1949 Oldsmobile Sedan Delivery Upgrades at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

The Original Rocket V8!

This cool 1949 Oldsmobile is powered by the original 303 Rocket Oldsmobile V8, but is wearing a smooth custom look with a lowered stance, vintage green exterior, and fully a finished interior. The 1949 Oldsmobile joined Cadillac as the second American automaker to mass produce an overhead valve V8 engine, and this version remained in production until 1953.

Returning The Olds To The Road

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop team aims to make the car more enjoyable to drive all day long, installing power steering, air conditioning, disc brakes, cruise control, tilt wheel, and perhaps some seat upgrades as well. Fuel injection might be in the cards, we’ll post all the pictures and videos here so you can follow the progress of this unique resto-mod street rod… is that a “Street Mod?” Hmmm…

Follow The Upgrades

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop is ready to perform a stock and original restoration or build a high performance restomod just for you. Contact us anytime to chat about your project goals!

🚀 1949 Oldsmobile Sedan Delivery Restomod: 303 Rocket Rebuild, Custom IFS, & Full Interior – Part 2

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Building And Restoring Dream Cars for 20 Years

1949 Oldsmobile Sedan Delivery Rocket Olds Engine and Suspension Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

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

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

A New Version Of An Old Friend

This cool 1966 Chevelle is the second for it’s owner Larry Frees, who might be familiar as the caretaker of the “Mr. Chevy” 1955 Chevy gasser and hauler ramp truck. He had a Marina Blue ‘66 Chevelle in his youth, and this car connects him to the car he had long ago. Larry provided us with the beginning of the restoration story as it unfolds in the V8 Speed & Resto Shop. The car turned out beautifully, after some sheet metal surgery, laser-straight bodywork, and a custom color brewed in-house… named “Tropical Frees!” It’s putting out over 400 horsepower, it rides on air, and looks fantastic!

Highlights of the Build

True SS 396: A real 138 VIN 1966 Chevelle SS, reimagined with passion and precision.
Custom Powertrain: Features a bored-out 396 to 402ci engine with a full roller valvetrain, paired with a Richmond 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive and Holley fuel injection.
Air Ride Suspension: Fully adjustable air ride system for a smooth, customizable ride.
Body and Paint: New quarter panels, trunk floor, tail pan, and deck lid, with meticulous metalwork to ensure tight, uniform gaps. Painted in a unique “Tropical Freeze” aqua-teal with pearl and metallic flair.
Custom Interior: Two-tone Fawn and Buckskin interior with a metallic cardboard-inspired dash, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air AC, and a hand-painted tropical graphic.
Modern Touches: LED taillight inserts, 17″ chrome Craig SS wheels, and a smoothed rear package tray with flush 6×9 speakers.
Day Three Philosophy: Because it was not a numbers matching, all original car, it was built with a blend of classic SS 396 style with modern upgrades like fuel injection, air suspension, and enhanced power (over 400 HP!).

Why This Build Stands Out

This Chevelle isn’t just a restoration—it’s a reimagining of a classic, balancing authenticity with modern performance. Our team at V8 Speed and Resto spent months refining every detail, from TIG-welding panels for precision fitment to block-sanding the body for flawless reflections. The result is a car that looks like it’s carved from a single piece of steel, with a vibrant custom color and a roaring exhaust that demands attention.

Watch The Video:

Get in Touch

Dreaming of bringing your own classic car to life? Whether it’s a muscle car like this Chevelle, a fat-fendered beauty from the ’40s, or a gem from the ’80s or ’90s, we’re here to make it happen. Contact Us to start planning your dream build!

V8 Speed and Resto Shop

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

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

Links & Resources

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Restoration at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

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

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

The Build Photos

V8 Black Label Custom 1959 Chrysler Saratoga “Sara-To-Go”

Posted on by V8 Staff

Who Says Kustom’s Can’t Perform?

This captivating customized 1959 Chrysler Saratoga is nicknamed “Sara-To-Go”, and for good reason. Sure, it features some excellent traditional kustom styling cues – like the lowered stance, 1957 Chevrolet BelAir trim, smoothed grille, 1958 Saratoga headlights, upper grille bar, and bumper, and other nip-and-tuck tricks. The ’58 Tahitian Coral paint and charcoal accents really pop, and the brushed modern wheels bring it all around visually. But the fun is just beginning with the look of this smooth ride. This project, penned by designer Murray Komant, is one of many bespoke Black Label concepts brewing at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop.

