This sweet 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, bathed in tasty custom-mixed “Tropical Frees Blue”, just left the V8 Speed & Resto Shop… and we’ve got the full video coming soon!
Get ready for an in-depth look at this stunning restoration, from the classic muscle car lines to the impeccable, flawless finish. It’s a build that demands attention and a video you won’t want to skip.
Don’t miss the complete feature video—subscribe now so you’re the first to see it when it drops!
How Did These 6 Top Muscle Cars Get Their Names? | Muscle Car Of The Week
Muscle Cars are all about power, performance, and style, but you can’t overlook their stories. In this episode of Muscle Car Of The Week, we dive into the fascinating origins behind six legendary muscle car names: the *Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Pontiac GTO, Oldsmobile 442, Buick Gran Sport/GSX, Plymouth GTX, and Ford Mustang!* From clever marketing moves to nods to racing heritage, discover how these iconic names became synonymous with power, freedom, and rebellion. Join us as we seek to uncover the stories that made these cars legends!
🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell for more muscle car history and reviews!
The Legendary Comp Cams Camaro: A 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Reborn
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is a timeless icon, celebrated for its versatility and enduring appeal. Whether built stock, as a race car, pro-touring machine, or full custom, a ’69 Camaro always turns heads. At V8 Speed and Resto Shop, one particular ’69 Camaro convertible, known as the Comp Cams Camaro, holds a special place due to its rich history and remarkable revival.
A Storied Past
The Comp Cams Camaro traces its roots to the 1970s and 1980s when Scooter Brothers, founder of Comp Cams, campaigned a white ’69 Camaro convertible in NHRA drag racing. That original car was sold, but years later, Brothers sought to recreate it. The result was a white Camaro with black stripes, powered by a NASCAR-spec SB2 small-block V8. This car became a legend, featured in Hot Rod magazine, showcased on the Hot Rod Power Tour, and displayed at countless events.
One memorable tale from its travels involves the Camaro nearly escaping its trailer during a Power Tour stop, fish-tailing down the road while hanging by its header flanges. Though it was saved, years of heavy use at public events took a toll, leaving the car worn out.
A Second Life
To celebrate Comp Cams’ 40th anniversary, V8 Speed and Resto Shop was tasked with restoring this iconic car. Known for building high-performance ’69 Camaro convertibles, including one for Royal Purple Synthetic Oil, our team was ready to bring the Comp Cams Camaro back to life. Comp Cams, a leader in valve train technology with brands like RHS, FAST, and TCI, wanted the car to showcase their cutting-edge products while remaining instantly recognizable.
The Build
The restoration began with a plan to preserve the car’s identity while enhancing its performance and appearance. The car, a real RS Camaro with hideaway headlights and low-mounted reverse lights, was originally Daytona Yellow but had been painted white. We retained the white base with black stripes, adding a red pinstripe matching the Comp Cams logo’s Pantone color for a subtle branding touch.
The body required minor repairs—rust patches in the floors, trunk, and quarter panels were addressed with precision to preserve the original shell. Suspension upgrades included a Heidts front subframe, tubular control arms, Wilwood brakes, CCW wheels, and a Ford 9-inch rear axle with Heidts four-link brackets for superior handling.
Under the hood, Butler Performance built a 454-cubic-inch LS engine using an RHS aluminum block, RHS cylinder heads, an LSXR intake manifold, and Comp Cams valvetrain components. A FAST XFI EFI system and EASY LS/TCU controllers manage the engine and TCI 6X six-speed automatic transmission, delivering 690 horsepower naturally aspirated, with a ZEX nitrous kit for extra punch. A custom aluminum air filter box, designed to fit the tight engine bay, ensures fresh air intake while adding a sleek look.
The interior blends classic and modern with houndstooth bucket seats, Dakota Digital gauges, a TCI shifter, and a Vintage Air Gen 4 AC system with electronic controls for a factory-like appearance. A reduced-diameter billet steering wheel and hand-bent stainless exhaust complete the package, giving the car a commanding presence.
The Result
The reborn Comp Cams Camaro is a masterpiece of performance and style, built to be driven hard and enjoyed for years. Delivered to Comp Cams, it made a flawless 4.5-hour drive to Memphis, and since then, it has racked up nearly 7,000 miles. The car has starred at SEMA, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (scoring 997/1,000 points), the Rev’n Rods Tour, the Car Craft Pro Builder Shootout, and the Good Guys Top 50 ’69 Camaros display.
