Maintaining Muscle – A Guide to Restoration and Upgrade Parts for Muscle Cars
A quick online query resulted in a pretty solid definition of a muscle car. The AI assistant we used described it as “an affordable, mid-size, American-made, two-door coupe, popular in the 1960s and ’70s with a powerful V8 engine, prioritizing raw power over handling, built for high-performance straight-line acceleration. Key features include rear-wheel drive, a boxy design with large hoods, and a focus on drag racing performance.”
Overall, that’s a pretty fair assessment, though we might add sedans into the equation (even those rare sleeper four-doors that were properly optioned) and of course include the muscle car resurgence of the mid-’80s with the Buick T-Types, IROC Camaros, and 5.0-liter Fox-body Mustangs.
Muscle cars are a huge part of the hot rod world, and we continue to see restored cars with their big engines and minimal factory options just like they rolled off the assembly line. If restorations aren’t your thing, there are loads of modified muscle cars ranging from mildly updated examples sporting a few bolt-on parts to full-on restomod machines with late-model engines, big brakes and wheels, and well-appointed interiors. All of these machines help to carry on the rich heritage of the muscle car era.
The aftermarket has strongly supported the muscle car market since the earliest days of the breed, and manufacturers continue to support and expand their offerings with components to help rebuild, restore, and renew our favorite vintage muscle cars, many times with improved safety or performance in mind, yet with the goal of retaining the stock appearance and aura of the original muscle car. We’ve compiled some of the latest offerings here to help you think about which fresh parts or updates might make your muscle car better for this year’s cruising season.
Classic Fuel Delivery
The Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor was used on a lot different muscle cars in the late-’60s and early-’70s, even continuing to the mid-’80s. JET Performance Products has been rebuilding and tweaking Q-Jets for years and recently recognized the need for fresh, new housings. That’s right, we’re talking brand new Q-Jets!
Each carb body is manufactured from completely new tooling for a precise, all-new classic Quadrajet. Jet offers the carb for a variety of applications and even makes some small circuit modifications for optimum performance from idle to wide-open. If you still have and prefer your numbers-matching carb, Jet offers intricate restoration services as well.
A New Look Back
It’s all about the details when restoring a muscle car, which is something Original Parts Group Inc. (OPGI) strives to offer. Take this door mirror for 1969-72 GM A-bodies for example. The mirror features the correct factory-style design, a perfect chrome finish, and installs to the original mounting points with the correct molded plastic gasket, bracket, and hardware.
OPGI made sure that its mirror is an identical recreation to the factory bases – note the top of the base with the correct factory “bump” or rib line. The company also beefed-up the case-hardened die-cast zinc end ball to protect against mirror droop. This is an officially licensed GM Restoration Part.
Third Gen Tanks
The third-generation Camaros and Firebirds are finally getting the respect they deserve from both enthusiasts and the aftermarket. For anyone working on the restoration of a 1982-92 IROC, Z28, or T/A, Tanks, Inc. has you covered with new reproduction fuel tanks.
These tanks are formed from heavy duty steel then powder coated with a better-than-OEM silver finish. The fuel pump and sending units mount in a recessed area providing adequate clearance for fuel line connections and installation is further simplified with a two-piece filler neck design. Each tank features internal baffling required to support high performance engines along with in-tank fuel pump options.
Mopar Resto Parts
Chances are, when you think of Summit Racing, you think of performance and racing parts, but did you know they also carry an extensive line of restoration parts for popular ’60s and ’70s muscle cars? And not just GM and Ford cars, they also have classic Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler passenger cars covered!
Hundreds of parts are available to help with your restoration, plus a full line of stencil and stripe kits. The adhesive decals or stencils will help you reproduce the factory correct stripes or graphic layout to guide or complement your paint job. Each kit uses the actual dimensions from the original vehicle specs.
Big Torque, Stock Looks
When it comes to cranking over your vintage engine, a gear reduction starter is the way to go, but not only do they look different, they sound different! If you’re looking for OEM appearance but want a little more torque and power, check out Powermaster’s line of Original Look Starters.
Powermaster offers its Original Look Starters for most classic GM, Ford, Mopar, and even AMC/Jeep muscle car engines. From the outside you get a nicely finished black housing and new, clean, and strong castings, but inside they pack in a larger armature, bigger field coil, and a stronger drive assembly that will easily fire up big-inch, high-compression engines.
