I�ve always been a fan of the 1st generation Camaro. I think it may have first started with the movie, �Better Off Dead.� I know more than a few people can point to this movie as the origin of their 1st gen desires. Actually I think I liked the look of the cars before I saw the movie, but the idea of taking something �under a tarp� and turning it into something awesome is really what got me hooked.

Not long after I got my license, I was on the lookout for a 1st gen. It�s funny how to some people I�m sure they�re just another old car or just another Camaro. For those that have the love though, you can spot them a mile away. I think you know what I mean. This being before the Internet and all, I finally spotted one at a used car lot and convinced my parents that I was worthy. It was a �67 RS with a 327 that leaked oil from the rear main and all over the exhaust to make my very own smoke shield. It�s a lot cooler in a video game than in real life though, so I got that fixed.

I first started really digging into the mechanicals with this car - removing the heads in my parents� garage and getting the help of my next door neighbor- a retired UPS mechanic. This car started me on my journey that has led me to my current project.
I located this car on eBay, and it looked perfect for my needs: No drivetrain or interior. I knew that I wanted to build it up from scratch, and so I decided on a ready-made power plant that wouldn�t keep me Jonesing for more performance- a Ram Jet 502. It didn�t take much research to find out that a Tremec TKO-600 would be the transmission for me, and behind that went a Chris Alston Chassisworks FAB-9 housing, with a Strange 3.70 pumpkin and 31 spline axles. Chassisworks was called upon several times, supplying their front clip, Wilwood Dynalite discs on all four corners, their custom fit headers, and an 8-point roll cage. Pypes 3� exhaust blows through Spintech mufflers.

A call was placed to Detroit Speed, and they became another big supplier for my ride. Kyle and crew sent out their mini-tub kit, some 3� drop leafs, a Vintage Air A/C system, Vintage Air Frontrunner, Selecta-speed wiper motor, a battery relocation kit, bright driver headlights, firewall fill plate, Rock Valley stainless fuel tank, Ididit aluminum steering column, and some Budnik wheels and steering wheel.
I started in on the body modifications: Smoothing the firewall, replacing the trunk floor and door panels, and putting in the mini-tubs and roll cage. As I soon found out when stripping the car down, it was far from perfect. Although it seemed to be a real Western car with no rust, the front sheet metal was bad and it had been hit many times in both rear quarters, especially the drivers one which looked like swiss cheese after all the body filler had been removed. I was able to put together the suspension and powertrain easy enough myself, but my thoughts of doing the entire car on my own were quickly vanishing.

I found a local shop to take care of my sheet metal woes - South County Auto Body. It took some time, but they replaced both quarters, fit the repro pieces in front, and customized the rear panel to fit the Goodridge motorcycle gas cap. They also smoothed the rear bumper and shaved the side markers and door and trunk locks. It was a great day to finally get the car back from them�nice and shiny.

Now my work began again as I packed the interior full of Dynamat (I had decided early on with the big block and A/C to have a full-on Pro-Touring ride with all the creature comforts). I wired in the Painless harness with many modifications suggested by Mark at M.A.D. Enterprises. Mark is a hard guy to get a hold of but well worth the wait - I credit him for helping me to build a trouble-free electrical system that has never let me down. Not realizing how loud - and beautiful sounding too I might add - the car would eventually become, I wired in an audio system with iPod hookup, using an Alpine head unit with JL Audio sub, amps, and coaxials. The interior has some special touches, including a console that I built with a vent that blows the A/C to the rear seat, a rear view mirror with electronic compass, thermometer and HomeLink, a voltmeter for the second battery which powers the tunes, and an inverter that lets the kids plug in their gameboys when they ride in back to a show.

I also made the forms in the trunk that house the amps and subwoofer. Pete at Westminister Auto Upholstery did an amazing job re-covering the Corbeau buckets, making a new back seat to fit around the tubs, and covering the roof, floor, and everything in between.

I�m really happy with how the car turned out - everyone who I show it to is just awestruck. To hear that fuel injected rat fire up right away and shake the structure is amazing. It has been great to drive from day one, and seeing Camaro Performers magazine thrash the car on the skidpad and around the cones with no broken parts was very cool. I�m very appreciative of my family to allow me to create this alter-ego, and it�s fun to go out to events together. Most of all I�m grateful and amazed by the depth of support from Lateral-g.net.  I didn�t know of anyone close by to get help from, but posting in the forums provided all the help I needed, not to mention the inspiration. So, let me just say... thanks!

Tom

Specs:

502 Ram Jet crate motor
Vintage Air Front Runner
Be Cool Radiator
Chassisworks Headers
Pypes 3" exhaust with X-pipe
Spintech mufflers
Milodon oil pan
Tremec TKO600 5-speed transmission
Lakewood scattershield
Hays clutch
Alston FAB9 rear end housing with Strange 3.70 gears, Detroit TruTrac, and 31-spline axles

Chassisworks front subframe with manual rack and Varishock coil-overs
Chassisworks subframe connectors
8 point Chassisworks cage with swing-outs
Wilwood Dynalite 4 wheel disc brakes
DSE 3" drop springs

Budnik Fontana wheels, 17x8 and 17x11 with 245/35 and 315/35 tires

Shaved door handles, emblems, and trunk lock
Smoothed rear bumper
Front bumper delete
Custom fitting Goodridge gas cap
Marquez tail lights
DSE mini-tubs
DSE firewall close-out panel
Rock Valley stainless fuel tank

Painless wiring harness
Technostalgia LED taillights
DSE battery hold down
Trunk mounted Optima batteries

Budnik Famosa steering wheel
Vintage Air A/C system
Ididit aluminum steering column
Corbeau Legacy seats
Crow Enterprizes 5-point harness
Lokar pedals and emergency brake cable
Covan dash with Autometer gauges

Alpine CDA-9835 head unit
JL Audio 300/4 and 500/1 amps
JL Audio XR650-CXi coaxials
JL Audio 10W7 Sub
Dynamat Extreme