1967 Ford Galaxie Convertible Engine And Suspension Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

The owner recently acquired this fun 1967 Ford Galaxie Convertible and is eager to transform it into a dependable and stylish family cruiser. While the car’s interior and bodywork, completed 5-6 years ago, are in satisfactory condition, he has a vision for several upgrades to enhance its performance, comfort, and safety.

Under the Hood Enhancements

The current 390 engine is experiencing leaks, prompting the owner to consider replacing it with a Ford crate engine. He’s leaning towards a new 347 stroker engine, aiming for a horsepower range of 300-400, while maintaining an automatic transmission. To improve fuel efficiency and reliability, the V8 Speed and Resto Shop Team will be installing a Ford 4R70W overdrive unit.

Focusing on Comfort and Safety

Since this Galaxie is intended for family cruising, the priority is to create a comfortable and safe driving experience. We’ll be adding Vintage Air air conditioning for enhanced climate control, along with a new radiator and heater core to address any existing leaks. Upgrading the power steering pump and lines is also on the list, ensuring a smoother driving experience.

Addressing Electrical Concerns

The V8 team has noticed that the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals appear dim, requiring some updates to the system.

Enhancing the Look and Feel

For a touch of classic style, the owner desires a new vintage-looking steering wheel. He’s also open to recommendations for suspension upgrades, aiming to improve the car’s handling without compromising its original character.

A Work in Progress

The owner acknowledges that the pictures he’s provided are just a starting point, and he’s open to further suggestions as the project progresses. With a clear vision and the assistance of qualified professionals, his Galaxie is well on its way to becoming a reliable and cool cruiser for the whole family to enjoy.

What’s In Your Garage?

Let us know how we can help morph your old car into a fun family cruising experience! Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop today to start the journey.

1977 Chevrolet Corvette LS3 Conversion with TKX 5-Speed at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

1977 Chevrolet Corvette LS3 Conversion at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

This deep blue 1977 Chevrolet Corvette came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop for a new driveline including an LS3 V8, a Tremec TKX 5-Speed manual transmission, and more. These Corvettes look cool and handle well, but the often anaemic, low-compression “smog motors” from the mid 1970s leave much to be desired in the performance department. The V8 Speed and Resto Shop installed a Chevrolet Performance LS3 430 HP crate engine and the Tremec TKX 5-Speed transmission from Modern Driveline designed for high RPM shifting. Dakota Digital RTX gauges provide the driver with the vitals without looking like an add-on. Other suspension upgrades, new wheels, tires, and brakes, sidepipes, and a complete interior restoration by V8 Speed and Resto all add up to a great looking and performing Corvette. If you didn’t think you were a fan of mid 1970’s Corvettes… you are now!

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Suspension Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

This light blue 1967 Chevrolet Camaro looks great, but the owner wanted it to perform better, so he sent it to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop for some suspension upgrades. He plans on some subframe connectors, coil-over shocks, and downsizing the 17″ wheels to a 15″ Rally wheel for a more period look.

Hot Wheels: Chevy Corvette Restomod Build: Custom ’64 Corvette C2 At The V8 Speed Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

Hot Wheels: Chevy Corvette Restomod Build: Custom ’64 Corvette C2 At The V8 Speed and Resto Shop

We’ve all wanted a full-size version of our favorite Hot Wheels car, and this custom 1964 Chevrolet Corvette built at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop makes that dream come true! The restomod Corvette build features custom paint, performance suspension upgrades from Global West, new disc brakes, and a Holley Sniper EFI system install on the Edelbrock 350 crate engine.

The Design

The main part of the project was repainting the Corvette in custom colors. The goal was to give the overall appearance of a full-size Hot Wheels car, a car that is fun to look at and drive! Custom C2 Corvettes can be controversial, as changing a C2 Corvette from original can hurt it’s collector car market value. However, this 1964 Corvette did not have it’s original engine any longer, and the exterior and interior had been changed from their original colors as well. This allowed for some freedom of expression to build a custom Corvette with a new paint job all it’s own.

1964 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Build at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Building The Corvette

This custom Corvette video features disassembling the corvette, repairing the fiberglass body, and a bit of Corvette C2 history. The V8 Speed and Resto Shop paint department repaints the Corvette in Ermine White, then lays out the 3 color custom stripe design. We mask off the stripes and custom paint the Corvette in our downdraft Blowtherm paint booth, and spray a final clear coat.

