1961 Ford Falcon Gasser
Featured vehicle at PRI
This 1961 Ford Falcon Gasser has been a thrill to build.
Like most Falcons, this one had a humble beginning. Low horse power and small wheels. Being light and easy to modify, it would go on to become a gasser in the early 70s. It was then that it was cut up to accommodate slicks in the back and a straight axel in the front. And what is a gasser without a little flash? This Falcon went from factory blue to a two-tone pink & black. It spent the 70s racing and going to the strip.
In the 80s it turned owners to its current family. This car has had a special place in the family from that point on, and in late 2019 J5 Speedshop was asked to bring new life into this old bird. In early 2020, we started sheetmetal work to restore and modify the body.
Over the course of two years (and more than 350 hours in the paint and body department), we took this Falcon from a sentimental drag-racer to a lively show-piece, with more than a touch of nostalgic camp.
Full Specs:
Make: Ford
Model: Falcon
Year: 1961
Engine: 427ci SBF, built by Prestige Motorsports
Fuel management: FiTech EFI 600HP system, J5 Speedshop fuel cell
Radiator/cooling system: aluminum BeCool radiator with J5 fabricated aluminum pipe (materials by Vibrant Performance)
Air cleaner: K & N
Transmission: C4
Drive shaft: Elkhorn Drive Shaft Co, built and balanced
Front suspension: straight axel with leaf springs, and single adjustable QA1 PromaStar shocks
Rear end: Ford 9-inch, Moser Engineering housing, axels and 3rd member
Rear suspension: J5 Speedshop triangulated 4-link with MOD shocks by QA1
Brakes: Wilwood 4-piston caliper with 11 inch standard rotors
Exhaust: J5 Speedshop fabricated from manifold plates to turndown tips (Vibrant Performance, and Stainless Works materials.) Allstar 3-inch electric cutouts
Paint: Custom tri-coat pink (aka: J5 pink) & two-stage black with satin clear
Glass: Green tint (Done by Chicago Glass Guy and J5 Speedshop)
Trim: All original, restored and polished with rear wheel well modifications
Interior: metal work by J5 Speedshop, leather/cloth work by Mapes Auto Upholstery, with accessories from Billet Specialties, Lokar, & Dakota Digital
Tube work: Roll cage and subframe connectors by J5 Speedshop; fabricated with RougeFab M600 tubing Bender and Miller dynasty 400 tig welder
1965 Pontiac GTO
Featured Vehicle at PRI
This 1965 Pontiac GTO has been a challenging and rewarding project.
What came to us as a straightforward motor and trans swap turned into a thoughtful restoration.
The GTO came to us in early 2021, and as disassembly began it became clear that not only would we be modifying the floor to accommodate a larger transmission, we would be replacing the entire floor from firewall to trunk (and then some) due to our worst enemy: rust.
In just under 12 months, we were able to save this timeless vehicle, while modernizing it and adding more power.
Full Specs:
Make: Pontiac
Model: GTO
Year: 1965
Engine: LS3, from Chevrolet Performance
Fuel management: FiTech EFI Retro LS system
Radiator/cooling system: aluminum BeCool radiator
Air cleaner: K & N
Transmission: T56 Magnum
Drive shaft: Elkhorn Drive Shaft Co, built and balanced
Front suspension: QA1
Rear end: Ford 9-inch, Moser Engineering housing, axels and 3rd member
Rear suspension: QA1 with J5 Speedshop modifications
Brakes: Wilwood Dynalite 4-piston calipers with 11 inch rotors
Exhaust: J5 Speedshop fabricated exhaust using Vibrant Performance materials, Flowmaster headers, Hooker Blackheart EVC
Paint: Refreshed original and color match on restored areas.
Windshield Glass: Green tint, done by Chicago Glass Guy
Trim: All original, restored and polished
Interior: Modifications made by J5 Speedshop, accessories by Billet Specialties, Vintage Air, Lokar, & Dakota Digital.
Restorations: Floor pan, firewall, front & rear wheel wells, convertible top, windshield frame.
Bill's C10
A RatRod Inspired Build
This beauty was made to cruise.
Bill came to us to restore his 61 C10 to a new glory. He wanted something beefy with a little subtly to it. From the matte black exterior to the glossy interior, we delivered in spades.
We used 2.5 inch Vibrant Performance stainless steel exhaust pipes and mufflers, and QA1 Stocker Star single adjustable shocks on the rear. We fixed and restored the metal, along with the body work and paint. We also mounted the motor, installed the drivetrain, and rewired throughout.
Need more? Check out our social media for a better idea of our current projects, a sneak peak of our process, and to join our growing community!
'68 C10 LWB-R
Pride in Every Weld
The chassis for our '68 C10 LWB-R was seen at the 2020 Race and Performance Expo. Suited for '67 to '72 C10s, this chassis was designed in house and hand sculpted.
Shown here with our house-built aluminum fuel tank, QA1 MOD shocks, Moser Engineering rear end, FiTech EFI fuel pump and intake, Boze Forged wheels, and an LS3 motor with a T56 transmission.
This build displays the care we take in every component from the ground up.
