A rare moment when the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro “ZR9” is standing still and posing for a glamour shot!  This pro-touring Camaro was a big project, with an all-new body and a MAST Motorsports 840 HP RHS 427 topped with an LS9 supercharger.  It features a full custom leather and carbon fiber interior, Detroit Speed suspension, Forgeline wheels, Magnaflow Exhaust, Baer Brakes, a Tremec T56 Magnum 6-speed, and a lot more…  but the Jetstream Blue color is one of the highlights.  We were honored to build the car at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, and the owner has had it over 167 MPH on an open road outside of the USA!Â
Calling all Trans Am fans! Buckle up, because V8 Speed and Resto Shop is taking a classic 1977 Firebird and turning it into a pro-touring monster. This isn’t your average T-Top Trans Am – it’s a non-T-Top model that’s about to receive a complete overhaul.
Take A Ride In This 1977 Pontiac LS3 Trans Am Video!
530 Horsepower Heart Transplant
The centerpiece of this transformation is a brand new LS3 V8 engine. This beast pumps out a whopping 530 horsepower, a far cry from the original engine’s output. To handle all that extra power, the shop is also installing a 4L70E overdrive transmission.
Straightening The Curves
But it’s not just about straight-line speed. V8 Speed and Resto knows that a pro-touring car needs to handle corners like a dream. That’s why they’re outfitting this Trans Am with a Global West suspension system. This upgrade will ensure precise handling and confidence-inspiring grip. YearOne 17″ wheels complete the look for any Trans Am!
Comfort is also important, even for a car built for performance. The shop isn’t forgetting about everyday usability. They’re installing a Vintage Air A/C system to keep things cool on those hot summer days.
To keep the driver informed, the classic instrument cluster is being replaced with a modern Dakota Digital gauge setup. This will provide all the essential information in a clear and stylish way.
Follow Along as we complete the transformation of this Trans Am and set it free on the open road!
This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is transforming into a high-end Pro Touring car at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Power comes from a Chevrolet Performance LS3 V8, and it is installed in a Detroit Speed hydroformed front subframe. It’s backed by a Tremec T-56 6-speed manual transmission, sending power back to a fully independent rear suspension IRS system from Heidts.
The Trans Am is a full build at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, and was stripped to bare steel before being sprayed in a protective epoxy primer. The body had minimal rust, so it is in the test fit stage in this video. Subscribe to be updated on the progress of this car as we do all the mechanical upgrades, body and paint, complete interior, and tuning.
This clean Dusk Blue 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS convertible will be transforming into a powerful machine with driving capabilities far beyond any original 1969 Camaro ever had. Plans call for updated LS3 power, modern suspension, creature comforts, and a bright Ferrari red paint scheme. Follow the build here!
We were relieved and happy to see the super clean original body panels after this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am returned from Custom Coatings, STL. after a dustless blasting. We complete all kinds of rust repairs and custom metal fabrication here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, but starting with the best car possible makes a huge difference. Dustless Blasting is one of the safest and most effective ways to remove paint and rust, allowing a clean start to your muscle car restoration. We’re happy to be able to start moving forward on this custom restomod Trans Am without having to perform lots of rust and damage repair first. This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is getting a full Pro-Touring restoration, including modern power and amenities while keeping a classic Trans Am look.
Thanks to our friends at Custom Coatings, STL, for taking care of this Trans Am while removing decades of paint! You can reach us at https://www.v8speedshop.com to chat about your classic car or muscle car restoration.
Adding Modern Performance And Handling To A Classic Envelope
This cool yellow 1968 Oldsmobile 442 looks great, but the owner wanted better handling, braking, and comfort, while adding more reliable power and a smoother shifting transmission to the car without sacrificing the classic look. The solution is the installation of at Roadster Shop chassis and a 530 HP Blueprint Engineering LS3 V8, hooked to a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission.
Restoring As Needed
This 1968 Oldsmobile 442 had been restored once, but we discovered some areas needing attention. We replaced the rusty dashboard and performed some floor pan repairs during the process. The goal was to perform the required tasks without re-restoring the entire car.
Upgrades With Drivability In Mind
The foundation is a Roadster Shop chassis, which is not only stiffer than the original GM chassis, but it also incorporates improved suspension geometry, stroger parts, and spring, shock, and steering technology over 50 years more advanced than the 1968 design. The end result is a car that drives phenomenally well while not losing the original 442 appearance. Foose Design wheels provide a modern interpretation of the original 442 Super Stock II wheels wrapped with Nitto tires.
LS3 + TKX = Way More Fun!
The 530 HP all-aluminum Blueprint Engineering LS3 V8 engine provides modern and reliable power while saving weight and eliminating old-design leaks. A Tremec TKX 5-speed transmission from Modern Driveline is able to handle over 600 ft-lbs of torque and adds an overdrive 5th gear, all while capable of 7500+ RPM shifts. It is geared to match the rear axle ratio and power curve of the engine, so the hydraulically-clutched 5-speed adds to the fun while being easy to drive. A Magnaflow exhaust provides just enough rumble at idle, with comfortable sound levels cruising down the road.
Enjoying The Drive
Inside, we’ve upfitted this 1968 442 with Dakota Digital gauges in the dash, along with a Vintage Air A/C system to keep things cool. The Modern Driveline hydraulic clutch works easily and smooth, but still grabs tightly. We found this car to be very comfortable and quiet going down the road, until you mash the throttle and wake up the 530 horsepower LS3!
Follow The Build
The photos tell the story of how the V8 Speed and Resto Shop team transformed this Olds into a road car that the driver can enjoy all day long. Our team is very experienced in building these type of Pro-Touring Muscle Cars for those who put the emphasis on driving performance. What can we build for you? Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop today to chat about your dream classic, Hot Rod, or Muscle Car!
This clean 1964 Ford Falcon Futura came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop looking for some performance upgrades, and we will be installing new front suspension components from Global West and QA1 Motorsports, a Borgeson steering gear, a Flaming River tilt steering column, and more in phase one.
Improving the Style and Performance of a Timeless Design
This awesome 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk concept features a lowered stance on a performance chassis, modern supercharged power (an homage to the belt-driven supercharged V8 available when it was new), plus-sized Halibrand-style wheels, and a great retro-themed color scheme. Look closely at the gold in the fins… there’s a lot going on in there! This project, penned by designer Murray Komant, is one of many bespoke Black Label concepts brewing at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop.
Features:
Supercharged LS Engine, 750 HP
6-Speed Manual or 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
Modern Chassis for Comfort and Handling
Hand-tailored, Luxurious Custom Interior
Make It Yours
There is much to share about this stunning project, and we are happy to discuss the build details and start the construction process. Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop anytime to chat about bringing this stunning Hawk to life, we are excited to add it to your stable!
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro convertible came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop for one of our signature transformations from a stock Camaro RS to a high-performance Pro-Touring machine! Plans call for a Roadster Shop Chassis, modern LT engine power backed by a 10 speed automatic transmission. This one is going to be jammed with lots of cool custom and performance tricks!