The COMP Camaro as part of the 2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals / V8 Speed and Resto Shop 20th Anniversary Display
A Legacy That Endures
The Comp Cams Camaro is more than a car—it’s a testament to passion, craftsmanship, and performance. Its journey from drag strip warrior to restored icon showcases the dedication of both Comp Cams and V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Check out the full build at v8speedshop.com or spot it at an event like the Hot Rod Power Tour. If you’re dreaming of reviving your own classic, we’d love to bring it to life!
Watch The Build Video!
Speaking Of Camaro Videos… Here’s A Few More Built at V8 Speed and Resto:
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
Jason “Sarge” Beebe joined V8 Speed and Resto Shop as a shop assistant, starting with humble tasks like sweeping floors and organizing parts. We first met Sarge at a Scott Air Force Base job fair for recent U.S. Air Force retirees, unaware of the depth of his experience as a C-130 Loadmaster or his lifelong passion for restoring Muscle Cars, a craft he honed alongside his father and brother—both Air Force veterans.
Sarge’s organizational prowess transformed our “Lumber Yard” parts warehouse, streamlining operations across our six-building campus. His leadership and knack for bringing out the best in people helped develop our Parts On Demand system, boosting efficiency and reducing time spent locating parts. Beyond his technical skills, Sarge’s warmth and dedication left a lasting mark on our team.
Growing up, Sarge was immersed in the world of Muscle Cars, learning from his father, a talented restorer who built an array of iconic vehicles. Sarge fondly recalls assembling a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS model as a child, a dream that became reality when he and his family restored a real Chevelle when he was just 14. His Dad’s 1973 Camaro Z/28 lives on as well, now owned by his Uncle.
After a distinguished Air Force career that took him around the globe, Sarge brought his discipline, passion, and love for cool cars to V8 Speed and Resto Shop. As he steps into retirement, we celebrate his contributions and wish him endless joy with his family and his beloved Chevelle.
Thank you, Sarge, for setting our parts team and facility up for lasting success. Here’s to your next adventure!
Does a high-quality restoration stand up over time?
The V8 Speed and Resto Shop crew performed a complete restoration on this sweet 1969 Chevelle SS. The V8 Speed & Resto Shop team stripped the body, replaced the floors and trunk floor, assembled the body on the restored chassis, and performed bodywork and paint on this award-winning 1969 Chevelle. It’s powered by a big block Chevy V8 and a 5-speed Tremec transmission. The work was done back in 2014, so we thought it would be cool to revisit the car and see how a high-quality complete restoration looks over ten years later.
Fortunately, this 1969 Chevelle street machine still looks fresh today, and the owner takes great care of the car and drives and shows it when he can. Over the years, the car has only required a few maintenance items, but has also received several upgrades like a second set of wheels, Wilwood brakes, and a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission conversion. You can see those upgrades and the original restoration video in the links below.
If you’re looking for a restoration or a restomod Muscle Car, a stock or updated Classic, or even a full custom or hot rod, we’re always happy to chat about making your dream ride come true at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop!
Other Chapters of This 1969 Chevelle Video Series:
Performance Racing Industry (PRI) President Mike Good joins Kevin Oeste, Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke, and Brian Wibbenmeyer in this on-location episode of the V8 Radio Podcast! Although not new to the industry, 2024 marked Mike Good’s first PRI Show as President, and the racing business trade show was a huge success. Hear a bit about what makes Good tick, automotive trivia, and the usual V8 Radio Banter on this episode! Recorded at the 2024 PRI Show Podcast Paddock. #prishow #v8radio #podcast #v8radiopodcast #carpodcast
Take a Private Tour of the 2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals!
Take a V8TV walking tour of the 2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals! This long-form video starts with the 60th Anniversary GTO display and wanders throughout the entire show, narrated by Kevin Oeste and shot after hours.
V8 Speed and Resto Shop Full Shop Tour Walk Through Video
Join us on a full-length tour of the V8 Speed and Resto Shop! You’ll see in-depth features of some of great completed restomod and pro-touring cars as we prepare them for the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, and works in progress in our mechanical department, metal fabrication shop, body shop, paint center, upholstery shop, engine machine shop, and more.
We’re fortunate for the opportunity to build such cool cars for great enthusiast customers around the world. If you have a classic car with its own story, we’d love to help bring it back to life, preserving what makes it special while restoring it to its full potential.
V8 Speed and Resto Shop 817 S. Main Street Red Bud, IL 62278 314783.8325 https://www.v8speedshop.com resto@v8speedshop.com