More Than A Lead-Sled

This Saratoga gets its “go” from a warmed over, full-roller Mopar 413 Max Wedge, because everyone has a Hemi these days, right? Bolted to a modern 10 speed automatic, or a 6-speed stick if you wish, this high-tech version of a classic Mopar torque monster featured aluminum heads and intake, high-end EFI, and a fully coated and balanced rotating assembly. Modern suspension design and steering comfortably manage the twisties, with electric assist brakes, forged wheels, and grippy rubber do their thing down low.

Features:

EFI Chrysler 413 Max Wedge Engine, 580 HP
6-Speed Manual or 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
Modern Chassis for Comfort and Handling
Hand-tailored, Luxurious Custom Interior

Time To Hit The Road

This Saratoga is a winner on many levels, and one not to forget is the size. It’s able to bring the crew or the family along for the fun, but the sumptuous hand-stitched power bucket seats, tilt wheel, high-power audio, A/C, and other amenities make it a solo driver’s machine as well. Smell the leather. Hear the rumble. Get comfortable. Play your tunes. Put the hammer down and feel the endless torque. This is your time.

Let’s Build Yours

There is much to share about this performance custom, 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 Chrysler to life, we can’t wait for your first drive!

Enjoying A Summer Night In A 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible Video V8TV

Posted on by V8 Staff

Taking an opportunity for a quick summer evening ride!

Summer’s here and the time is right for taking a cruise in a cool old car! This time, we take a minute while enjoying a ride down Bluff Road in our 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL convertible. This car has been in V8 Speed and Resto Shop’s Kevin Oeste’s family since 1993 and is a very special car to us, even though Kevin and Kelle don’t get as many chances to drive it as they’d like. However, even a short trip down a great road on a beautiful night does a world of good for the mind and soul. And like we said, old cars make new friends! We’ll share more video on the latest updates on the Galaxie in an upcoming video, subscribe so you don’t miss it!

## V8 Radio Podcast
http://www.v8radio.com

## V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

#fordgalaxie #convertible #v8speedshop

1979 Ford Bronco Updates at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

Bringing more power to an iconic Ford Bronco!

This super-cool 1979 Ford Bronco recently arrived at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop looking for some basic mainenance and mechanical upgrades. It’s already wearing a nice restoration, but the original 351 M engine was just plain worn out, so the V8 Team is going to be adding some new power to this 4-wheel drive 1970s throwback fun machine!

Follow along in the complete 1979 Ford Bronco Photo Gallery below:

V8 Speed and Resto Shop – 817 S. Main Street Red Bud, IL 62278 – 314.783.8325 – https://www.v8speedshop.com

1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air III 400 5-Speed Conversion and Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

Adding WAY more fun to the GTO!

We’ve worked on this clean 1970 Pontiac GTO several times here at the V8 Speed & Resto Shop, and this time, we installed a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission from Modern Driveline, complete with a hydraulic clutch and a Hurst shifter.

In the past, we’ve removed, resealed, and detailed the Ram Air III 400 cubic inch V8 engine, and upgraded it with a March serpentine accessory drive system.

The owner Mo is a US Army Veteran and has become a great friend of our team. He and his wife really enjoy Classics and Muscle Cars, and we appreciate them as customers, friends, and general positive role models for the car hobby.

We invite you to contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop anytime at 314.783.8325 for a Coyote swap or restoration for your classic car, truck, or muscle car.

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.

V8 Speed & Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud,IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com
resto@v8speedshop.com

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

#gto5speed #v8speed #v8speed&resto

The One That Got Away Is Back – 1977 Buick Regal S/R

Posted on by V8 Staff

Reconnecting The Owner With His Favorite Car

So many of us live with the regret of selling a favorite car. The story of a growing family and the limitations of hauling kids in a 2-door coupe is a pretty common tale that often ended in that prized coupe heading down the road with a new owner in favor of a bonafide family truckster. This was the case with a particular family man and his beloved 1977 Buick Regal. Had it, sold it, missed it. Until, that is, many years later when his now-grown son reached out to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to replace the one that got away! One fun element was that the owner’s family owns the local Red Bud IGA Grocery Store across the street from our shop!