Watch The Build Video

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

Our team had so much fun with this 1964 Corvette that we even built a 1:64th scale Hot Wheels version to match the full size car!

Let’s Build Your Dream

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop is as full service custom and restoration shop, complete with a full fabrication shop, body shop, paint shop, interior shop, and mechanical departments. We perform stock restorations and complete custom builds, and everything inbetween. LS Swaps, custom body mods, modern driveline swaps, custom interior, custom consoles, high quality custom paint, and dyno tuning are all available. Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop today to see how we can make your custom, restomod, pro-touring, street rod, or performance truck build come to life!

1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ENGINE:	EDLEBROCK CRATE 350
SUSPENSION:	GLOBAL WEST
FUEL INJECTION:	HOLLEY TERMINATOR X
WHEELS:	ROCKET RACING
BODY & PAINT:	V8 SPEED AND RESTO

CONTACT THE V8 SPEED AND RESTO SHOP

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

Take A Desert Cruise in the Corvette! (Thanks to the owner for sharing this video!)

Custom 1964 Corvette Build Photos

#customcorvette #v8speedandresto #corvetterestoration

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

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

1967 Ford Mustang Fastback Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

This bright red 1967 Ford Mustang fastback is a fun car, and it’s about to get even better. It is wearing an older restoration, and is powered by a 428 V8 backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. It came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop for some maintenance and performance suspension upgrades. Follow the photos to see the latest upgrades to this cool 1967 Ford Mustang restomod!

#fastback #restomod #mustang #67mustang #v8speedandresto #v8speedshop

1964 Ford Falcon Convertible Suspension Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

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.

Continue reading →

Family Heirloom Reborn: Breathtaking 1970 Mustang Restomod

Posted on by V8 Staff

A Long-Time Family Member Mustang Is Renewed!

We’ve recently completed a 1970 Ford Mustang convertible restoration here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. This is a cool Mustang Restomod with a rich history, and has been in the same family since the summer of 1972! The V8 Speed team completely disassembled the car for rust repairs and suspension upgrades, fixed the rusty and damaged body, and repainted the Mustang in a nearly-original color.

It’s powered by a Ford 302 V8 backed by a C4 automatic transmission, and was equipped from the factory with air conditioning. Our customer drove the car often, as it was her first car back in 1972. Over the years, the ‘70 Mustang was driven by the next generation in the family, until it was wrecked in 1993 and subsequently parked. It had not been driven since then, and we were happy to return it to the road once completed.

1970 Ford Mustang Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

The Restoration Process

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop team disassembled the entire car, and stripped all the paint to reveal previous damage and rust repairs. The convertible Mustang was mounted on a fixture in our fabrication shop to keep the body structure supported and true, and sheet metal repairs began. The quarter panels, rear tail panel, doors and floors were all replaced with new steel.

While this car is restored to appear original, we modified a few aspects of the car for better drivability, reliability, performance, and more enjoyment. For example, we installed an upgraded front suspension system from Rod and Custom Motorsports, which provides a tubular upper and lower control arm assembly based on the later Mustang II geometry. It also features an oversized sway bar and a rack and pinion steering unit for more precise control and modern Mustang Road feel. Improved front disc brakes are also installed, along with all new plumbing and brake lines to help the Mustang stop better. Familiar but upsized 17” Magnum 500 wheels from Scott Drake are wrapped in Bridgestone tires.

Watch The 1970 Ford Mustang Restoration Videos

1970 Ford Mustang Convertible Restoration Feature at V8 Speed and Resto Shop V8TV

1970 Ford Mustang Convertible Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop V8TV

Adding Complimentary Technology That Fits The Theme

The 302 small block Ford V8 was rebuilt, and is now topped with a FiTech fuel injection system for modern-day reliability, which is also controlling the electronic distributor and ignition timing. This car came from the Ford factory with air conditioning, but we elected to install a more efficient A/C system from Vintage Air, which uses current refrigerant to cool the air. The front accessory drive is a black serpentine system from CVF Racing, complete with a high-flow water pump and higher output alternator.

The color is very close to the original Ford Medium Bright Blue, but it’s been tweaked a bit as preferred by the owner for a bit more… pop! And where the original paint was a single-stage blue, today’s urethane 2-stage basecoat / clearcoat shines far more than the original finish ever did.

