Get ready, Muscle Car Fanatics!! The 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) is right around the corner, and it’s gearing up to be one of the best shows of the year! Located at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, this isn’t your average car show—it’s a curated display of the rarest and most significant muscle cars and Corvettes in existence.

In this video, we’re taking a look at some of the incredible shows within the show—the theme and feature invitational displays you absolutely cannot miss! From fresh unveilings of newly restored muscle machines to incredibly rare B-body convertibles and tributes to iconic years, there’s something for every enthusiast.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

– Hemi Power: A spectacular collection of the ultra-rare 426 Hemi B-Body Convertibles.

– The Class of 1965: A full assortment of awesome muscle cars from this pivotal year.

– Iconic Chevys: A dedicated display of the legendary ’65 Malibu SS Z16 396 cars—all three colors represented!

– Drag Racing History: The powerful Mopar A990 factory drag race car display.

– Pinnacle Performance: Relive the golden age with the Class of 1970 display.

– Malaise Era Marvel: A unique spotlight on the 1978 Ford Mustang King Cobra, showcasing eight different colors!

– Movie Car Magic: See the freshly restored ‘Tommy Boy’ Convertible GTX celebrity car!

Don’t miss the unveilings, the day two modified cars, and all the professionally curated displays.

Go to the Show!

– When: November 22nd and 23rd (Saturday and Sunday).

– Where: Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois (near O’Hare Airport and Chicago).

– More Info & Tickets: Find all the details at mcacn.com.

Subscribe to the channel! We’ll be shooting a special walkthrough video Saturday night after the show closes to give you a personalized tour if you can’t make it!

The Original Rocket V8!

This cool 1949 Oldsmobile is powered by the original 303 Rocket Oldsmobile V8, but is wearing a smooth custom look with a lowered stance, vintage green exterior, and fully a finished interior. The 1949 Oldsmobile joined Cadillac as the second American automaker to mass produce an overhead valve V8 engine, and this version remained in production until 1953.

Returning The Olds To The Road

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop team aims to make the car more enjoyable to drive all day long, installing power steering, air conditioning, disc brakes, cruise control, tilt wheel, and perhaps some seat upgrades as well. Fuel injection might be in the cards, we’ll post all the pictures and videos here so you can follow the progress of this unique resto-mod street rod… is that a “Street Mod?” Hmmm…

Follow The Upgrades

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop is ready to perform a stock and original restoration or build a high performance restomod just for you. Contact us anytime to chat about your project goals!

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

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

A New Version Of An Old Friend

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 Chevelle in his youth, and this car connects him to the car he had long ago. 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… named “Tropical Frees!” It’s putting out over 400 horsepower, it rides on air, and looks fantastic!

Highlights of the Build

  • True SS 396: A real 138 VIN 1966 Chevelle SS, reimagined with passion and precision.
  • Custom Powertrain: Features a bored-out 396 to 402ci engine with a full roller valvetrain, paired with a Richmond 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive and Holley fuel injection.
  • Air Ride Suspension: Fully adjustable air ride system for a smooth, customizable ride.
  • Body and Paint: New quarter panels, trunk floor, tail pan, and deck lid, with meticulous metalwork to ensure tight, uniform gaps. Painted in a unique “Tropical Freeze” aqua-teal with pearl and metallic flair.
  • Custom Interior: Two-tone Fawn and Buckskin interior with a metallic cardboard-inspired dash, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air AC, and a hand-painted tropical graphic.
  • Modern Touches: LED taillight inserts, 17″ chrome Craig SS wheels, and a smoothed rear package tray with flush 6×9 speakers.
  • Day Three Philosophy: Because it was not a numbers matching, all original car, it was built with a blend of classic SS 396 style with modern upgrades like fuel injection, air suspension, and enhanced power (over 400 HP!).

Why This Build Stands Out

This Chevelle isn’t just a restoration—it’s a reimagining of a classic, balancing authenticity with modern performance. Our team at V8 Speed and Resto spent months refining every detail, from TIG-welding panels for precision fitment to block-sanding the body for flawless reflections. The result is a car that looks like it’s carved from a single piece of steel, with a vibrant custom color and a roaring exhaust that demands attention.

Watch The Video:

Get in Touch

Dreaming of bringing your own classic car to life? Whether it’s a muscle car like this Chevelle, a fat-fendered beauty from the ’40s, or a gem from the ’80s or ’90s, we’re here to make it happen. Contact Us to start planning your dream build!

V8 Speed and Resto Shop

817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

Links & Resources

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Restoration at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

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

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

The Build Photos

 

Sneak Peek: ’66 Chevelle Tropical Blue Reveal! 💙

This sweet 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, bathed in tasty custom-mixed “Tropical Frees Blue”, just left the V8 Speed & Resto Shop… and we’ve got the full video coming soon!

