INTRODUCTION: Here is an incredible opportunity! Performance
Restorations was one of the premier muscle car restoration shops,
and this is the owner's personal car, built for himself! It's been
a magazine car and a show car, yet it's equally capable of going to
the track or cruising all day long and doing any of it
exceptionally well. Now retired, he has closed the shop but
continues to personally maintain this car to this day. It's dialed
in and ready to enjoy. A build of this caliber from a top level
shop would cost several times our asking price to duplicate
today.
EXTERIOR: He wanted to start with the right car, so he flew to
California where he found exactly what he was looking for- a dry,
absolutely rust free example with pristine original metal. The body
is laser straight, the panels fit precisely, and even 20 years
after the restoration the paint still shows beautifully with no
bubbling or rust issues. It was refinished in the stunning
one-year-only Evening Orchid, tweaked with a touch of pearl along
with the painted white stripes. A cowl hood adds some attitude. At
the time of restoration, the chrome and trim were replaced along
with the weatherstrips. The white power convertible top was
restored including the frame work. Polished wheels wrapped in
performance tires give it just the right stance.
INTERIOR: A premium stereo system was just installed and it has it
all: a RetroSound head unit that fits neatly in the factory dash,
Bluetooth, hands-free capability, amplifier, subwoofer and upgraded
speakers. The optional padded dash and instrument panel are
restored, featuring a fresh set of white face gauges. A deluxe
steering wheel sits on a tilt column. It's upgraded with higher
back 1969 bucket seats with headrests. The upholstery, door panels
and carpet were replaced during the restoration, and a full set of
seat belts was installed. The center console features the classic
horseshoe shifter along with an overdrive indicator.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: The motor was built with the best of
everything, right down to the smallest clip and fitting. Every
component was handpicked and well thought out. It starts with a
Merlin tall deck 540 big block packed with forged internals and a
roller valvetrain designed to make its power at low RPMs. This is a
torque monster producing 700 horsepower, fed by a 1,000 CFM
carburetor on a polished Air-Gap intake, and believe it or not,
it's all set up to run on pump gas! A chrome dual snorkel air
cleaner is fed through the functional cowl induction hood. It's
dressed to impress with highly polished finned valve covers
featuring Evening Orchid details, a polished water pump, alternator
and bracket, plus chrome hinges, heater box and coil. Premium fuel
fittings, a regulator, true braided stainless hoses, chrome catch
cans and nice plug wire holders show the attention to detail. The
inner fenders have been filled and smoothed for an exceptionally
clean presentation. It runs cool with a big aluminum radiator and
dual electric fans, while power steering with a remote billet
reservoir, a Wilwood master cylinder and coated headers round out
this impressive engine compartment.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT: Under the trunk lid and the jamb are painted
just as beautifully as the exterior. Inside, the trunk is
completely boxed and finished in white upholstery with neatly
fitted carpet on the floor. The battery is hidden behind the rear
panel and includes a convenient built in battery tender plug and
master disconnect switch.
UNDERSIDE: It isn't just rebuilt, it's been thoroughly engineered
by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. Up front features
a large chrome sway bar, custom steering components, heavy duty
tubular control arms, and adjustable coilover shocks. The boxed
frame has been reinforced with additional tubular bracing for
increased rigidity, resulting in significantly improved handling
and cornering. Out back is a performance four link suspension with
solid control arms, added supports, adjustable gas shocks, lowering
springs, and a matching chrome sway bar. The floors are original
rust free California metal coated in durable chip guard paint.
Stopping power comes from a Wilwood four wheel disc brake system
with drilled and slotted rotors and polished calipers. The fuel
system has been replaced, and a custom dual exhaust with Flowmaster
mufflers and Super Sport cowbell tips provides an aggressive sound.
Looking up at the engine, you'll find an extra capacity oil pan and
a polished high torque starter. The 700R4 overdrive automatic was
recently built by the experts at DRC Trans and is rated to handle
up to 1,000 horsepower. A custom driveshaft connects to a 12-bolt
rear end equipped with 3.73 posi gears and a polished girdle
cover.
SERVICE: We take pride in our cars and our reputation. Every
vehicle goes through our service department where it is inspected,
test driven, and we address the essentials before offering it for
sale.
CONCLUSION: You can buy this car with confidence, but I don't think
you'll fully appreciate what I'm telling you until you own it,
drive it and admire all the details for yourself. This is a rare
opportunity to own the personal car of one of the premier muscle
car restorers that was built to his standards, for himself.
For over 30 years, I, Jay Grams, have written the highlights for
nearly every car in our collection, based on decades of hands-on
experience.
If you're seriously considering this car, the best next step is to
call us. We'll give you straight answers and help you decide if
it's the right fit.
If you don't want to risk missing it, you can secure it on our
website with a $1,000 refundable deposit. That holds the car while
you complete your due diligence.
We encourage a personal inspection, and our team is happy to assist
you every step of the way.
Our vehicles are displayed within our museum setting. To view a
specific car, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a
salesperson. Guests without an appointment may tour the showroom
with paid admission. If you purchase a vehicle, your admission will
be refunded and you'll receive a one-year museum membership.
815-385-3644 (9-5 Central)
[email protected] - Prompt responses
4 wheel disc brakes
Power steering
3.73 posi
Bucket seats
Console
Deluxe wheel
Tilt column
Padded dash
Stereo system
Custom gauges
Cowl hood
Stripes