Finding A Unicorn

The car in question… a red 1977 Buick Regal, was unfortunately wrecked after the sale. The owner’s son approached our team to help locate and revitalize another red ’77… have you seen one of these driving around lately? A car that once seemed ubiquitous on the streets of America had seemed to be erased from time. Thankfully, a multi-sided search concluded when the owner’s son called and said “I found one, and am sending it to your shop to make it as close to Dad’s as possible!”

From The Owner: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – “These folks do incredible work ! My 1977 Buick Regal was fully restored by this team and the job ( especially the white leather interior) was done to perfection ! I highly recommend this company if you want superior quality. Respectfully, T.J. Norrenberns Owner TJC Markets INC.”

It Had To Be Right

The original car wasn’t just any ’77 Buick, however. It was red with a white interior, bucket seats, floor shifter, T-tops, white vinyl top, and the V2.0 car had to be the same. Amazingly, the car the son found was also red with T-tops and buckets, but the interior was red cloth. Not gonna happen. That’s when the V8 Speed and Resto Shop Interior Shop sprung into action turning the red to white.

Taking the Interior Up a Notch

Changing the interior color sounds simple, but there were dozens of red plastic parts that needed to be color-matched to white, along with the headliner, rear package shelf, door panels, and the seat upholstery. It turns out that brilliant white seat covers are not falling off the shelves at the local parts store, so our team had to make them from scratch. New patterns were created, and piece by piece the seat covers, both for the front buckets and the rear full-width seat were sewn. New filler material was added to the frames before the covers were stretched over and cinched to perfection. The end result? A gleaming, bright white interior that is nicer than any done by Buick in 1977.

See The Surprise Reveal Video!

The Reveal

The best part of this story is how the customer’s son staged a suprise reveal for his Dad at the 30th anniversary of the family’s business, an IGA Grocery Store in Red Bud, IL. They had a huge party to thank their staff, customers, vendors, and the community for their support of the store over the years. The big surprise came after the ceremony when the son presented his Dad with the keys to the freshly updated Regal, and it was a magic moment! We were so happy for the family to be able to reconnect their Dad to some of the best times of his life through his prized Buick… and that’s the V8 Speed and Resto Shop mission statement in action!

The 1977 Buick Regal story as told in the V8 Radio Podcast, click to listen!

1977 Buick Regal S/R Update Photos

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

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

1938 Chevy Hot Rod Truck Build at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

A Fun and Creative Hot Rod Built To Drive

We’re working on a cool 1938 Chevy pickup truck rat rod bobber that rolled into our fab shop with a chopped cab, a tubular chassis, zoomie pipes, and a vision to blend vintage patina with a solid foundation. At V8 Speed and Resto Shop, we’re connecting the dots to make this 1938 Chevy rat rod safe, stylish, and a total blast to drive!

1938 Chevy Hot Rod Intro Video

Key Highlights:

New dropped axle and hairpin suspension for smooth handling.
Disc brakes for reliable stopping power.
Focus on safety and functionality while maintaining the raw, vintage look.
Discussion of top chop techniques and resources.
The importance of stance in hot rod builds.

Builder’s Resource: “How to Chop Tops” by Tony Thacker

(Check out our Bonneville Up to Speed podcast for an interview with Tony!)

Chopping tops is an art, and the book “How to Chop Tops” by Tony Thacker is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to lower the lid on their Hot Rod or Kustom. Check our Bonneville Up Top Speed Podcast for an interview with the man himself!

https://www.bonnevillepodcast.com

Get your copy of How To Chop Tops Book Here:

How to Chop Tops: A Pictorial Guide to Hot Rodding's Most Popular Modification

🔥 Got a Project?

From rat rods to muscle cars, we’ve got you covered. Visit us at https://www.v8speedshop.com or call (314) 783-8325 to bring your dream ride to life!

1938 Chevy Hot Rod Truck Build Photos

V8 SPEED AND RESTO SHOP

817 S. Main Street

Red Bud, IL 62278

314.783.8325

https://www.v8speedshop.com

🔶 Striking Gold: Painting Stripes, EFI, and Other Upgrades on a 1972 Chevrolet Camaro at V8 Speed and Resto

Posted on by V8 Staff

A head-turning 1972 Chevrolet Camaro cruised into the V8 Speed and Resto Shop recently, ready for a touch of cosmetic magic and some TLC. The owner wanted to accentuate the Camaro’s gorgeous gold paint with some classic black Z/28 stripes, and let’s just say, we were chomping at the bit to show off the results!

