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!!!!
There are a lot of details to watch when replacing a quarter panel!
Quarter panels are the large, steel body panels that reach from the trailing edge of the door to the rear taillight panel, and from the roof down to the lower rocker panel and wheel opening on a Classic or Muscle Car.
Quarter panels are integral structural parts of the car, and play a significant role in the construction, strength, and safety of the car’s body and chassis. Some cars, like Chevrolet Camaros, are not body-on-frame construction, meaning the body itself is the main structure of the car. These are known as “unit-body” or “unibody” designs, and are also found in Pontiac Firebirds, Chevrolet Novas, Dodge Challengers, Plymouth Roadrunners, Ford Mustangs, and many other popular classic and Muscle Cars.
Over time, quarter panels are prone to wear, rust, and crash damage, and are often in need of repair or replacement. Many new reproduction quarter panels exist for popular cars. When new panels are not available, original equipment panels can often be sourced from a donor car, reconditioned, and installed on another car… if done properly. Continue reading for the details!
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner arrived at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop in preparation for a major facelift. Plans include a Superbird conversion and a late-model Hemi engine swap backed by a 6-speed manual transmission! Of course, the front and rear suspension systems will be upgraded to match. The V8 Team is extremely excited to bring this car to the next level! Read More to see the photos and videos!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!
Below are answers to many common restoration questions, but we always encourage customers to email or call us anytime to chat!
Where is your shop located?
The V8 Speed & Resto Shop is located in the heart of the USA, 1/2 hour from St. Louis, MO, in Red Bud, IL
817 S. Main Street, Red Bud, IL 62278 (314)783.8325
What do you do in your shop?
We perform complete restoration services, ranging from simple classic-car maintenance to full rotisserie, show-quality restorations, custom car designing and building, hot rods, and much more.
We currently have 31 people on staff, including dedicated metal fabricators, mechanics, body technicians, painters, interior technicians, parts restoration technicians, detailers, video / TV production, photography, web development, and administration.
How much does a restoration cost?
While often asked, it is impossible to predict the total cost of a restoration when considering the numerous variables of a project Including parts choices, and quantity of work. These variables are discussed in detail as we work with the customer to learn their goals. Unfortunately, we cannot have any responsible discussions about costs without seeing and inspecting the car in person in our shop.
Factors affecting costs include:
Condition of vehicle
Type of vehicle
Quality of restoration desired
Types and amount of modifications
Desired time-frame of job
Choice of and Availability of parts for vehicle
These and many more elements determine the overall restoration cost, but we can assist in the planning of your project to help your vision come to life.
Can you help me plan my restoration?
Planning and Project Management are two very important parts of the restoration process, and we work with the vehicle owner to create a solid plan and then stick to the plan to prevent additional time and costs.
How do I get my car to your shop?
Vehicle owners are free to bring the car themselves, or we will help find transport options to deliver the car.
Vehicle owners are responsible for packing their car and/or parts safely for transport. Should a vehicle be returned to the owner disassembled, the owner is requested to supply or pay for packing materials, moving blankets, crating, tie-down straps, or other items needed for safe transport. An enclosed trailer is also requested. The V8 Speed & Resto Shop is capable of protecting and loading a vehicle for transport, however the standard shop rate will apply along with any additional materials such as blankets, crating, protective foam, or other materials required.
What if I do not have a vehicle yet, can you find one for me?
We can assist with locating a car. We provide vehicle location and inspection services for customers for a finder’s fee.
How long do restorations take?
Depending on the factors listed earlier, restorations can take months to several years.
Do you do modifications?
We perform many kinds of modifications to meet the customer’s needs. These include:
Custom car design and building.
Custom metal fabrication
Electronic fuel injection installs
Modern engine installs & tuning
Air conditioning systems
Custom interior, consoles, etc.
Overdrive transmissions
Custom exhaust
Audio, navigation, and entertainment systems
Improved braking & suspension systems
Performance modifications
Body fit enhancements & custom work
Safety improvements
Complete interior restoration & custom work
Complete restoration project documentation and photography
… and many more!
Do you complete stock original restorations?
Yes. We can return a vehicle to as-new condition or modify it as the customer wishes.
Do you work with other shops?
