From Australia to Salt Lake: The Heart-Stopping Moment Dave Kindig’s V12 Arrives, Plus the Latest on His Personal ’68 Chevelle Monster

The high-stakes world of custom car building rarely gets more intense than when Dave Kindig is involved.

The mastermind behind Kindig It Design and the hit show Bitchin’ Rides has built his reputation on transforming ordinary vehicles into jaw-dropping masterpieces that blend vintage soul with cutting-edge engineering.

In early 2026, the automotive community buzzed with anticipation as a pivotal moment unfolded: the delivery of a meticulously crafted V12 engine destined for one of Kindig’s most ambitious projects yet.

This wasn’t just any powerplant—it was a bespoke, high-performance beast hand-built and shipped from Australia, ready to breathe fire into a future legend.

But the excitement didn’t stop there.

During the handover at Kindig It Design’s Salt Lake City shop, the spotlight swung to Dave’s own personal project: his long-teased ’68 Chevelle, a muscle car icon he’s been quietly evolving into something extraordinary.

The V12 in question is no off-the-shelf crate engine.

Rooted in the LS architecture but stretched into a naturally aspirated 9.

2-liter monster, this custom unit—crafted by specialists like Race Cast Engineering and finalized by builders such as Dave’s Engines—delivers staggering power, rumored to push well beyond 650 horsepower with seamless, linear delivery.

The block, crankshaft, camshaft, cylinder heads, and every internal component were precision-machined, blueprinted, and ᴀssembled with obsessive detail to ensure reliability under extreme loads.

The delivery day was electric: the engine arrived fresh from overseas, crated and pristine, as the team carefully unloaded it into the shop.

For the recipient—a collaborator or high-profile client tied to Kindig’s orbit—this marked the start of the next phase.

Kindig’s crew would now integrate it fully, fabricating mounts, tuning the ECU, and wrapping it in the kind of flawless bodywork and interior that define the Kindig aesthetic: sleek lines, impeccable paint, and obsessive craftsmanship that turns heads at every show.

What made the moment even more thrilling was the crossover element.

The same V12 architecture had already powered Kindig’s groundbreaking “TwelveAir,” the all-aluminum, hand-formed 1953 Corvette-inspired coupe that stunned the world by winning the prestigious Ridler Award at the 2024 Detroit Autorama.

That build—kept secret for five grueling years—was Chevrolet’s fantasy Corvette that never existed: a Corvair concept reborn with modern aggression, a monocoque chᴀssis where the engine served as a structural element, and candy-apple red paint that popped under the lights.

The TwelveAir’s V12 LS-based heart, producing around 650-800 horsepower depending on tuning, proved the concept viable, earning back-to-back accolades and cementing Kindig’s status as an innovator unafraid to push boundaries.

Now, delivering another V12 felt like the next chapter in an evolving saga—proof that Kindig wasn’t done redefining what’s possible with unconventional powerplants in classic shells.

As the V12 settled into the shop, the conversation naturally shifted to Dave’s personal ride: his ’68 Chevelle.

For years, fans have followed teases and glimpses of this project—a clean, aggressive A-body muscle car that Dave has been transforming with his signature touch.

The ’68 Chevelle, with its iconic Coke-bottle shape, hidden headlights, and raw presence, has always been a blank canvas for big power and bold style.

Dave’s version is no exception.

Updates revealed during the visit showed significant progress: custom suspension work for a slammed stance, upgraded brakes to handle serious torque, and interior refinements blending vintage vibes with modern comfort.

The big reveal? Plans to install a similar V12 setup—adapted to fit perfectly in the engine bay, ensuring it “sits just right” for optimal performance and aesthetics.

This isn’t a quick swap; it’s a full integration, with custom headers, exhaust routing, and drivetrain matching to unleash the engine’s potential while maintaining the Chevelle’s classic proportions.

The stakes are high.

Kindig’s personal projects carry extra weight—they’re not client commissions but pᴀssion builds that reflect his vision unfiltered.

The ’68 Chevelle has been in the works amid a packed shop schedule, including multiple high-profile deliveries and preparations for events like SEMA.

Dave spoke candidly about the challenges: balancing timelines, sourcing rare parts, and ensuring every detail meets his exacting standards.

Yet the excitement was palpable.

“We’re doing two more of these,” he noted, hinting at a series of V12 builds, with the Chevelle as a flagship personal statement.

Imagine the sound: that smooth, exotic V12 growl echoing through the bayou-like rumble of a big-block muscle car, but refined, powerful, and utterly unique.

This delivery day captured the essence of what makes Kindig It Design legendary—the blend of collaboration, innovation, and relentless pursuit of perfection.

The V12 handover wasn’t just logistics; it was a milestone in automotive evolution, bridging continents, engineering disciplines, and eras.

For the client receiving the engine, the real work begins: transforming raw potential into a rolling sculpture.

For Dave, it’s fuel for his own fire—the Chevelle inching closer to completion, ready to dominate streets, shows, or perhaps even his next big reveal.

As the shop doors closed on the new arrival, the energy lingered.

Fans watching the update video flooded comments with speculation: Would the Chevelle debut at an upcoming show? Could this spark a V12 trend in muscle cars? One thing is certain—when Dave Kindig delivers power like this, the automotive world stops and watches.

The V12 is in house, the Chevelle is progressing, and the next masterpiece is revving just beneath the surface, waiting to unleash its fury.