Known as “The Grand Daddy Of Them All”, the Grand National Roadster Show is a must-attend event for anyone into Hot Rods, Kustoms, Lowriders, VWs, Muscle, Kulture, and more. This year they celebrated the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford roadster, and there were Deuce roadsters of all flavors on hand to check out and enjoy. Recognizable standouts include the 1951 Hirohata Merc, which recently crossed the Mecum auction block for over $2 Million with the juice. Another favorite is the “Limefire” 1932 Ford Roadster, which graced the pages of Hot Rod Magazine and thousands of walls in poster form back in the 1980s. Numerous awards are presented at the event, but the two most prestigeous include the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award, and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. This year, the blue 1934 Chevrolet Roadster owned by Jeff Breault and built by Devlin Rod & Customs took home the AMBR, and the amazing 1932 Ford Coupe owned by Pat Gauntt and built by Hollywood Hot Rods won the Slonaker, sponsored by ARP. The 2022 GNRS did not disappoint, and we recommend booking your visit to Pomona, California, for the 2023 show!
The January auctions broke all kinds of records this year, with Mecum and Barrett-Jackson grossing over $420 Million in just two events! Couple this with the amazing amount of super high-end hot rods and customs at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA, and it’s easy to see that enthusiasm for classic cars is at an all-time high! Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke and Kevin Oeste cover all this plus Automotive Trivia, and some sneak peeks into some new projects Kevin is working on with the SCTA and his encounter with Billy Gibbons and the CadZZilla project. There’s even a cameo from Kelle! It’s a really big show!
The Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show is a hot topic on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, and our hosts Mike Clarke and Kevin Oeste review the racing trade show and scheme up a plan for next year. Next up is a chat about a Pro-Touring 1969 Chevrolet Camaro coming together at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, complete with a 775 HP LT5 engine hooked to a 10 speed automatic transmission. This one is going to be a handful! They also cover a modernized 1978 Pontiac Trans Am and a whole new way to look after the car, and wrap it all up with some tool talk. And there is also Automotive Trivia, along with a few laughs and other nonsense, on the latest episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!
The Tremec TKX offers the perfect solution for muscle car enthusiasts seeking:
Enhanced Driving Experience: Take command of your gears and relish the raw power of your classic car.
Improved Performance: The TKX boasts a compact design for a perfect fit and smoother shifting compared to TKO transmissions.
Modern Muscle: Enjoy the benefits of overdrive for enhanced cruising and fuel efficiency.
Unmatched Expertise: V8 Speed & Resto Shop is your one-stop shop for flawless Tremec TKX installations. Our team has extensive experience breathing new life into classic muscle cars like Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles, and of course, GTOs!
In this video, we delve deep into the Tremec TKX, highlighting its:
Superior Strength: 600 lb-ft torque capacity and 8000 RPM maximum shift RPM handle the demands of your powerful engine.
Streamlined Design: The innovative “front loaded” three-piece aluminum housing ensures a perfect fit and eliminates leaks.
Adaptability: Choose from GM Muncie/Richmond or Ford wide pattern options to match your car’s needs.
Tailored Performance: Multiple gear ratios allow you to optimize your driving experience.
Ready to transform your classic muscle car?
Contact V8 Speed & Resto Shop today! We’re passionate about helping you achieve the perfect manual transmission setup for your dream car. We work with Modern Driveline to engineer TKO transmission solutions for classics, hot rods, and muscle cars.
Visit our website at https://v8speedshop.com/ or call us at 314.783.8325 to discuss your Tremec TKX conversion!
This clean 1967 Plymouth Barracuda came to visit the V8 Speed and Resto Shop in need of some carb tuning and maintenance to the audio system. It’s a cool car powered by a rebuilt 340 with some performance goodies and a 3-speed automatic transmission. The bone customer interior is a nice contrast with the black paint. Photo gallery after the break!
This cool 1985 Chevrolet C10 Pickup is already equipped with a lowered suspension system and a Holley Sniper EFI system, but not all the pieces were playing nicely together. It came to our shop for some tuning and refinements to make it a cool cruiser.