The treatment included a fresh coat on the hood and deck lid, along with the addition of those sharp black stripes. To add a bit of extra flair, we also installed some sleek Ringbrothers hood hinges. But that’s not all – we we took care of a few other maintenance items to keep this beauty running smoothly.

At the heart of the engine upgrade was the installation of a Holley Terminator X EFI system. This modern fuel injection system replaced the original carburetor, providing precise fuel delivery and improved performance. To support the EFI system, several additional components were added, including a Holley fuel pump module, a mechanical fuel pump block-off plate, and a fuel pressure regulator. ARP fasteners were used throughout, and a Lokar transmission kick-down bracket and cable were fitted to ensure smooth gear changes.

To improve the Camaro’s handling and drivability, a new Borgeson power steering gearbox and rag joint was installed. The Borgeson steering box enhances road feel while adding a level of precision to the Camaro’s steering that had eroded over the decades.

This is just the beginning for this stunning Camaro. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to work our magic and elevate this classic muscle car to even greater heights! We can’t wait to share the final product with all of you. In the meantime, if you have a car that’s craving a makeover, drop on by V8 Speed and Resto Shop – we’d love to chat about your vision!

Click this link or call 314.783.8325 to contact us for upgrades or a complete restoration!

1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible Restoration at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Posted on by V8 Staff

THIS PROJECT FEATURES:

Restored 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible Frame

FRAME OFF RESTORATION

CUSTOM FIREWALL

1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible Restoration at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop

CUSTOM PAINT

A Trusted Companion Since 1973

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a mid-range car produced by General Motors for those seeking comfortable, reliable, and stylish vehicles. The Cutlass Supreme was the fanciest version of the Cutlass you could buy, and the 1971 convertible is one of 10,255 built that year.

The owner of this particular car purchased it in 1973 and has driven and enjoyed it ever since. However, over time, the car started to show its age, so he called the V8 Speed and Resto Shop to restore it.

Tearing Down To Build Back Up

The team at V8 Speed and Resto Shop began by media blasting the chassis to remove all the rust and corrosion, and then powder coated it in a black finish similar to the original paint. They also replaced the original suspension parts with tubular control arms and billet coil-over shocks from QA1, and a Borgeson steering gear for better road feel and steering performance.

The body was stripped in search of rust and damage, and any rust holes were repaired with new steel. The team also repaired the bottom of the door shell to replace some rust holes. Their mission was to use as much of the original GM steel as possible on this car to keep it as authentic as possible.

Renewing The Driveline

The original Olds 350 V8 engine was also given a refresh. The engine was disassembled, cleaned, measured, and remachined, and new rod and main bearings, pistons, rings, gaskets, and all new ARP hardware were installed. A COMP hydraulic roller camshaft conversion was installed, which not only added a cam profile designed to increase the engine’s torque output, but also uses roller lifters to reduce friction and the risk of the cam going flat. Once it was all assembled, the engine was topped with an aluminum intake manifold and a Holley Terminator X electronic fuel injection system for increased reliability.

Vibrant Green Once Again

The body was then painted in its original code 43 Lime Green Metallic color, and the team carefully re-mounted the body panels, making sure nothing got bumped or chipped in the process. Once installed, all the exterior surfaces were sanded once again in preparation for sealer and the color and clear application.

After a couple months of curing time, the paint team started the wetsanding and buffing process on the paint to further flatten the surface and bring out the gloss. The restored trim, lettering, and badges were then carefully installed.

New Upholstery And Bright Spoked Wheels

The interior was renewed, with the seats, door panels, rear side panels, dash pad, sun visors, carpet, and more being rebuilt or replaced. A new A/C system from Vintage Air was installed, and the dashboard and firewall were bodyworked and painted satin black.

The convertible top mechanism and hydraulics were also restored, and a new white convertible top was installed. The car also got a set of custom made Dayton chrome spoked wheels with white pinstriped tires.

The original gauges were restored and updated with LED lights, and a quartz conversion was installed to keep the original clock hands spinning smoothly. A Vintage Air control panel matches the original brushed aluminum design, and a Retro Sound radio provides modern tunes for the ride.

The car was finally finished and returned to the owner, who was thrilled with the results. The car is now in better-than-new condition, and the owner is excited to make new memories with it.

What Can We Restore For You?

The V8 Speed and Resto Shop team stands ready to turn the clock back on whatever you drive, restoring it authentically or adding modern performance and convenience features as you wish. Contact the shop today to learn more.