1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 217
You may be thinking “haven’t I seen the 69 Pontiac Trans Am convertible already on this show?” Continue reading “1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 217”
We recently did some work on this clean 1969 Chevelle for a cool customer who’s become a good friend over the years. The car came to us with most of the pieces in place, but just not playing that well together. In fact, it’s been a repeat visitor over the years getting better upgrades each time.
The first time, we did some driveline repairs, but the fun project was creating and installing a custom contoured firewall we made in our fabrication shop. It was made from 18 gauge cold rolled steel, and the design added strength and a style that didn’t look out of place on the Chevelle. Once that was body worked and painted, we moved on to the engine.
It originally arrived sporting a crate big block Chevy, but we eventually installed a Fast Times Motorworks built 460 cube torque monster for more laughs from the right pedal. This one started as a 454 with a 4-bolt block, but was bored and stroked to 460 cubes with Scat I-beam rods, Keith Black pistons, and ARP hardware throughout. The top end relies on a Howard’s roller cam and Edelbrock heads and intake inhaling the mix from an MSD Atomic EFI system.
It’s bolted to a Tremec TKO-600 6-speed manual transmission shifted by a Hurst stick and a hydraulic clutch for smooth action. We installed 3.55:1 Motive gears in the 12-bolt housing along with a Detroit TruTrac differential for better grip. We love the sound of a rumbling big block through the stainless x-pipe Borla mufflers.
Handling is improved with a QA1 tubular coil-over suspension system up front for adjustability, a nice ride, and a lowered stance. The upsized QA1 sway bar resists body roll when you whip the Grant steering wheel and Delphi quick-ratio steering box around. The rear is hung with more QA1 coil-overs, tubular arms, and sway bar. We added Wilwood disc brakes all the easy around, which hide behind 17” Rocket Racing Booster wheels. The calipers are squeezed by a Hydratech hydraulic brake assist unit.
Inside, you’ll find Dakota Digital Gauges, a tilt steering column, Scat seats, and a Vintage Air A/C unit with it’s compressor and belt held in place by a Vintage Air Frontrunner serpentine accessory drive system.
The Chevelle wears a handsome shade of metallic charcoal gray, but it really came to life when we added some custom-made silver SS396 stripes to the sides. It’s a sharp car that drives like a champ.
You can see more photos of the work on this one by clicking on the link in the description, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if your muscle car needs some upgrades, tuning, or a complete do-over… we’re happy to help!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for all your restoration and performance needs!
314.783.8325 https://www.v8speedshop.com
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.
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!
817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278
Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #163: 1964 Plymouth Fury 426 Wedge Convertible
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http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com – This week, we’re taking a spin in a very Continue reading “Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #163: 1964 Plymouth Fury 426 Wedge Convertible”
The V8 Speed & Resto Shop-Restored 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Wins Gearheads4Life Editor’s Choice Award and Best Paint at 2016 Street Machine Nationals in DuQuoin, IL!
Congratulations to Molly Fischer and her 1979 Pontiac Trans Am for winning 2 major awards at the 2016 Street Machine Nationals in DuQuoin, IL! Molly’s Pontiac has a storied history.. It was restored the first time by her husband Will and a friend and saw weekend and show duty until ironically being wrecked at the very show where it recently won the awards!
he August, 2016 Goodguys Gazette magazine is full of top-name cars, builders, and shops, and the V8 Speed & Resto Shop crew is honored to be included! The Gazette published an article titled “Pros Paint Tips” and featured some of the best shops and painters in the business… Rad Rides by Troy, Ringbrothers, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, Vintage Color Studio, Lanzini Body Works, Goolsby Customs, and painter Jeff Wittlich from the V8 Speed & Resto Shop is included as well. The article reached out to the painter at each shop for advice on technology, color, the DIY aspect, and more. If you don’t already belong to Goodguys, you should consider a membership, and not just for the magazine, as the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association hosts some of the best events for Hot Rodders and Muscle Car fans anywhere. See more at https://www.good-guys.com/
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop to have the body panels properly installed, then go through the bodywork and paint departments ultimately receiving a new paint job. The color is a custom mix Axalta paint we named “Midnight Magic”, and looks awfully close to black, but actually has a purple hue with flake. It turned out sharp! The customer will be completing the assembly of the car.
Continue reading “1969 Chevrolet Camaro Sheetmetal, Bodywork, and Paint Photo Gallery”
Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode # 129: 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 Convertible V8TV
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http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com – This week, we take a look at a version Continue reading “Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode # 129: 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 Convertible V8TV”
Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #128: 1970 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible
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http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com – This 1970 Chevelle SS 396 features some great features, ranging Continue reading “Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode #128: 1970 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible”
The V8 Speed & Resto Shop crew recently completed the restoration of this very cool and subtly modernized 1965 Chevrolet Impala. Today, it drives better than any stock ’65 ever drove, thanks to a Ridetech suspension system, and it is powered by a retro-themed 6.0 LS V8 engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The look is sharp thanks to a load of OER restoration parts from Classic Industries. The V8 crew started with a bare shell and brought this sweet Impala back to life, completing metalwork, suspension and chassis repairs, all the body and paint work, and final assembly.
Check out the Build Thread of this slick ’65!
817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278
Continue reading “1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Restoration Photo Gallery”