VIDEO: Top Camaros Built at V8 Speed and Resto Shop
We’re big fans of first generation Camaros here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Today we’re taking a look at 5 of our favorite restomod First Gen Camaros built here in our shop, in no particular order.
First up is a 1969 Camaro named Lou’s Change. The goal for this car was to combine modern Camaro styling and performance with the classic look of the ‘69. Dan Steinhauser created the rendering, complete with a modern ZL-1 style hood with carbon fiber insert and a 3D printed grille.
We performed all the metalwork in-house, including fabrication of the custom hood, and installation of all new floors, quarter panels, tail panel, fenders, and more. Lou’s Change rides on a complete Detroit Speed suspension front and rear. Deep tubs were installed to accommodate the Toyo R888 tires wrapped around Forgeline wheels. The engine is a modified supercharged GM LSA 6.2L V8 making approximately 630 HP, backed by a 6-speed manual transmission. The car was sprayed in Mars Red, with a black ZL1 stripe. It was a feature car at the SEMA show, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, and in Hemmings Muscle Machines Magazine.
This ‘69 Camaro is owned by one of the best names in performance parts, COMP Cams! When it needed a refresh, we were honored that they sent it to us at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop. Upgrades include a Heidt’s front subframe and tubular suspension and rear 4-link system supporting the Currie rear axle. Power comes from is a Butler-LS built LS 454 making 690 HP, and a TCI 6X 6-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears. The interior features Distinctive Industries Touring II seats, Dakota Digital gauges, and Vintage Air A/C.
This next Camaro is another ‘69, but it’s an all-new car with nearly 100% aftermarket parts. We utilized a new Camaro shell, added some bigger wheel tubs, subframe connectors, and a complete Detroit Speed suspension system. Power comes from a MAST Motorsports LS7 based 427 topped with an LS9 supercharger making over 800 horsepower with a 6-speed manual transmission. Inside you’ll find a full leather and carbon fiber interior, with speedhut gauges, Vintage Air, and high-end audio in a custom dash. The color is Corvette ZR1 Jetstream blue, which really makes the polished trim and Forgeline wheels stand out.
The goal of the Reloaded Camaro was to create a modern version of the dealer supercars from the late 1960s, like the 427 Camaros built by Yenko and Nickey Chevrolet. The original front subframe was modified with a Detroit Speed coilover suspension, while a QUADRALink rear suspension was added for far better traction. While the body was being massaged to perfection, our friends at Fast Times Motorworks assembled a 490 cubic inch roller cam V8. The engine is super clean, with satin colors that compliment the exterior with no messy wires or hoses. The transmission is a TCI 4L80E automatic overdrive.
This one came to us with a stock suspension system, and a carbureted big block Chevy engine, but the owner wanted more… of everything. The first time the car was here we installed a whole Detroit Speed suspension system front and rear, and an EFI system on the big block Chevy. Bigger Baer brakes were added, and a new set of Forgeline wheels was custom made for the car. The handling and braking improvements were huge, but after a bit, the owner wanted the smooth power of a supercharged dry-sump LT4 engine, so the car came back to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for round 2! Stock LT4s are powerful, but this one is making north of 750 HP with upgraded pulleys, valve springs, and injectors. Of course, we also build less radical Camaros, but we’re always looking to push the envelope of performance and creativity. What ideas do you have for your ideal Camaro? Contact us at www.v8speedshop.com today, we’d love to bring those ideas to life!
Author: Michael Clarke Content: Awesome examples of first gen F-bodies. I’ve been fortunate enough to see a few of these Camaros up close and the video doesn’t do them justice. They’re that good.
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Author: Plymouth Die-Cast Replicas Content: It’s great to hear Kevin’s commentary again! He has swallowed the dictionary. Awesome Camaros, guys! I love that blue ZR9. Absolutely wonderful machine.
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Author: Jason Hull Content: The true heart of muscle cars and hot rodding. These are absolutely stunning examples. The level of craftsmanship and detail is above top shelf. Another well deserved hat tip to that remarkable team ! And for the record 15 minutes is the perfect length video for the octane junkie’s lunch break ! Haha 🍻 🇺🇸💪👍
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Author: William Wright Content: You guys just do awesome work! I am beyond thrilled, to know my car is in good hands!