We perform most of the restoration services in our shop. We have had customers request that certain stages of their restoration be done by other shops during the process. While we are generally OK with this, it must be noted that if a partially completed restoration project leaves our shop to visit another, the vehicle has left our control and we are not responsible for the other shop’s work or damage incurred on the vehicle. This can include paint chips and scratches, “un-doing” of our work for another shop to perform tasks, loss or breakage of parts, changes in our design or installation of parts, other shops not working to the same quality standard as our shop, etc. The customer is responsible for the time necessary for our crew to package and load the parts and vehicle should it leave our shop. We will photograph the entire vehicle before it departs to have an accurate description of condition and completeness before it leaves so the customer can be sure of the status when the vehicle left our shop. Likewise, we will document the condition of the vehicle when it returns to our shop for completion and alert the customer of any issues found that occurred out of our possession.
How is billing handled?
Once a plan is in place, we request a pre-payment for parts to purchase to help us start the process. This amount will be different for each project, but the money is used to help cover the initial parts orders, or material costs needed to begin the job.
Our shop sends invoices to the customer every week to ensure that our shop and our customers are in constant communication and “on the same page.” We charge a shop rate for time, parts and materials are additional. Parts may incur a shipping charge.
The invoices are generated from our Technicians’ time entries as they work, so there is great detail on our invoices. However, we are always happy to provide greater detail or explanation of services should the customer request it.
Due to our weekly invoicing structure, payment is expected upon customer receipt of invoice. If payment is not promptly received, work will be suspended and the vehicle will be placed into storage until the customer account is brought to current status. Pre-payment terms are available to prevent customers from accruing a balance with the shop.
We understand there are times when a project needs to be “put on hold”, and we will gladly work with customers who let us know in advance that they foresee a work stoppage. Should a customer fail to submit payment in a timely manner, we will make arrangements to place the vehicle in local storage at the customer’s cost of $150.00 / month until the balance is caught up or a solution is agreed upon. This protects the customer from incurring any additional labor charges while the vehicle is in storage. We are flexible and are always willing to work with a customer to help ensure the project is completed to their expectations.
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, or online payments through credit cards and e-checks. Paying by check or cash is preferred. Echecks have a $3.00 fee . Credit cards are convenient, but there is a service fee charged to us which we in turn add to your next invoice. The average fee is about 3.5%.
If you click on the view and the pay invoice button “Debit card” is underlined in green, you can select bank transfer or credit card by clicking on the words. The bank transfer option allows you to enter your checking account info and pay by check online.
Our shop labor rate is subject to change during the lifespan of a project. In the event that our labor rate changes, any project that is within ninety (90) days of completion will be exempt from the rate change. If it is determined that the project will require longer than ninety (90) days to complete, the owner will be notified of the labor rate change prior to invoicing. Our employees are our greatest assets. This adjustment allows us to provide competitive compensation and benefits, fostering a motivated and skilled workforce that is dedicated to meeting your needs effectively.
What happens if I have a question about something on an invoice?
Should there be a question about an invoice, we encourage customers to contact the shop as quickly as possible to resolve the matter. We understand there are sometimes items on invoices that require clarification, and we encourage our customers to review and question the invoices upon receipt to make sure everything makes sense and appears correct. We are always eager to provide greater detail or adjust for billing errors should they occur.
How are consumables handled?
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2024, one of our key goals is to continuously improve our services and provide you with the most efficient, effective, and high-quality experience possible. To improve this process, we will be entering one line for all consumables on invoices created after the 29th of March. In order to be fair to all customers, we will be charging 6% of the total invoice. For your reference, here is a partial list of the consumables we will no longer be listing individually on your invoice:
Paint, clears, primers, activators, hardeners
Wet sand and buffing supplies
Electrical terminals, wire, some fuses, flashers and bulbs
Aerosol lubricants and cleaners
Nuts, bolts, washers and screws
Adhesives and gasket sealants
Heat shrink, wire loom and techflex
Abrasives, seam sealers, tape, masking papers and plastics
Paint prep towels and cleaning chemicals
Upholstery glues, clips, staples, and other supplies
Grommets, trim clips and fittings
Rubber hoses for fuel, power steering, antifreeze and brake lines
Zip-ties, cotter keys and other clips
Thread locking compounds
Drill Bits
Cutting tools, end mills, grinding stones
Assembly lubricants, oils, anti-seize compounds
Machine Lubricant / Coolant
Solvent tank chemicals
Caps and plugs
Body filler products
Car cleaning products
Alignment shims and tire balance weights
Hose clamps and other line clamps
Some body plugs and rubber bumpers
Brass fittings and small brake and fuel fittings
Some body bolts and nutserts
Trim clips and rivets
Patch panel material
Bushings and o-rings
Freeze plugs and springs
Gasket making compounds
Wire wheels and sanding discs
Cut off wheels and sanding belts
Tig and Mig wire and tungsten
Small carb or fuel parts
We understand that any change can raise questions, and we’re always happy to discuss this further. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any inquiries or concerns regarding this new process.
