Looks aren’t everything! Just because a vehicle has great body work and a gleaming paint job, it doesn’t mean that it runs and performs at its optimum level. If your custom ride is in need of mechanical upgrades, the team at KTL Restorations will ensure that the same level of care and attention to detail is provided to those components. Our goal is to make sure your dream vehicle runs just as good as it looks!
Our Work
Completed Builds
Mr. Shelton’s 1978 Ford F-100
George’s 1932 Ford Coupe
Josh’s 1997 Ford OBS
Kyle’s Foxbody Ford Mustang
Ernie’s 1969 Mercury Cougar
Mark’s 1965 Ford Mustang
Wes’s 1967 Mercury Cougar
Joe’s 1969 Mercury Cougar
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Ricky’s 1967 Shelby GT500
Rob’s 1964 Ford Falcon
Bruce’s 1970 Mercury Cougar 428 CJ
1968 Mercury Cougar XR7
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Marc’s 1969 Dodge Dart
1958 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
Mr. Shelton’s 1978 Ford F-100
If you are an enthusiast of classic cars, then you know pickups from the 1960’s & 1970’s have seen their popularity explode in recent years. When Ford introduced the F-100 pickup for the 1978 model year, they quickly gained a reputation for their reliability, utility, and affordability. While they may not be as sought after as some of Ford’s earlier F-series pickups, they are gaining popularity in the collector car world.
When Mr. Shelton brought us his beloved pickup, it was already a beautiful representation of what Ford produced in the late ’70’s. The project list was short – the doors needed some adjusting, and we needed to replace the steering box and valve cover gaskets.
Although our time with Mr. Shelton’s F-100 was short, it got the full KTL treatment in terms of love and care that all of our customers dream rides receive. This particular trucks working days are over, and it is now destined for a life of enjoyment by Mr. Shelton.
George’s 1932 Ford Coupe
The Project
Ford made a splash in 1932 when the famous flat-head V-8 engine was introduced in their vehicles. The presence of the V-8, which was known for power and speed at the time, along with it’s stylish and lightweight design of the vehicle’s body, has made it a staple in the hot rodding and customizing world for decades. George’s ’32 Deuce is one that has gone through several modifications and was brought to us needing just a few things improved. When it was brought to KTL, it was in need of some electrical repairs and also needed a new latch installed on the hood. We took care of those repairs, while upgrading the suspension. This classic piece of Americana will continue to bring enjoyment to George for years to come!
Josh’s 1997 Ford OBS
The Project
The phrase “OBS” refers to “Old Body Style” and refers to Ford pickups manufactured prior to the 2000 model year. Mr. Boytec’s 1997 Ford pickup was produced towards the latter part of that run, but we all know, trucks are built to last! This truck is no exception and came to us with more mechanical needs than cosmetic ones. The KTL team replaced the shocks and stabilizer bar, the upper and lower ball joints, put in a new steering box, added new tie rod ends while also repairing the fuel line, installing new U-joints, and replaced the battery terminals. In addition to that, both the front and rear lighting was upgraded and changed to LED lights from CP Addict, installed new weather stripping and window seals, added new vent window lock knobs, realigned the doors while installing new door hinges, cleaned the gauges and replaced the cluster lens, and added new side badging to the exterior. To finish things off, new Toyo tires were installed complete with a new set of 17″ wheels. This may be considered an OBS in the truck world, but it rides and performs as well as the trucks produced today!
Ernie’s 1969 Mercury Cougar
Ernie’s 1969 Mercury Cougar
The Project
This is another example where cars come to us needing more mechanical work than cosmetic work. Most of the exterior work had already been completed, but there were a number of other improvements underneath that required our attention. The KTL team upgraded the front sway bar, fitted new inline cooling lines, repaired the brake lines, replaced the master cylinder, fixed the suspension rod, added new power steering, and also updated the lighting with new lights from Octane. We also replaced the transmission with a new one from Bowler Transmission. A few interior modifications were made as we upgraded to a new dashboard from Dakota Digital and added new vents from Vintage Air.
Mark’s 1965 Ford Mustang
Mark’s 1965 Ford Mustang
The Project
Often when owners of classic/collector cars begin the process of either restoring or customizing those vehicles, those projects go through multiple stages. Mark’s 1965 Mustang is no different. When he brought his instantly recognizable car to us, he had a long list of things to tackle, many of which aren’t visible unless you know what to look for. We started with replacing the fuel lines, redoing the brakes, installing a new Bowler transmission and custom drive shaft, adding new headlights from Octane Lighting, and completely rebuilding the car’s rear end using products from Quick Performance, and upating the wiring. We then turned to the interior upgrades which included installing a new instrument panel complete with Dakota Digial Gauges, adding a new center console, applying a new glove box liner, and finally installing all new carpet from Atech. While this particular project did not include any body or paint work, we never let a vehicle out of our shop without a complete detail job utilizing a host of products from Griot’s Garage.
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Mr. McAvoy’s 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Project
When the muscle car era was in its heyday back in the late 1960’s, Oldsmobile provided drivers with a perfect combination of luxury and power. Mr. McAvoy’s 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible is a prime example of that. This piece of classic American Muscle needed just a few things to bring it over the top. The KTL Restorations team installed a new set of Wilwood brakes, complete with all new brake lines. Our team restored the carburetor and installed a new custom exhaust system, while also installing several lighting upgrades from Octane Lighting, and installed a new custom Dakota Digital Dash. Once that work was done our team did a complete detail job and installed a brand new convertible top from Kee Top. Now this beauty provides all the creature comforts a driver could want but has the power to that these classic coke body vehicles from GM are known for!
