Client Spotlight: Ruiz Brothers Landscaping

The Ruiz brothers (left to right): Robbie and Ziggy of Ruiz Landscaping and Joey Ruiz of Hot Rides Auto Body in Northbrook. The car is a ’69 Camaro with an LS2 engine featuring a blower and fuel injection.

Landscape design by summer; Muscle car restomod by winter

When you own a landscape construction company in the Chicago area, how do you keep busy during the winter months? Ziggy and Robbie Ruiz turn to their classic car restomod side business.

The brothers own Ruiz Landscaping in Northbrook, a 57-year-old, second-generation business started by their dad. In the off season, they restore muscle cars for auction, equipping them with modern, high-tech, fuel injected engines. Their projects have been sold at Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Auctions. They have a full workshop inside Hot Rides Auto Body, owned by their brother Joey.

The brothers first became Glenbrook Auto Parts clients 30 years ago when they were working at Rex’s Service Station in Northfield (now a Shell station). At the time, Bob Hillinger owned and operated Glenbrook Auto Parts, and Ray was behind the counter learning the business.

They’ve been loyal clients since. “When you call another parts store, they ask what make and model,” Ziggy says. “None of that matters here because we’re building something that is custom. You call Ray and say, ‘I’m building a ‘57 Chevy. It has an LS1 from a 2005 Corvette. I need X.’ They can help you with that.”

The Ruiz brothers (left to right): Joey, Robbie and Ziggy of Ruiz Landscaping and Hot Rides Auto Body in Northbrook. The car is a ’66 Nova with a 400 small block and F1 ProCharger.

Just one of the many types of restomod projects Ziggy and Robbie Ruiz take on.

An LS1 engine with fuel injection.

This ’73 Formula is a father-son restomod project.