OE Appearance, Modern Sounds
While Custom Autosound Manufacturing may focus on making its radios look like old units, the technology behind the dash is always evolving. The company’s popular USA-630 has been redesigned with modern features along with quality elements such as 300 watts of power, a CD controller function, and USB port flash-drive compatibility with phone charging.
The USA-630 now features a front/rear RCA pre-out to improve the signal to external amplifiers and a DSP equalizer with five preset options. A Radio Data System displays call letters, song titles, artist, or other broadcast info and to customize the appearance there are seven selectable LCD display colors. Note the band buttons are now a Mute and Seek button.
Quick Ratio Steering for GM Muscle
The power steering on GM muscle cars, while delivering one-finger turning capabilities, can also come across as a bit lacking by today’s standards. To remedy this issue, Borgeson Universal offers an all-new quick ratio power steering box to replace the original Saginaw/Delphi 800 series found in many classic GM models.
While not a perfect visual match to the old Saginaw boxes, Borgeson’s Street & Performance power steering unit bolts directly to the stock location and accepts the original power steering pitman arm and hose fittings. Most importantly, the unit offers a quicker 12.7:1 ratio to deliver a firm, modern steering feel.
Larger Wide Ovals
When it comes to restored muscle cars, having the original style tires is a key to achieving the correct appearance, but this can limit you to specific tire sizes and generally means a bias ply tire. Coker Tire understands the compromise that original-spec tires cause, which is why they developed a radial constructed Firestone Wide Oval tire.
The Wide Oval is an iconic tire and Coker Tire has reproduced it in original sizes for many years. Not only are they now available as smooth-riding radials, but the company also offer them in several larger sizes like GR60-15, LR60-15, and NR50-15. These new sizes let you put more rubber on the road yet still provide the perfect muscle car look.
Connecting Front to Rear
Muscle cars were made with big power, which was well tolerated on full frame cars, but could often cause twisting and poor handling on cars with unibody construction. One solution for those unibody cars is to install a set of frame connectors – and Ridetech offers a number of different bolt-in systems.
Ridetech’s subframe connectors for 1968-74 GM X-body vehicles (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Apollo) add rigidity, reduce flex, and are easily bolted in so no mods are required to your muscle machine. Fabricated from 1.5x3x.125-inch steel, the connectors easily replace the original leaf spring pocket and simply install to the front subframe bolts. Easy to install and easy to remove if desired!
Lithium Power – OEM Looks
Modern technology can be a wonderful thing when combined with classic muscle car style. Original-looking modern batteries have been available for years, even in AGM designs which deliver great cranking power, but with significant weight. TurboStart Batteries recently introduced its Lithium Collector Series which is perfect for restored muscle cars.
Many will recognize the company’s popular SR59, designed for late-’60s to early-’70s GM vehicles, and the new lithium battery looks just like it, but with increased power and substantial weight savings – about 12 pounds compared to 30! The new LT series also offers a longer lifespan, recharges faster, has a longer warranty. Batteries are also available for Ford and Mopar applications.
Ready to Install and Control
There is absolutely no joy in the rebuilding process of your muscle car’s A-arms. Chances are they need to be media blasted, and then the task of pressing out, then pressing in the bushings and drilling out the ball joint. There must be an easier way! There is – just dial up CPP!
CPP’s stamped steel control arms are engineered to deliver reliable strength and proper geometry while retaining a clean, factory-style appearance. Manufactured from high-strength steel, these control arms are designed for dependable street performance, smooth ride quality, and long-term durability. They are a direct-fit solution for many muscle car applications, making them an ideal choice for restorations.
Classic Performance Products (CPP)
BOP Rear Brakes
Muscle cars were all about torque and power, squealing tires, and quick acceleration. Brakes, however, were often merely an afterthought! Later in the ’60s, disc brakes were available as an option on the front (and rear in some cases), but drums were still the standard setup on the rear axle.
For Buick, Olds, and Pontiac fans, Wilwood offers a rear disc brake upgrade that will accept many 14-inch and most 15-inch wheels. The kit is based on the company’s proven forged billet Dynapro Low-Profile four-piston calipers and 11-inch rotors. The kit is designed to bolt onto the BOP axles equipped with a 2.75-inch retainer bearing and features an internal parking brake for safety.
A Pillar of Strength
Damaged or rotted A-pillars have surprised restoration and custom shops for years. It wasn’t long ago that you would have to find a solid donor car for repair parts, but today Auto Metal Direct is making it easier to replace damaged A-pillars with brand new replacements!
