INTRO
The true meaning of cars:
We all have our own ideas of what we consider our dream car. For me, it's a '69 Camaro. It's interesting to me how the concept of everyone�s dream car is developed. It may be something that is in your blood, as your father owned a classic car ('64 Chevy SS Impala), or has a passion for them. It may be as simple as a neighbor down the street owning some kind of muscle car (a black '68 Camaro). A friend that you grew up with may have owned some kind of muscle car ('67 Chevelle) that you admired. Perhaps your father's friend owned some kind of classic car ('56 Chevy) which you saw every once and awhile. Maybe a certain movie (Better Off Dead) showcased some kind of car (a black '68 Camaro) that you loved. Whatever the story may be, we all have an idea of what our dream car would be. These insignificant events that happen to us when we are young, are later realized as being defining car moments in our lives. For me, all of the above dream car scenarios are true. I grew up with a father having a passion for classic cars. Although he couldn't afford them because he was busy raising a family, we always had this common interest. It wasn't until I was graduated from college, and established in my profession, that my Dad and I could afford to jump into this expensive and exciting hobby together.  While building a car, it's easy to get carried away and lose perspective of things. For me, it's been easy going a little overboard financially by buying the latest greatest in technology. A guy can buy anything and everything under the sun for a '69 Camaro. The coolest thing that has come out of building this car is the new relationships that I have developed with people, but most importantly, the bond my Dad and I have been able to strengthen with this common interest. So you see, it's not about the cars, it's about people and relationships. Without relationships, classic cars would be boring and meaningless.

The story of my car:
I had developed a taste for 1st generation Camaros growing up, particularly the '69 Camaro. I had always wanted one and finally reached a point in my life where I could afford one. The hunt for a '69 Camaro wasn't easy. In fact, the hunt and the building process has taught me a new meaning to the word "patience". Having never restored a car, I was clueless about the process and commitment level involved in restoring/building one. My car was literally a basket case, having been totally stripped apart and the parts and pieces in boxes. The previous owners had started restoring the car and I had bought the car at the beginning of the project as basically a shell and frame. I had originally planned on restoring the car to its original condition, but time and research has led me to take a protouring direction with it. I bought the car in March of 2003. I took it out of the body shop it was in and parked it in my Dad's garage. I worked with a local racing shop called REV Racing in building an engine. That alone was quite the learning experience knowing minimal about engines. My Dad and I joined a car club which has turned out to be a great resource. I then turned my focus on the car. The first major expense I ran into was straightening the frame. After checking the car over, I found some frame damage on the rear frame rails from being rear ended. This was disappointing as the body work was supposedly done on the car and two new rear quarter panels had already been replaced and welded onto a crooked frame. After fixing the frame, direction was turned toward finding a new body man. I was lucky to have met probably one of the most talented body men in the northwest, Mr. Bill Zahara, at a car show the same month I had purchased the car. It was decided to have him finish the car.  I delivered the car to his garage on June 22, 2004. With his expertise and talent, the direction of the project did a 180 degree turn. It was slowly decided to build a custom protoured car. It has been an exciting and long venture. Currently I have owned the car for 3 years, and believe it will be another 2 years before it will be road worthy. Can�t wait to get it on the road!

TECH SHEET
Engine: REV Racing Engines 355 small block. Compression ratio is 9.3:1. 2 bolt main block reinforced with ARP studs. Machine work done by Custom Engine and Machine. Engine block was a virgin 350 and casting number indicates it was from another �69 Camaro. Edelbrock Victor Jr. port matched aluminum manifold. Dart Pro 1 aluminum 200cc heads. 4 valve Speed Pro forged aluminum pistons. Stock connecting rods with ARP bolts. Stock cast iron crankshaft. Cloys double roller timing chain. Comp Pro Magnum rocker arms, Comp lifters, Dart/Comp valve springs, Manley pushrods, and Comp Extreme Energy hydraulic cam (Advertised Duration @ .050�: Intake - 240, Exhaust - 246; Gross Lift: Intake - .507, Exhaust - .510). Moroso 7 qt. oil pan. Extras include SFI approved harmonic balancer, Edelbrock long style aluminum water pump with standard rotation, high flow 160 degree thermostat with Billet Specialties thermostat housing, high flow (130 gph) Holley mechanical fuel pump, ARP fuel pump push rod, March serpentine high water flow pulley system, March aluminum power steering pump, CSI mini starter, Summit 100 amp chrome alternator, and Lokar billet aluminum oil dip stick. Polished aluminum timing chain and valve covers.