Get ready for an in-depth look at this stunning restoration, from the classic muscle car lines to the impeccable, flawless finish. It’s a build that demands attention and a video you won’t want to skip.

Don’t miss the complete feature video—subscribe now so you’re the first to see it when it drops!

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

#Chevelle #MuscleCar #Shorts #V8Speed&Resto #V8Speedshop #Musclecars

Contact Us To Build Yours! 

V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo

How Did These 6 Top Muscle Cars Get Their Names? | Muscle Car Of The Week

Muscle Cars are all about power, performance, and style, but you can’t overlook their stories. In this episode of Muscle Car Of The Week, we dive into the fascinating origins behind six legendary muscle car names: the *Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Pontiac GTO, Oldsmobile 442, Buick Gran Sport/GSX, Plymouth GTX, and Ford Mustang!* From clever marketing moves to nods to racing heritage, discover how these iconic names became synonymous with power, freedom, and rebellion. Join us as we seek to uncover the stories that made these cars legends!

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell for more muscle car history and reviews!

Sometimes it’s advantageous to take over a project than to start from scratch.   In this case, the customer wanted a cool ‘69 Camaro, and we happened to find him one that was already undergoing a restoration.   The owner of this clean Arizona car changed his mind and decided to sell his project, so we had the car shipped to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop in Red Bud, IL, where it transformed into the Pro-Touring Camaro the new owner has always wanted.     Features include a Holley Terminator EFI system, Vintage Air A/C, Scat seats, restoration parts from Classic Industries, Axalta paint, ARP engine hardware, COMP cam, and much more.   

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Resto Mod Built By V8 Speed and Resto Shop in Red Bud, IL

Design Details

The customer wanted a classic Z/28 look but with a few modern touches and better performance.

Details

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Resto Mod Built By V8 Speed and Resto Shop in Red Bud, IL

Interior Upgrades

Build Photos

The Video Tells The Story

 

 

 

Let’s Build Yours!

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

 

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Logo

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

Taking an opportunity for a quick summer evening ride!

Summer’s here and the time is right for taking a cruise in a cool old car! This time, we take a minute while enjoying a ride down Bluff Road in our 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL convertible. This car has been in V8 Speed and Resto Shop’s Kevin Oeste’s family since 1993 and is a very special car to us, even though Kevin and Kelle don’t get as many chances to drive it as they’d like. However, even a short trip down a great road on a beautiful night does a world of good for the mind and soul. And like we said, old cars make new friends! We’ll share more video on the latest updates on the Galaxie in an upcoming video, subscribe so you don’t miss it!

## V8 Radio Podcast
http://www.v8radio.com

## V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

#fordgalaxie #convertible #v8speedshop

Adding WAY more fun to the GTO!

We’ve worked on this clean 1970 Pontiac GTO several times here at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, and this time, we installed a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission from Modern Driveline, complete with a hydraulic clutch and a Hurst shifter.

In the past, we’ve removed, resealed, and detailed the Ram Air III 400 cubic inch V8 engine, and upgraded it with a March serpentine accessory drive system.

The owner Mo is a US Army Veteran and has become a great friend of our team. He and his wife really enjoy Classics and Muscle Cars, and we appreciate them as customers, friends, and general positive role models for the car hobby.

We invite you to contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop anytime at 314.783.8325 for a Coyote swap or restoration for your classic car, truck, or muscle car.

The V8 Speed & Resto Shop is a full-service classic car and muscle car restoration service ready to perform everything from simple maintenance on vintage cars to full frame-off restorations and modifications. Whether you are seeking a stock restoration, a pro-touring muscle car, or a custom restomod, the V8 Speed & Resto Shop in Red Bud, IL, can help. Contact us today to put the V8 crew to work for you. Transport services are available.

V8 Speed & Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud,IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com
resto@v8speedshop.com

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

#gto5speed #v8speed #v8speed&resto

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A Salute to Jason “Sarge” Beebe

Jason “Sarge” Beebe joined V8 Speed and Resto Shop as a shop assistant, starting with humble tasks like sweeping floors and organizing parts. We first met Sarge at a Scott Air Force Base job fair for recent U.S. Air Force retirees, unaware of the depth of his experience as a C-130 Loadmaster or his lifelong passion for restoring Muscle Cars, a craft he honed alongside his father and brother—both Air Force veterans.

Sarge’s organizational prowess transformed our “Lumber Yard” parts warehouse, streamlining operations across our six-building campus. His leadership and knack for bringing out the best in people helped develop our Parts On Demand system, boosting efficiency and reducing time spent locating parts. Beyond his technical skills, Sarge’s warmth and dedication left a lasting mark on our team.