Our Partners
A special thank you to all the partners that contributed to this project!
1968 Mercury Cougar XR7
1968 Mercury Cougar XR7
The Project
The KTL team is honored to be trusted with the task of fulfilling the aspirations of our customers to own and be able to drive their dream car. Often these projects require a great deal of customization and modification, however as in the case of Mr. Blankenship, some times it is to restore a vehicle back to showroom condition.
Upon first glance at this classic Mercury, it looks like it’s right out of the showroom, and while much of our work was aimed at restoring that showroom look and feel, there are some modern touches sprinkled in to make it a more enjoyable and functional driving experience today. Our team upgraded the stero system and lighting while performing a number of updates and improvements. These included rebuilding the suspension system, replacing the tires, flushing the radiator, installing new brake booster and fresh set of brake hoses, rebuilding the carburetor, and conducting several maintenance items. As with every vehicle that comes into the KTL shop, it didn’t leave without a meticulous detail job. The end result is a time capsule that takes you back to the late ’60’s!
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
The Project
Chevrolet turned heads with the introduction of the Camaro in 1967 and to this day is considered a favorite among car enthusiasts throughout the world. So imagine the excitement amongst our team when Mr. Barbour brought us his prized ’67 Camaro to us for some extra love! This car was already in great condition when it was delivered to us, and we went through it and replaced the control arm bushings and tie rod ends, installed a new choke cable, and repaired the transmission linkage. Along with that our team installed a new Vintage Air a/c system to keep him cool on those hot summer days, and replaced the seatbelts. The exterior was in great shape, but there were a few repairs that needed to be made to the body, which we took care of and finished everything off with a complete detailing service using products from Griot’s Garage. Now this first generation Camaro drives and performs as good as she looks!
Marc’s 1969 Dodge Dart
Mr. Burgess’s 1969 Dodge Dart
The Project
When Dodge first introduced the Dart in 1960, it was a full-size family vehicle, but over the years it evolved into the popular low-priced compact model that was produced from 1967 – 1976. Dodge began fitting the Dart with larger engines in 1968 making them sleepers on the street. Mr. Burgess’s 1969 Dart certainly cannot be mistaken for the lightly powered Dart that was standard in the ’60’s. This particular vehicle came to us with several upgrades and enhancements already made, including a larger, more powerful engine and gleaming red paint. The KTL Restorations team installed a new suspension system from Reilly Motor Sports, added mini tubes from AMD, converted the brakes to a four-wheel disc brake system from Wilwood,added a new set of wheels from Schott, and finally, upgraded the lights with KC HiLites 7″ Gravity LED headlights. This Dart is a sleeper no more!
Our Partners
A special thank you to all the partners that contributed to this project!
1958 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
1958 Cadillac Coupe Deville
The Project
This Caddy looked the part when it was brought in to KTL Restorations, with gleaming red paint. It had “the show” and just needed some of the”go” parts. Our team quickly went to work, giving this beauty a new heartbeat by installing a new Chevrolet LS3 Crate motor with a Holley Performance Electornic Fuel Injection system, paired with a new Bowler Transmission. A new RideTech Air Ride Suspension System was installed so that passengers experience a smooth ride as they cruise down the road, but with the added bonus of being able to drop it down providing a killer stance. Our team also added a custom Dakota Digital Dash, retaining the classic look of the original instrument cluster, but with all the modern information modern vehicles need. The paint job was already in great shape, and after a detailing job using a variety of products from Griots Garage, it’s as slick as glass and looks brand new! The end result – a stunning show car that is already an award winner! It won the Best LS Classic award at the 2024 Good Guys North Carolina Nationals show, held in Raleigh, NC.
Awards
Best LS Classic – 2024 Good Guys North Carolina Nationals, April 19-21, 2024, Raleigh, NC
Our Partners
A special thank you to all the partners that contributed to this project!
Builds In Progress
Mr. Murphy’s 1937 Ford Slantback
Mr. Wood’s 1981 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup
Mr. Murphy’s 1937 Ford Slantback
Mr. Murphy’s 1937 Ford Slantback
The Project
In 1937 Ford was at the top of their game with the sleek and very appealing design of their vehicles. They featured a more streamlined and rounded look with the introduction of horizontal bars in the front and side grilles, along with faired-in headlights in the front fenders. This gave the ’37 models a modern look that consumers loved. Fast forward 85+ years later and the 1937 design is still revered among auto enthusiasts. That’s why we were so excited when Mr. Murphy selected us to help bring the restoration project of his 1937 Slantback home!
We are doing upgrades that will largely be unseen, but will make a significant difference in how this pre-war classic drives and performs. Our team is upgrading the front and rear suspension and repairing the exhaust. On the interior we are completely re-wiring the vehicle so the more modern components that have been installed function properly. When KTL is through, she’ll run as smooth as she looks!
Mr. Wood’s 1981 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup
Mr. Wood’s 1981 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup
The Project
The KTL team took delivery of this classic square-body Chevy pickup over the summer for a lot of enhancements and upgrades that will be nearly invisible to see, but the impact they will make on this truck will certainly be felt. We will be working on some repairs to the engine as well as addressing some issues with leaks from both the radiator and A/C unit. Our team will also be doing a complete inspection of the braking and suspension systems and will make recommendations as to what repairs/improvements will be needed there. We will be taking care of some upgrades on the interior as we upgrade the audio system with new equipment from RCC Innovations. We will also addressing cosmetic issues such as rust on the firewall, refitting moldings on the truck body, tightening the grill and replacing the lighting with new LED lights. The work is just getting started, but the final result will bring this truck, which already looks great – over the top!