The A-pillar is a critical component when it comes to body rigidity, windshield fitment, hinge mounts, and panel alignment, so a replacement part has to fit spot-on. AMD now offers A-Pillar Panels, Inner Panels, Upper and Lower Sections, Hinge Pillar Panels, Reinforcement Brackets, and Inner Structural Supports for the 1968-70 Dodge and Plymouth B-body models. Each panel is engineered to match factory contours and mounting locations.
Disc Assist
If you’ve converted to disc brakes on your 1967-70 Mustang, the job isn’t complete until you’ve upgraded to a new vacuum booster and master cylinder. Whether you’re running a front disc/rear drum application or stepped up to discs all around, having the right booster and master cylinder is imperative to brake system’s operation.
Speedway’s system is ready to bolt in. A custom plate adapts the 9-inch booster to the stock firewall, and they even include a new power brake pedal and pad are with the kit. The master cylinder even has the OEM casting number (2227161) with teardrop markings. A bottom-mount proportioning valve and lines are also supplied.
Golden GTO Hood
When it comes to muscle car hoods, the 1965-67 Pontiac GTO is one of the most recognizable. But when it comes to finding a rust-free and straight example for your restoration, good luck. Today, thankfully, you can get a brand-new GTO hood from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts.
Golden Star, based in Lewisville, Texas, has been producing reproduction body panels for years with a focus on meeting and exceeding OEM quality and fitment. The GTO hood, also offered for the 1968-70 models, has the same internal structure and design as the original for an authentic look and fit. Golden Star also offers new hinges to finish the install properly.
Retro Headlights
Muscle cars look good with their sealed beam headlights, but when you’re driving home later at night you’ll likely be wishing for a modern set of LEDs. Holley’s new RetroBright LED headlights look more original but produce nearly three times more light output while using less current, and they last up to six times longer over traditional lights.
The RetroBright Headlights feature a low-profile design for easy installation and plug into your existing connectors. Holley has offerings for most classic muscle cars including the popular round 5.75- and 7-inch diameters, and both 4×6- and 5×7-inch rectangle in classic white, modern white and even a Euro yellow shade.
Braided Brake Hose
Flexible brake hoses should be on your short list of parts to replace on your muscle car. They live in an unforgiving environment where failure is not an option and will expand over time, resulting in a spongy pedal effort. If you’re not going for a 100-percent accurate restoration, check out the StopFlex Stainless Brake Hoses from Classic Tube.
The StopFlex lines consist of woven stainless braid over rubber hose and wrapped in rubber hose creating an extremely strong, durable hose. Each assembly is built as a direct replacement using CAD technology to ensure design integrity and a perfect fit to your muscle car.
Interior Consoles
Consoles between a pair of bucket seats of any muscle car just look right. That is, unless they’re all chipped and cracked after years of baking in the sun and abuse. Hunting for a perfect console has always been difficult, and can get expensive, but Classic Industries has your covered with different consoles including the second-gen Camaro automatic model.
This console is a reproduction of the original assembly used in 1973–81 Camaros. The console, made by Original Equipment Reproduction (OER), fits right in place and accepts all the parts from the original console for an authentic, factory appearance. Classic offers other consoles and components for many more muscle cars.
Detailed Doors
Want to make a single, easy upgrade that you’ll notice every time you get in your muscle car? Install a set of fresh door seals from Steele Rubber. New door seals will lessen wind noise and rattles, keep water out, and will improve your time behind the wheel.
Steele designs all its weatherstrips and seals directly from the factory pieces and/or drawings to ensure you get a part that fits perfectly every time. These primary door weatherstrips, for a 1965 Buick, mount with pins directly to the perimeter of the doors to seal against the body. Make of high-quality EPDM sponge rubber with properly molded corners.
Seats Covers is Colors and Patterns
Just about every muscle car is going to need a set of seat covers. There are a lot of sources for replacement vinyl seat covers, but what about for those models that had different fabrics and patterns in colors besides black? Take a look at Legendary Auto Interiors.
Case in point, a ’69 Dart with trim code D2B, a blue interior with a split-bench front seat. Legendary has an authentic seat cover with original ascot grain inserts and coachman grain skirts. The covers are hand sewn at their New Jersey facility for an exact match and fitment to factory. Legendary has most muscle car applications and colors handled.
