Upgrades
Upgrades for Classic American Muscle Cars
Upgrades are not about adding parts. They are about improving how a car drives, responds and is used. At PTTM, upgrades are approached as technical decisions, guided by experience and a clear understanding of each car’s purpose.
Many clients first come to us for maintenance or repair work. Over time, as we assess how the car is used and where its limitations lie, targeted upgrades may be discussed. These decisions are never automatic, they are considered and aligned with the owner’s goals.
Types of Upgrades
We carry out a wide range of upgrades, including:
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Manual transmission conversions, such as 5- and 6-speed Tremec setups
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Engine and drivetrain upgrades
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Suspension and braking improvements
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Steering and drivability upgrades
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Wheels, tires, and chassis-related modifications
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Exhaust and supporting systems
Each upgrade is evaluated in the context of the complete car. The objective is balance, usability and longevity. Not modification for its own sake.
In-House Execution
All upgrade work is performed in-house at our workshop.
Our facilities include:
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A dedicated engine-building room
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Mechanical workshop for maintenance and upgrades
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Restoration hall for concurrent projects
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Body and paint facilities for undercoating, blasting and refinishing
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A metal shop for welding and fabrication
This allows us to control quality, integration and execution across all systems.
Parts & Components
We operate multiple parts warehouses, including:
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Stock and special-order new parts sourced directly from the USA
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Original and used parts retained from previous projects and disassembly
This access supports correct fitment, continuity and informed decision-making during upgrades.
Discuss an Upgrade
If you are considering upgrades or want to understand whether changes would meaningfully improve your car, we invite you to get in touch.
We’ll review your car, discuss its current setup and intended use, and advise on whether upgrades are appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Our workshop handles a full range of mechanical and performance upgrades for classic American muscle cars. This covers engine upgrades and rebuilds, modern fuel injection conversions, electronic ignition upgrades, brake system upgrades from drum to disc, suspension improvements including coilover conversions, steering upgrades, cooling system enhancements, and modern audio and electrical system installations. Whether you want a single focused upgrade or a comprehensive mechanical transformation, we work to the same standard as our full restoration and build projects.
Yes. Our workshop is open to clients who own classic American muscle cars sourced elsewhere. If you have a car that needs specific work – a brake upgrade, a suspension refresh, an engine rebuild, or a more involved mechanical project – contact us to discuss what is involved. We assess each car individually before committing to a scope of work.
The most common upgrades we carry out fall into three categories. Safety and reliability upgrades are the most frequent – converting drum brakes to disc, upgrading cooling systems, fitting electronic ignition in place of points, and refreshing deteriorated rubber components throughout the car. Drivability upgrades come next – power steering conversions, improved suspension geometry, and modern radial tyre fitments that transform how the car handles without affecting its appearance. Performance upgrades – carburetor rebuilds or fuel injection conversions, engine rebuilds with improved specifications, and exhaust upgrades – are the third most common category.
It depends on what is done and how it is done. Reversible upgrades that leave the original components intact – fitting electronic ignition while retaining the original distributor, for example – have minimal impact on originality. Permanent modifications that replace original components affect numbers-matching status and should be considered carefully on cars where that status carries significant value. We will always advise you honestly on the implications of any upgrade for the car’s originality and value before proceeding. For cars where originality is the primary value driver, we will recommend the most sympathetic approach. For cars being built as drivers or pro-touring machines, the calculus is different and we discuss it openly.
Minor upgrades – an ignition conversion, a brake upgrade, a cooling system refresh – typically take days to a week depending on parts availability and our current workshop schedule. More involved work takes proportionally longer. We give you a realistic timeline estimate before the work begins and keep you informed throughout. Contact us at [email protected] or call +31 6 25 19 61 76 to discuss your car’s needs and get a sense of timing and scope.
Yes. Contact us in advance to discuss the work you need and to schedule an appropriate slot in our workshop calendar. Walk-in work is not something we accommodate – we plan our workshop schedule around the projects we have committed to, which protects every client’s timeline. Contact us at [email protected] or +31 6 25 19 61 76 to book.
Get in Touch
We’re happy to discuss your plans and advise on the right next steps. Whether you’re considering a purchase, planning a restoration or build, or exploring options for selling or registration.