Do you sell parts?
We are authorized retailers for many industry-leading automotive part manufacturers. We sell everything from restoration parts to performance parts to replacement repair parts.
Who supplies the parts for my car?
Our policy is that the V8 Speed & Resto Shop sells the parts we install on cars built in our shop. Consider the following:
We build LOTS of cars, so we are dealers for all the major restoration and performance parts. We work very hard to build relationships with the dealers to get great quality parts and service.
We KNOW the parts. Many times, there are several options for restoration or performance parts, and we know the “good ones” to use. The wrong choice can equate to additional labor time making something fit or work properly, where the right choice can be a huge time saver.
When we order the parts, we can track the parts. We maintain a highly detailed spreadsheet for each car in the shop. We log all the part numbers, suppliers, date ordered, order status, shipping date, tracking numbers, and arrival date when they reach the shop. If there is ever a problem, we can track, return, or exchange the parts quickly.
Incorrect parts are delivered to our shop far more often than one might think. This can come from mis-labeling at the factory, a part not meeting our quality standards, a broken or damaged part, or a variety of other reasons. Depending on the supplier, returns can be quick and easy, or a drawn-out process requiring constant back-and-forth communication. Customer supplied parts can add significant time and distress to this process, especially when the crew is waiting on decisions from a customer who is unavailable. When we order the parts, we can manage these situations more efficiently while reducing headaches for the customer.
Because of our strong relationships with our suppliers and our dealer status, suppliers often provide additional services to find us what we need in a timely manner.
Have you heard the saying, “You don’t bring steak to a steakhouse?” We spend a lot of time researching the best parts and suppliers to use. By installing what we sell, we can offer better support should a part not perform as expected.
We cannot warranty parts supplied by customers.
We are a retailer, not a wholesaler, so there is a markup on parts. This – fee helps to cover the research, quality control, handling, and administrative tasks associated with parts selection, ordering, and management.
KEEP IN MIND that MANY restoration and performance parts have NO FACTORY WARRANTY, and often, the time frame from part purchase to installation can be longer than the factory warranty.
What happens to parts removed from my vehicle?
There are often left-over parts from a restoration or upgrade.
We recycle scrap metal and dispose of items that are unusable or destroyed during removal, unless the customer specifically requests these items back before their disassembly.
We request that customers manage these extra parts. We can help bundle parts for pickup by customers, labor charges may be incurred.
We prefer not to be responsible for the storage, sale, shipping, or other handling of take-off parts, as this process can be very time and space consuming.
Will my car be photographed during the restoration process?
All the cars are photographed for internal documentation and communication purposes, some are displayed in public galleries to share with the world, and some are even featured on V8TV‘s TV and Web show!
Do you do partial restorations / modifications, or only complete cars?
We perform everything from simple classic car maintenance to rotisserie show-car restorations and complete custom and hot rod construction.
What about mechanical upgrades, like fuel injection or air conditioning installs?
We install many popular upgrades to make them safer, more reliable, and more enjoyable to drive.
How do you safety check, tune, and “break-in” a completed restoration?
We drive and tune the cars we restore to ensure all systems are safe, working properly, and the car performs as intended. This can be up to 300 -500 miles on complex cars, less on others. We resolve minor issues that come up while the car is still in our possession before delivery so we can quickly remedy them. Keep in mind that if a customer mandates a timeline that does not allow our team to perform the required driving “break-in”, the customer may encounter issues with the vehicle that arise with initial usage.
How does a restoration affect the value of my vehicle?
There are many factors that determine the value of a vehicle, including:
The total production amount of a vehicle – lower usually means higher value
The mileage of the vehicle
The documentation of the vehicle, original bill of sale, build sheets, etc.
The condition of the vehicle
The options installed from the factory – sometimes cars with no options are worth more than those with many!