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Author: Paul M Content: Beautiful , I take the red one 😇. I would only want it without the supercharger as the naturally aspirated LS is plenty powerful and reliable for daily use. Great builds regardless
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Author: Primoz Krajcar Content: Those are some bad ass machines. Can you do a similar list on the Corvettes? Top Corvette builds and then go to top Dodge builds and top Mustang builds. I already envision a series here! 🙂
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Author: Lawrence Atwood Content: I am fortunate enough to “Drive it like I stole it!!” Thanks for the awesome work V8 Speed Shop Team!
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Author: Gary Keenan Content: Loose Change is a work of art past n present nicely done!!! Comp convertible is a powerhouse would be fun laying down some pavement black marks!!!
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Author: Heavy Pedal Garage Content: Pure awesome! Gotta love the F bodies! I’ve got a second gen firebird that I’m restomodding over on my channel. I dream of doing a first gen one of these days. Thanks for sharing such amazing cars in some really cool videos. Motivation and inspiration!
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Author: chisel83 Content: Awesome video guys. Happy holidays from south Australia 🇦🇺
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Author: Justin Opinion Content: You had me at “Camaros”… but then you had to go and make it an awesome video anyway!
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Author: Johnny Hot rod Content: Love your work If I ever hit the lottery you guys can do my 67-LT4 with a 6 speed my dream And fix all my bad gaps One can dream…
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Author: Calvin Cooley Content: As far as ideas go I have many! Lol that’s not to be confused with money! Here is one for the one with the stack. A modern Nomad-ish build using a base of one 78 to 87 Malibu wagon and some El Camino doors & glass. Maybe a Monte SS nose. Cut the B pillars, fab some jambs and …….El Mad! You get the picture I’m sure. You’re welcome.
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Author: Calvin Cooley Content: When the hammer falls so do the jaws.
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Author: Tom Wagner Content: Tesla eat you heart out
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Author: Bruce H. Content: “We used an all new body on this one”. Really, aftermarket?
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Author: HEY BERT 1984 Content: Cool 70 imp in the background at :21 what are you folks doing to that. I have a 70 myself that i ls3 swapped
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Author: Turbo Lives In my heart Content: Agh- I can’t breathe
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Author: Big Sexy Muthashutyomouth Content: Beautiful vehicles gentlemen! The ZR9 has to be my favorite one of all!!!!
This clean 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible is a new purchase for our customer, and he sent it to us at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for some detail and maintenance work before he takes possession of the car to enjoy.
Click “Read More” for the complete photo gallery!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!
The goal of this 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon build is to add modern car handling with barely-streetable power from a Ford 427 legendary Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) V8, all while keeping a stock (ish) sleeper appearance.
A Modern Twist on a Legendary Engine
The elements include a 700+ HP John Kaase built 540-cube SOHC engine, 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, a Roadster Shop chassis and suspension, and great brakes. The wagon will ride on 17” steel wheels – or Halibrand kidney-bean style wheels, depending on the mood. The chassis will deliver a slightly lowered, but usable stance.
A Stock 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon. Or is it?
One of the goals of this custom hot rod 1957 Ford is to make it look unassuming. No racing bucket seats for this one, as it will feature the original style bench seat and steering column mounted shifter. The Ranch will wear an original Starmist Blue and Colonial White color scheme, with a coordinating restored interior. New Old Stock or restored original trim will be used in all the original and correct locations on the car. The V8 Speed and Resto Shop is handling the build, and it’s going to be an amazing ride!
Follow The Build
The V8 Speed and Resto Shop Team is chronicling the build of the 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon in thousands of photos and videos, and you can follow them all right here. And if you’re inspired, we encourage you to contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop to chat about your Classic or Muscle Car dream ride today!
This sharp 1966 Pontiac GTO came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop as a paddle-shifted automatic transmission car, but the owner wanted to row the gears the old fashioned way. Our mission is to install a new Tremec TKX 5-speed manual in the car, and perform some other maintenance items along the way. Follow along with all the progress here!
Click “Read More” for the complete photo gallery!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!
