Layton Vehicle Restoration

  Transforming a Classic: Our 1968 Land Cruiser Project At our hot rod shop, we take pride in breathing new life into vintage vehicles, and our latest project, a 1968 Land Cruiser, is no exception. This iconic off-roader has undergone a complete transformation, blending classic ruggedness with modern performance and style. Here's a rundown of everything we've done to turn this Land Cruiser into a true masterpiece.  LS3 Crate Motor The heart of this beast is a powerful LS3  Crate motor. Known for its reliability and performance, the LS3 offers an impressive upgrade over the original engine. With 430 horsepower at its disposal, this Land Cruiser is ready to conquer any terrain. Holley Pro-Flo 4 Fuel Injection To complete the LS3, we installed a Holley Pro-Flo 4 fuel injection system. This setup ensures optimal fuel delivery, impr ... read more

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone the very best of the holiday season, and to reflect on a little Christmas nostalgia. Christmas makes me think about piling into the car to visit friends and family. It reminds me of when we would stick a fir tree either on top of our car or out the back of the trunk. It also makes me think of all my Christmas wish lists I had over the years for so many cool toys. Thinking of all those toys, I can safely say, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to!” Just for fun, here are a couple of film clips that I find quite nostalgia. Even if you didn’t have these exact experiences as a child, I think that most of us will find that these scenes from A Christmas Story capture a certain feeling of nostalgia. Did you ever try this? I certainly stuck my tongue to a few popsicles in my day. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday

What are the most iconic cars from film and television? We’ve compiled a list, trying to put aside our own preferences (for muscle cars of course!) and instead focusing on the cars that we think are absolutely the most famous and most recognizable to just about anyone. DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future The most recognized and distinctive car associated with a single film is quite obvious. It definitely goes to the DeLorean DMC-12. We probably don’t even need to mention Back to the Future and most people, even those who know nothing about cars, will know the type of car. James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 The epitome of cool, as seen in Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Cannonball Run, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale. Definitely part of James Bond lore and a true film icon. Milner’s 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe from American Graffiti The most famous hot rod, and one of the most all around cool cars from a ... read more

Which do you prefer; a car restored to its original condition or a car that’s been “upgraded” to a hot rod? Around here, we particularly love muscle cars and we have a great appreciation for the original cars. We love the history of those classics, and it’s our passion to preserve that history. We also know that maintaining a classic car can help the value of the car to appreciate. However, we do also appreciate some of the impressive and creative changes that people make to their hot rods. When you decide to hot rod your vehicle, you’re definitely turning the car into a hobby car. That can be a lot of fun, but remember that what pleases you won’t necessarily please someone else, so you really have to commit to the car as your own creative project. Wikipedia has this to say about Hot Rods: When people go the hot rod route, they tend to be attracted to things like larger engines and suspensio ... read more

Not everyone lives in a sunny part of the world, and preparing your classic car for storage in the winter is an important annual event. Rain, sleet, snow, and salt can all take their toll on a car, so car storage is an important ritual that you’ll perfect and master over the years. Here are some of our tips for storing your classic car for the winter.   Choosing a Storage Location You need a secure, and most importantly, dry location for your car storage. It’s also a good idea for the storage space to be dark, as any light can cause your paint job to fade over time. It’s best to choose a facility with concrete floors, as any kind of natural dirt floor will have moisture in it.   Place the vehicle on jack stands to avoid flat tires.   Inform your insurance provider if you’re storing your car off-site.  Preparing the Car for Storage  Give your car one last good wash for the season ... read more

Car Wax for Classic Cars: Pros & Cons  If you have a classic car, you want to take the best possible care of it. The question often comes up: is waxing worth it? There are many benefits to waxing your classic car, but there are some drawbacks as well.   One of the primary benefits of waxing your car is that the wax provides a protective barrier, coating the paint and protecting your vehicle from the elements. Wax helps to prevent rust by filling in tiny surface scratches that are invisible to the eye but leave room for rust to start to form.   If you choose a high-quality wax—and you always should—you can look for a wax that includes UV protection. UV rays aren’t just damaging to your skin; they can damage your paint job too. The rays cause the paint the paint to oxidize which is not a good thing. Not only will the paint start to look dull but it will also deteriorate.   Waxing your ca ... read more

So you’re thinking of buying a classic car? Whether it’s your first (welcome to the club) or one of many, there are certain factors to consider before making a purchase. Shopping for a classic car is not like shopping for a “used” car. No two classics are alike. Each classic is unique and special in its own way. A true classic has layers, like an onion, of history, nostalgia, and a whole lot of unique personality. And along with all of that personality there are quirks… and maybe even a bit of—dare we say—“baggage.” That doesn’t mean that the car isn’t worth the investment, but it’s important that you know what you’re getting yourself into when you make the purchase and that you negotiate on the price accordingly. There are a variety of questions that we recommend that you ask the seller about the car. Most of the time you have to go with trust, and with your gut feeling, because it’s very hard to ev ... read more

Classic Car Tips: How to Detail the Interior of your Car   Are you looking for tips on how you can take care of the interior of your classic car yourself?   Of course, we do recommend professional detailing, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t step in to take extra care of your car in between the pro visits. A good regular cleaning takes a bit of elbow grease, but it will go a long way to contribute to the quality, value, and longevity of your vehicle.  When we talk about interior cleaning, we don’t mean just renting the car vacuum at the car wash. Here are our tips for taking care of the interior of your classic car.   Materials  Microfiber towels   A microfiber towel specifically for glass – for the windshield, etc.  Brush with bristles   Dry brush   Wet brush  A good vacuum with a hose attachment  Automotive ... read more

So you own a classic car? Terrific! What kind? We’d love to hear about it. Are you wondering what you can do to maintain your vehicle? We’re classic car enthusiasts with a particular passion for muscle cars. Whenever we meet an owner of any kind of classic car who’s looking for maintenance advice, we always give them the same four tips: 1. Take Your Classic Car in for Regular Maintenance An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it’s still important to go for a regular checkup for your own health, right? Well, the same is true for a classic car. Your old friend needs even more love and care than a regular car, and even if you’re very knowledgeable about your vehicle, the eyes of a professional will absolutely help to increase the longevity of your car. If you’re capable of performing maintenance on your own car, that’s definitely an asset, but you should still have it checked by a qualified mechanic. You never know what ... read more

  Do you love the “Super Hugger” 1970 Camaro? So do we! Around here, we love all Muscle Cars, and the Camaro is high on our list. The second-generation Chevrolet Camaro was first introduced in the spring of 1970. That sure was a good-looking spring for cars! Along with the Camaro, there was the 1970 Ford Mustang, the Ford Torino, the Mercury Cougar, the Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac GTO, and they were also making Pontiac A-Body Convertible and the Pontiac A-Body Coupe at that time, both from 1968-1972. The Camaro, aka the “Super Hugger,” was produced from the 1970 model year through to the 1981 model year by Chevrolet. This car was longer, lower, and wider than the first generation Camaro. People called it "a driver's car" in comparison to its predecessor, which was a convertible type. Because the first generation Camaro was so successful, Chevrolet had a bigger budget when they worked on the 1970 Camaro. The basic unibody and mechanical la ... read more