Today we’re setting the wayback machine to November, 2014, where we find the “Mr. Chevy” 1955 Chevy gasser riding on the back of “Carried Away”, it’s personal matching ’55 hauler as they exit the 2014 SEMA Show lighting up the SEMA Cruise on their way out the door. In this shot, SEMA Cruise Emcee Joe Sebergandio fires up the crowd – who was already fired up – as the golden gasser makes a grand exit. “Carried Away” was restored by the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, while “Mr. Chevy” remains as it was when completed back in the late 1960s. You can see the restoration photos and videos of Mr. Chevy at this link. Today, Joe Sebergandio and V8 Speed and Resto Shop’s own Kevin Oeste still have fun hosting the SEMA Cruise… a rolling car show where you truly have no idea what could be rolling by next!

#semacruise #mrchevy #goodtimes #semashow

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!

Click “Read More” for the complete photo gallery!

Continue reading “1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

If you’re in SoCal, go check out the Tri-Five Invitational at the Grand National Roadster Show this weekend in Pomona! We’re honored to see the Mr. Chevy ’55 and hauler on display in this amazing gathering of influential tri-five hot rods, customs, and racers.   The 1955 Gasser is original, and the hauler was partially restored by the V8 Speed & Resto Shop.  Thanks to Goodguys Rod & Custom Association for sharing this pic in their gallery! See more here: https://www.good-guys.com/hotnews/?p=16755

The 1955 Chevrolet Gasser “Mr. Chevy” and its companion 1955 Chevy hauler are featured in this month’s Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine!   Congrats to owner Larry Frees and to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop Crew on their work on the truck!    

This was an awesome project, the chance to restore the body on a 1955 Chevrolet hauler truck named “Carried Away” which serves as the chauffeur for an original 1955 Chevy gasser named “Mr. Chevy”. Mr. Chevy first became a race car around 1968, and has a great story all on it’s own. Below you’ll see the videos on the car and the truck, along with the restoration photos at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Once completed, Mr. Chevy and Carried Away were feature vehicles at the SEMA Show, the Grand National Roadster Show, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, the Syracuse Nationals, the Tri-5 Nationals, and many others. It’s almost too cool for words. Check it out!

Continue reading “1955 Chevrolet Flatbed Mr. Chevy Hauler Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

The 1955 Chevrolet Gasser “Mr. Chevy” and its companion 1955 Chevy hauler are featured in this month’s Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine!   Congrats to owner Larry Frees and to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop Crew on their work on the truck!    Video after “Read More” below!

Continue reading “Mr. Chevy in Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine!”

We were all extremely excited to learn that Mr. Chevy has landed the lead image on Hot Rod’s website!    They posted a gallery of the first 75 cars at SEMA, with Mr. Chevy leading the way.    The vintage 1955 Chevy Gasser and matching hauler “carried away” were a huge hit at the SEMA show. It’s quite an honor!    

1955 Chevy Gasser Mr. Chevy and Hauler at SEMA 2014 V8TV Video

The SEMA show is often equated with new parts, as it is THE show where all the new stuff is unveiled. However, this year, we brought out a vintage 1955 Chevy Gasser race car and hauler to share with the SEMA attendees. Mr. Chevy was built to this configuration back in 1968, the hauler in ’71, and the car was raced until 1976. On one bad day back in 1976, original builder Van Heck broke the car and wrecked the hauler, and banished both vehicles to his barn for good. The car was bought by Larry Frees at Heck’s estate sale in 2006 and cleaned & repaired to “last raced” condition, and the truck was restored partially by the V8 Speed & Resto Shop. Since Frees got the car running and the truck all back together, he’s been sharing the pair with enthusiasts at various shows around the country

 

DuQuoin, IL – Area resident Larry Frees and his grandson Nick Schmidt proudly display the 2014 Car Craft Magazine Publisher’s Choice award presented to them at the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals in DuQuoin, Illinois.

The recently restored “Mr. Chevy” hauler and accompanying 1955 “Mr. Chevy” race car were hand selected by Car Craft Magazine Publisher Ed Zinke as his choice for the most unique vehicles of the event. Even more exciting, the car and truck were photographed by veteran automotive photographer/writer Jeff Smith for a feature in an upcoming enthusiast magazine.

The car / truck combo beat out thousands of entrants for the honor, one of only 9 magazine editorial awards given.

“This weekend was a dream come true” Frees said smiling. “Yesterday was the first time in 38 years that the race car took its place on the back of it’s matching car hauler, and we could not have asked for a better outcome!” he beamed.

“Mr. Chevy” will no doubt be riding a little higher on the back of it’s hauler as they attend automotive events throughout the summer.