The current state of the market
Level of originality of vehicle
They say “They are only original once” and that statement holds bearing on vehicle values. For example, a sought-after car like a 1970 Chevelle, outfitted from the factory with the SS 454 performance package, in bright red, with low miles, and in excellent original condition, is most likely going to be worth more than a restored version with performance upgrades that are not original.
It is very possible to spend more on a restoration than the car is worth on the open market.
Our shop specializes in what we call “Heirloom Cars”, meaning these are vehicles that have more sentimental or nostalgic value than current street market value. These are cars that the owners never plan to sell. Perhaps the car belonged to a family member or was bought new and never left the family. Perhaps it is a car that a customer had years ago and always regretted selling, and how has another. We understand the value of these sentimental attachments and treat the cars with the same level of respect as our customers do.
We are NOT the shop to come to if you want to “flip” a car bought cheaply and try to make a big profit… we do not perform “quickie” paint and restoration jobs just to make a car look good for a sale. The term is “putting lipstick on a pig” and that’s not how we operate. We maintain a specific set of core values that dictate how we work and the quality we deliver.
If a customer is seeking a fun car to drive, it might be best to start with a lower-level version of the car of choice… for example, it’s probably not a good idea to heavily modify a numbers-matching 1969 Camaro Z/28 with a different engine and aftermarket performance parts. However, finding a “plain-Jane” version.. a base model Camaro, maybe a 6-cylinder car, will not reduce the overall value by a V8 conversion and modified parts.
What happens if the plan changes midway through a restoration?
We work with the customer to formulate a solid build plan, but there is a situation that we call “Might as well syndrome”, where the customer adds items to a restoration purely because of an opportunity to do so. For example, if the crew is restoring the front suspension, and the parts are disassembled, that’s logically a good time to upgrade the stock suspension to something offering better performance. After all, the parts are already disassembled, why do the work twice? “Might as well do it now while it’s apart!” The customer needs to recognize that these changes WILL add additional time and cost to the restoration of a vehicle, and will negate any original budget plan or estimate made. A simple analogy is a restaurant… the steak dinner might list as $20.00 on the menu, but when you add drinks, salad, dessert, and tax… the bill is no longer $20.00. Change Orders will be agreed upon by the customer and V8 Speed & Resto Shop when the plans change, so that everyone has the same understanding of the scope of work and costs involved.
It’s important to keep in mind that these are old cars, and they have possible crash damage, hidden rust / corrosion, or previous repairs that might present themselves during the restoration process. As hard as we try, we cannot always “see through the paint” and know what a car might require until the job has started. We always present our findings to the customer for discussion and a repair plan and then proceed as directed, but these situations can add costs and time to a project.
If the customer orders a work stoppage on the car, the customer will be charged storage fees while work is stopped. This includes if the stoppage is due to a customer mandated outside service provider doing work on the car (customer mandated machine shop or other outside service, for example). However, if a delay or work stoppage is motivated by the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, there will be no storage fees incurred.
Our goal is to provide quality and efficient service, so we request that when we contact you with a question or concern, please respond as soon as possible so we may proceed with work or parts ordering without delay. As you can understand, parts production and availability can be delayed, and we do not wish to add time to the process.
Whose insurance covers the car during the build?
The owner is required to insure the car, but we maintain a full shop-keeper’s policy to protect the vehicle under our care, custody, and control.
We store all vehicles indoors each night, and our facility is gated with alarms and security cameras. No customer vehicle is stored outside overnight.
We are not responsible for damages resulting from previous work performed by other shops.
Our insurance company will not insure a customer’s car stored at our off site storage units. Customers’ insurance must cover the car when in the storage units.
Is there anything you do NOT do in-house?
Although some services are not completed by our staff, we have resources to manage these tasks on any project, such as media blasting.
These policies and procedures are subject to change and improvements as needed without notice.
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!
This very cool 1968 Chevrolet El Camino is a real, numbers-matching L78 396 SS with a Muncie M22 4-speed. These are very rare 375 HP engines, found in only 393 ’68 ElCaminos new. It came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop looking to be straightened out and to look like it did when new.
This great-looking 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster is visiting the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for some performance upgrades, with the big one being the install of a Chevrolet Performance ZZ427 engine and Holley EFI. We’ll also be upgrading the brakes and suspension to handle the 485 HP from the new mill. Read More to see the photos and videos!
Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!