New Interior With A Familiar Look

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop interior shop rebuilt the bucket seats and rear seat, upholstering them in the original white / parchment hue, and a new black carpet covers the sound-deadened floor. The top frame and hydraulic system was restored, and we installed a new white convertible top. Fresh glass looks crisp and clean, Dozens of new trim pieces from Classic Industries were installed to make things new again inside.

This family heirloom 1970 Mustang Convertible is nicer looking, and nicer to drive, than it was when it rolled off the assembly line brand new. We at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop are honored to have the opportunity to bring it to a new level for many more years of family enjoyment.

V8 Speed and Resto Is Ready To Renew Your Classic or Muscle Car!

Weather It’s a stock original restoration, a mild restomod, a road-hugging pro-touring machine, a fiery hot rod, or a full-out custom, the V8 Team has what it takes to bring your dream car to life. Contact us anytime to chat about your desires and how we can create a one-of-a-kind ride just for you!

—###—

Author: Miguel Pujols
Content: Great job, she’s better than new, hope the family enjoys for many smile per mile of years ahead! The classic always appeal to me its like stepping in a time machine, but a RestoMod where it counts makes it so much sweeter…

—###—

Author: James Hutchins
Content: Absolutely beautiful! Love the very sensible upgrades making her a sweet daily driver or a show car. A true win win.

—###—

Author: Jason Hull
Content: Looks so sharp and clean.
You guys sure do good work. I would be honored to build classic’s with you guys ! Keep em coming. We can’t get enough of them.
I’d love to see what you could do to My 1970 Camaro too. Lol

—###—

Author: Rick Read
Content: Absolutely gorgeous! I like every thing that was upgraded to modernize the car, I’m loving it!

—###—

Author: JSR Roadrash
Content: Your team does outstanding work. Beautiful Mustang with a great history.

—###—

Author: Annatar the Maia
Content: What comes out of your workshops isn’t work, it’s art.

—###—

Author: Trip Reviews
Content: Although I like an all original mustang this is a fantastic updated 1970 Mustang. The classic look has been maintained and yet it is new. Nice. 👍

—###—

Author: GPLIPP
Content: Another home run guys. Well done!!

—###—

Author: Plymouth Die-Cast Replicas
Content: Gorgeous pony car. Incredible job, guys. The biggest thumbs up👍👍👍

—###—

Author: J. G.
Content: Beautiful work 👍

—###—

Author: Charles Dalton
Content: There are so many things well done on this car but I kept coming back to the panel gaps. They look like they were cut with a laser – holy mackerel!

—###—

Author: KFH
Content: More great work… A Real Beauty!!!

—###—

Author: Codename C.A.R.S
Content: Nice car!

—###—

Author: John R Smith
Content: I had the identical car, except mine had the deluxe interior, which included a console. Absolutely the worst car I ever owned, because of a complete lack of quality control during assembly. Virtually everything was wrong with the car, and I only owned it for 3500 miles. Sad, because it was a neat little car.

—###—

Author: Kenan Turkiye
Content: There’s something about metallic blue and chrome on a good car.

—###—

Author: echoi
Content: This restomod is the gold standard on what a restomod should be. Compared to cars with chrome air cleaners, chrome valve covers, Obnoxious 20″ rims, those generic jeep LED units, and obnoxiously loud speakers in the back. Eeewww

—###—

Author: Jerome Hansen
Content: Nice

—###—

1969 Chevrolet Camaro EFI and Suspension Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

Taking a restomod 1969 Camaro to the next level

This stunning 1969 Camaro may look finished, but at V8 Speed & Resto Shop, we know there’s always room for improvement. Take a closer look as we transform this classic muscle car into a road-ready performer!

Under the Hood:

Holley Sniper EFI System: We ditch the carburetor for a modern fuel injection system, boosting power, efficiency, and drivability on the 396 cubic inch engine.

Suspension and Handling:

Detroit Speed Upgrade: For sharper handling and a smoother ride, we install high-performance Detroit Speed suspension components.
Wilwood Disc Brakes: More power and better handling require predictable and powerful brakes.
YearOne 17″ Billet Chevy Rally Wheels: Traditional look with better clearance for modern brakes.

Further Upgrades:

Vintage Air A/C System: Beat the heat in comfort with a modern air conditioning system from Vintage Air.
Tremec TKX 5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission: Cruise effortlessly on the highway with a modern 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

This cool green Camaro is a perfect example of how restoration and performance upgrades can come together to create a truly special car. Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to plan the next steps for your muscle car!