Growing up, Sarge was immersed in the world of Muscle Cars, learning from his father, a talented restorer who built an array of iconic vehicles. Sarge fondly recalls assembling a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS model as a child, a dream that became reality when he and his family restored a real Chevelle when he was just 14. His Dad’s 1973 Camaro Z/28 lives on as well, now owned by his Uncle.

After a distinguished Air Force career that took him around the globe, Sarge brought his discipline, passion, and love for cool cars to V8 Speed and Resto Shop. As he steps into retirement, we celebrate his contributions and wish him endless joy with his family and his beloved Chevelle.

Thank you, Sarge, for setting our parts team and facility up for lasting success. Here’s to your next adventure!

V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

#Chevelle #v8speedshop #v8speedanresto #musclecars

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/V8SpeedShop/

The Top 10 According To Performance Car Magazines of 1971!

Get ready for a thrilling ride as Muscle Car of the Week dives into the quickest muscle cars of 1971! 🚗💨 In this episode, we’re counting down the top 10 fastest cars based on published quarter-mile times from magazines like Hot Rod, Car and Driver, and Super Stock. From the iconic Plymouth Duster 340 to the powerful Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, we’re showcasing the legends that ruled the dragstrip in ’71. 🏁

Join us as we explore the horsepower, rear gears, and performance stats of these classic muscle cars, including the Plymouth Cuda, Ford Mustang Mach 1, Chevrolet Corvette, and more. Did your favorite make the list? Drop your thoughts, stories, or debates in the comments below! 💬 Don’t forget to subscribe for more muscle car action and check out our previous episodes on the quickest cars of 1969 and 1970. 🔔

And just like in our Quickest of ‘69 and 1970 videos, We didn’t actually test these cars ourselves, but we’re utilizing the published test results from performance car magazines from 1971 for these numbers. We all know there are stories of these same cars going much faster on better tires, with hot tunes, better drivers, and all that, but again, we’re sticking to the printed articles by the top car magazines of the day. OK? Ready? Let’s GO!

10 1971 Plymouth Duster 340 – April, 1971 Super Street Cars Magazine –
340ci/275hp, 3spd auto, 3.91, 1/4 mile – 14.26 @ 98.30mph

9 1971 Plymouth Cuda 340 – January, 1971 Hot Rod Magazine –
340ci/275hp, 4spd, 3.55, 1/4 mile – 14.18 @ 100.33mph

8 1971 Chevelle SS454 – January, 1971 Car Craft Magazine – (NO VIDEO)
454ci/365hp, 3spd auto, 4.10, 1/4 mile – 14.0 @ 100mph (slicks)

7 1971 Mustang Mach 1 429 February, 1971 – Super Stock Magazine –
429ci/370hp, auto, 3.50, 1/4 mile – 13.97 @ 100.22mph
https://youtu.be/EklIuXzBAWo

6 1971 Mustang Boss 351 February, 1971 – Car and Driver Magazine –
351ci/330hp, 4spd, 3.91, 0-60 – 5.8, 1/4 mile – 13.80 @ 104mph
https://youtu.be/wvs9q-BG1Go

5 1971 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi Super Bee December, 1970 – Motor Trend Magazine –
426ci/425hp, 3spd auto, 4.10, 0-60 – 5.7, 1/4 mile – 13.73 @ 104mph
Muscle Car Of The Week Episode: https://youtu.be/-uBK0ZGQ4dw

4 1971 Plymouth Cuda 440 – Super Stock Magazine –
440ci/390hp, 3spd auto, 4.10, 1/4 mile – 13.72 @ 106mph
https://youtu.be/HDUHvoa5o2g

3 1971 Corvette 454 – August, 1971 Car Craft Magazine –
454ci/425hp, 4spd, 3.36, 1/4 mile – 13.72 @ 102.04mph
https://youtu.be/QRJ7fIRYVVw

2 1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440 January, 1971 – Car Craft Magazine –
440ci/390hp, 3spd auto, 4.10, 1/4 mile – 13.71 @ 101.2mph

AND THE WINNER:

1 1971 Pontiac Trans AM 455 H.O. Supercar Annual ’71 – Super Car Annual
455 V8 (HO) 335 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 480 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. 13.70 @ 104 MPH

OTHER TOP 10 LISTS:

TOP 10 QUICKEST MUSCLE CARS OF 1969: https://youtu.be/grGJA-61ycI
TOP 10 QUICKEST MUSCLE CARS OF 1970: https://youtu.be/4pqxMqDOHBU