THE BUILDS BEHIND THE NICHOLS NAME.

Explore custom automotive projects from Nichols Paint & Fab in Watseka, Illinois. From classic Camaros and Ford coupes to custom trucks, these galleries showcase completed builds and projects in progress. Browse the details, find inspiration, and explore what’s possible for your own vehicle.

featured build: 1964 ford fairlane

This 1964 Ford Fairlane combines classic styling with modern performance, featuring a 5.0L Coyote engine, automatic transmission, 9-inch rear end, and CalTrac rear suspension. Vintage Air conditioning and a modern stereo add comfort, while a new interior by Vos Upholstery completes the cabin. Finished in deep teal with bronze wheels, this restomod brings vintage character and modern upgrades together.

Front view of a vintage turquoise 1964 Ford Fairlane restomod sedan car parked outdoors with power lines and a traffic signal in the background. The car has yellow fog lights and an Illinois license plate reading 'TIMZ 64'.

Interior of a classic car with a tan dashboard, black steering wheel, and gear shift, parked outdoors on a sunny day.

Close-up of the front side of a vintage teal-colored Ford Fairlane 500 car, featuring a custom bronze-colored wheel and a badge with checkered flags and the number 302.

A vintage blue and chrome 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 restomod car with yellow headlights parked in a lot with other vehicles and a dealership building in the background under a cloudy sky.

Rear view of a turquoise 1964 Ford Fairlane restomod car with license plates from Illinois, parked in an empty lot with a building and trees in the background.

A turquoise 1964 Ford Fairlane restomod parked in an empty parking lot with a black building and power lines in the background.

Interior view of a vintage car with beige upholstery, dashboard, steering wheel, and gear shift, parked in an outdoor lot.

A vintage teal-colored car, a 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 restomod, parked in an outdoor lot with a cloudy sky and power lines in the background.

Close-up of a black rubber surface with a blue oval sticker labeled 'JIMZ 64' on it, above a brown textured surface.

latest builds

1969 CAMARO

This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro pairs an LSX engine and 4L80E transmission with a custom chassis and paintwork by Nichols Paint & Fab. Billet Specialties wheels complete the exterior, while an interior by Carriage House, Dakota Digital gauges, and Vintage Air heating and air conditioning bring modern comfort to this classic muscle car. Glass by Glass Guy Chicago, an American Autowire wiring harness, and DEI sound deadening round out the build.

A shiny custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with its hood open on display at an indoor car show, surrounded by other vintage and custom vehicles.

A custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with black racing stripes on display at an indoor car show, with its hood open revealing the engine.

A custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with a large rear spoiler displayed indoors, surrounded by other classic cars at an exhibit.

An orange information sheet about a custom orange and black pro, listing features like wheel specialties, glass, interior, paint, sound system, engine, transmission, and chassis details, owners' names, and a nearby racing event ticket with car image.

Rear view of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car displayed at a car show with other classic cars in the background.

A custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car on display at an indoor car show with other classic cars in the background.

Close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with open hood, showing its glossy exterior surface, at an indoor car exhibition. In the background, it appears to be other classic cars displayed with their hoods open.

Close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car hood with a black vent and part of a silver and black engine visible underneath.

Close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car engine with metallic components, black and silver parts, surrounded by an orange frame.

Close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro engine inside an open hood at an auto show, with other cars and attendees in the background.

A custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with its hood open on display at an indoor car show.

Close-up of the front right side of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car in an indoor car show, with several classic cars visible in the background.

Close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car with black and yellow stripes, black alloy wheels, and racing tires displayed indoors.

Close-up view of the interior of a luxury car showing the steering wheel, dashboard, and beige leather seats at an auto show with people in the background.

Interior of a car showing a steering wheel with a badge that reads 'EXPERIENCE' and dashboard gauges.

Close-up image of a vintage Sonora radio with labels and metallic parts on a wooden surface.

Close-up of the dashboard and steering wheel inside a vintage Ford Mustang car at an indoor event.

Close-up of a high-performance car engine with polished metal components and intricate mechanical parts.

A close-up of a custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car at an indoor car show, with people gathered around and examining other classic cars in the background.

A shiny custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car on display at an indoor auto show, with people and a child observing it.

A custom orange and black prostreet 1969 Chevrolet Camaro car on display at an indoor car show, surrounded by people admiring the vehicle.

1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro in root beer orange and black on display at a car show with the hood open.

Close-up of the custom gauge cluster and red-lit dashboard in a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro dashboard with illuminated speedometer and tachometer gauges.

Custom center console and push-button gear selector inside a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro interior with Pioneer touchscreen, custom dashboard and red ambient lighting.

Custom quilted interior upholstery and machined door handle detail in a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

Custom climate control panel and illuminated dashboard controls in a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

Pioneer touchscreen stereo system installed in a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

Street Rod Nationals event display featuring the 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro by Nichols Paint & Fab.

1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro in root beer orange and black displayed indoors with the hood open.

Front view of the 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro showing its root beer orange paint, black accents and open hood.

High-performance engine bay of a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro with custom components and detailed fabrication.

1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro in root beer orange and black on display indoors with the hood open.

Custom interior of a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro with black steering wheel, detailed gauges and brown upholstery.

Close-up of the root beer orange and black exterior finish on a 1969 Pro Street Chevrolet Camaro.

1946 CHEVY TRUCK

This 1946 Chevrolet pickup showcases extensive custom fabrication, including a chopped and stretched cab, a fully custom bed, and a body widened by 10 inches. An LT5 engine and 6L80E transmission are paired with custom headers and a chassis by Nichols Paint & Fab, plus full air ride suspension. Custom paint by Nichols, Schott wheels, and an interior by Vos Upholstery complete the truck, with Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air heating and air conditioning, an American Autowire wiring harness, glass by Glass Guy Chicago, and DEI sound deadening.