Recent Classic Car Restorations by Artie’s Restorations

See the Craftsmanship That Sets Us Apart

At Artie’s Restorations, every vehicle we restore tells a story — and every client walks away with more than just a finished car. They leave with a piece of history rebuilt to perfection. This page highlights just a few of the recent restoration projects completed at our Elgin, IL facility. From bare-metal rebuilds to high-performance custom hot rods, our work speaks for itself.

We proudly showcase real restorations done by our in-house team. No stock images, no borrowed builds — just authentic results built with integrity and precision.

See the Craftsmanship That Sets Us Apart

Whether it’s a factory-correct frame-off restoration or a one-of-a-kind custom build, our projects are held to the same standards:

• Full disassembly and frame inspection
• Rust removal and steel replacement
• Panel alignment and metal finishing
• Paint application in our sealed down-draft booth
• Drivetrain rebuilds or upgrades
• Electrical, interior, and trim restoration
• Thorough quality checks and documentation

Each restoration is tailored to the car’s history, the client’s goals, and the vehicle’s long-term reliability.

Featured Projects

1969 Pontiac GTO – Full Frame-Off Restoration

This GTO arrived with extensive rust, failing suspension, and a mismatched drivetrain. We stripped the car to bare metal, rebuilt the frame, sourced OEM-correct parts, and repainted it in its original Matador Red. The final product included:

• Numbers-matching 400ci V8 rebuild
  
• Factory interior restoration with new dash components
  
• Period-correct Rally II wheels and trim
  
• Seamless paint application and wet sand finish

Client Goal: Return to original condition with improved reliability for weekend drives.

1934 Ford Coupe – Traditional Hot Rod Build

An iconic body style with modern performance. This build included:

• Custom-built frame and coilover suspension
• 350 small-block crate engine with custom exhaust
• Hand-fabricated firewall and smoothed engine bay
• Candy Apple Red paint with satin black accents
• Full leather interior with custom console

Client Goal: Vintage hot rod styling with reliable road performance.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS – Pro-Touring Conversion

A well-worn Chevelle transformed into a performance machine with modern comfort:

• LS3 engine swap with Tremec 6-speed
• Four-wheel disc brakes and coilover suspension
• Smoothed and tucked bumpers for clean body lines
• Custom dash with integrated digital gauges
• Graphite metallic paint with black rally stripes

Client Goal: Build a daily-drivable muscle car that could still win trophies.

1956 Ford F-100 – Restoration with Upgrades

Originally a farm truck, this F-100 was completely restored:

• Frame-off rebuild and chassis upgrades
• Vintage Air A/C system and power steering
• Original steel body panels refinished in two-tone
• Wood bed restoration with stainless strips
• Classic meets modern utility

Client Goal: Retain heritage while adding comfort and drivability.

Our Documentation Process

We document every major restoration stage to ensure transparency and value:

• Before & after photos
  
• Panel alignment & paint prep documentation
  
• Drivetrain and suspension install images
  
• Interior and trim fitting shots
  
• Final inspection reports and video clips (if requested)

This documentation is available to clients upon delivery and adds resale value for collectors and enthusiasts.

Restoration Types We Showcase

The vehicles you see here span a range of restoration types:

• Concours-quality frame-off builds
  
• Custom hot rods and restomods
  
• Factory-spec classic restorations
  
• Daily driver upgrades with modern components
  
• Barn finds brought back to life



Whatever the level, the quality remains consistent: clean lines, straight panels, durable finishes, and safe, road-ready performance.