Engine Dyno: Dyno�d at 400 hp at 5600 rpms and 389 ft-lbs of torque at 5100 rpms.

Ignition: MSD Pro Billet distributor with 6AL ignition box. 7000 rpm rev limiter module in ignition box. MSD 8.5mm spark plug wires.

Induction: Speed demon 750 cfm carb

Transmission: Tremec 3550 TKO 5 speed with 525 ft/lb rating. Has true over drive 5th gear. 1st - 3.27, 2nd � 1.98, 3rd � 1.34, 4th � 1.0, 5th � 0.68. Additional features include McLeod steel bellhousing, Weber dual friction 10.4� clutch, and Weber steel 153 tooth flywheel.

Exhaust: Hooker super comp ceramic coated headers. Custom Flowmaster 3� dual exhaust with H pipe, ceramic coated and installed by Billy Z. Flowmaster super 40 mufflers. Floorpan has been modified by Billy Z for increased exhaust clearance. Rear valance has been modified for 3.5� polished stainless exhaust tips.

Suspension:

Front: Modified front clip with Detroit Speed and Engineering (DSE) upper and lower tubular control arms and DSE Koni coilover shocks. New front sway bar, 600 steering gear unit with quick ratio 12.7:1 steering, rag joint and pitman arm, DSE tie rod adjusters, and inner and outer tie rod ends with idler arm. Ididit tilt steering column with ignition switch.

Rear: Custom three link/torque arm suspension by Billy Z. The set up mimics what the �82-02 Camaros have. The setup includes a narrowed Chris Alston's Chassis Works custom fab9 rear end housing. The rearend has Strange soft locker 370 gears with Strange 31 spline axles. The lower shock and panhard bar mounts have been fabricated and welded onto the rearend housing and frame by Billy Z. A Currie torque arm mount has also been welded onto the rearend housing. The rearend housing has been ceramic coated and polished. The three link components have been purchased from BMR Fabrication Inc. and include two control arms and a torque arm. A Lakewood panhard bar has been modified and will keep the rearend centered. The tunnel has been widened to make room for the torque arm. The rear wheel wells are mini-tubbed with custom made wheel wells. A DSE crossmember has been modified and installed into the trunk which will provide the upper shock mounts. DSE rear coilover koni shocks 200 lb/in rating top off the rearend setup.

Brakes

Front: Baer track system with 13� slotted, cross drilled, and zinc washed single piece rotors. It comes with PBR 2-piston calipers.

Rear: Baer touring system with 12� slotted, cross drilled, and zinc washed single piece rotors. It comes with PBR single piston calipers.

Wheels and Tires

Front: Intro Pentia 17 x 7 rolled lip wheels with 4.5� back space.
BFGoodrich 205/50ZR17 g-Force T/A KDW tires.

Rear: Intro Pentia 18 x 12 rolled lip custom made wheels with 6.5� back space. BFGoodrich 345/30R18 g-Force drag radial.

Interior: Marquez Design gauge cluster, dash pad, and door panels. Tea�s Design leather bucket seats. Stock back seat modified to fit between mini-tubs and reupholstered in leather. Custom suede head-liner. Custom carpet. Custom made 4 point show bar by Billy Z. Entire floor-pan lined with extreme dynamat. Billet Specialties street star aluminum steering wheel. Shaved stock speaker hole.

Exterior: Two-tone paint green and black by Billy Z. The two colors are separated by a cobalt blue stripe. Tribal cross tattoo design ghost painted into car. DSE bright driver 7� headlights. Marquez Design billet indicator, side marker, and modern taillights. Marquez Design billet aluminum front and back SS emblems. Bumper bolts have been shaved and bumpers rechromed. The firewall, door handles and locks, trunk lock, mirrors, windshield wipers, chrome and emblems have been shaved.

Body: DSE weld-in subframe connectors have been installed, but we have made it so they are bolted to the front clip rather than welded. Custom rear frame rails by Billy Z. DSE aluminum body bushings with stainless steel bolt kit.

Other Items: Be Cool aluminum big block radiator with dual Spal electric fans. Dakota Digital remote keyless entry system. Ron Francis Wiring Kit. New glass from D & R Classic Automotive Inc. Custom stainless steel gas tank EFI ready, built by Rick�s Hot Rod Shop.