver roof, wheels, and side trim insert, and the bed is all new wood. The interior featured a leather seat, Vintage Air A/C, a Dakota Digital box to allow the original speedometer to work with the modern transmission, upgraded audio, and more. Click “Read More” for the photo gallery and video of the process!
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!
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? π
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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: ππ
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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
Follow the entire restoration process taken by the V8 Speed and Resto Shop crew to bring this timeless Chevelle back from the edge of it’s life. Starting with 3 cars, the crew utilized thousands of new reproduction parts, restored originals, and today’s high-tech methods and materials to transform a scrap pile into a show winner.
Follow along from disassembly, chaissis / suspension build, engine build, metal repair, body work, paint, buffing, and final assembly.
Perhaps the best part is the surprise reveal and Gold Spinner Award at the car’s first Showing! Over 50 videos chronicle this early build from the V8 team. Continue reading to see them all!