1968 Camaro Convertible from Down Under [Archive]

68LS1

12-23-2008, 04:22 PM

Cool! Right hand drive...what all did it take to pull that off?

I could have kept it Left Hand Drive and had it registered on a "Hobby" registration. As I want to be able to drive it whenever I want and also is easier to drive around as Right Hand Drive (RHD) I decided to go that way. There were RHD Impalas built in Canada in the late 60's and some of these were exported to Australia. I located a power steering box from one of these and also as these were a rear steer the chassis rails where the steering box and idler arm mount. The steering box I sent to DSE who then went to the Saginaw facility, searched part books etc and got some late model internals and rebuilt and upgraded box :thumbsup: . As you can see box is a mirror copy of LHD Camaro box. We then grafted the mounting parts of chassis rail from RHD Impala into subframe. We made a jig that using upper control arm mounting points, located the mounting holes for box and idler arm in LHD chassis, then using this we were able to locate the RHD section of chassis in the identical spot. The main reason for this was to locate steering box in "correct" slightly indented position in the right hand rail. I couldn't be happier with it, worked out exactly like I'd hoped and has a real "factory" look about it. Steering column sits exactly in centre of seat and is square to driver. I've seen a lot of conversions where they have just bolted a RHD box to rail and this causes wheel to be off centre or coming in at a angle.

I'll add more on dash and air conditioning.

cheers Roger

ProdigyCustoms

12-23-2008, 04:45 PM

Lookin good Rodger. Looks like everything got there in tact. Heat treated wood and all, LOL!

I learned something there I tell ya.

68LS1

12-23-2008, 07:33 PM

Lookin good Rodger. Looks like everything got there in tact. Heat treated wood and all, LOL!

I learned something there I tell ya.

Hi Frank
Yes got there, shipping agents got customs clearance very promptly for me, arrived in shop 1 hour before Xmas break up, quickly opened crate, everything appeared to be there safe and sound :thumbsup: , shop re-opens Jan 5, will do inventory check then, thanks
Roger

68LS1

09-21-2009, 01:13 AM

Boy those 9 months went quick. Well we started it up today, fired up straight away and it settled in to idle perfectly. Very happy about that, since I purchased engine & gearbox way back in 2001. Just some recent pics, now to get bumble bee & black tailpan painted, then finish assembly. Waiting on bumper bars to come back from chroming. Seats at trimmer already and has material now. Should go over to trimmers in a couple of weeks to fit interior and roof. Not much longer now, :) .

waynieZ

09-21-2009, 03:46 PM

Thats a nice looking project you have there.

68LS1

10-18-2009, 11:29 PM

Well car arrived at motor trimmers today. They want it for about 3 weeks. Really getting close now. Some pics from this morning.

L & H Kustoms

10-18-2009, 11:39 PM

really cool project :thumbsup:

68LS1

10-19-2009, 01:14 AM

really cool project :thumbsup:

thanks, really happy how the colour came out. May need to redo bumblebee stripes, not quite as glossy as I was hoping.

Bow Tie 67

10-19-2009, 08:08 AM

Very nice looking car, the opposite side steering gives it a nice cool factor.

thedugan

10-19-2009, 03:42 PM

What seats are those?

Blake Foster

10-19-2009, 03:58 PM

gotta admit seeing the subframe in reverse like that is strange, cool build !!

68LS1

10-19-2009, 06:07 PM

What seats are those?

Procar Rally, headrests still need to go back on.

cheers

awr68

10-19-2009, 06:26 PM

It's turning out very nice!! I bet you can't wait to drive it!! :thumbsup:

70rs

10-19-2009, 07:06 PM

Fantastic build!! Looks great!!:cheers:

68LS1

10-19-2009, 11:26 PM

It's turning out very nice!! I bet you can't wait to drive it!! :thumbsup:

You got that right :thumbsup:

Starting to warm up here now 82 degrees f (28 celsius) today, summer just round the corner :)

68LS1

10-27-2009, 11:52 PM

Popped in at trimmers to check on progress. I was pretty sure I'd never drive it with roof up but it looks great. The canvas top looks awesome.
Just waiting on some small parts that were out of stock, should have next week from USA, otherwise interior would be all done this week.

Evan Iroc-Z

10-28-2009, 11:29 AM

Anyone ever tell you the steering wheel is on the wrong side? :rofl:

Your car is looking really nice. Those seats are beautiful.

waynieZ

10-28-2009, 04:26 PM

The car looks great. That must heve been a lot of work swapping the dash to the other side.

RSZ28

11-15-2009, 02:17 PM

I could have kept it Left Hand Drive and had it registered on a "Hobby" registration. As I want to be able to drive it whenever I want and also is easier to drive around as Right Hand Drive (RHD) I decided to go that way. There were RHD Impalas built in Canada in the late 60's and some of these were exported to Australia. I located a power steering box from one of these and also as these were a rear steer the chassis rails where the steering box and idler arm mount. The steering box I sent to DSE who then went to the Saginaw facility, searched part books etc and got some late model internals and rebuilt and upgraded box :thumbsup: . As you can see box is a mirror copy of LHD Camaro box. We then grafted the mounting parts of chassis rail from RHD Impala into subframe. We made a jig that using upper control arm mounting points, located the mounting holes for box and idler arm in LHD chassis, then using this we were able to locate the RHD section of chassis in the identical spot. The main reason for this was to locate steering box in "correct" slightly indented position in the right hand rail. I couldn't be happier with it, worked out exactly like I'd hoped and has a real "factory" look about it. Steering column sits exactly in centre of seat and is square to driver. I've seen a lot of conversions where they have just bolted a RHD box to rail and this causes wheel to be off centre or coming in at a angle.

I'll add more on dash and air conditioning.

cheers Roger

Impressive that DSE went off and found the details to the RHD Saginaw steering box!

68LS1

11-16-2009, 02:34 PM

Impressive that DSE went off and found the details to the RHD Saginaw steering box!

I have found Kyle & Stacey Tucker to be 2 of the very nicest people. :thumbsup:

I'm hoping within the next few weeks I can finally give them some feedback on the steering box. :D

68LS1

11-19-2009, 12:12 AM

Stopped in for another look today, should be all done by tomorrow :D

Very happy with the work & the care of the trimmers.

Some pics

cheers Roger

tones2SS

11-19-2009, 09:49 AM

The interior looks great Rodger.:thumbsup:

68LS1

12-20-2009, 09:23 PM

I took it for a short drive today and was very happy with the way it drove, especially how it steered. With my current drive being an E Series Clubsport and what I am now used to, I think that I was very pleasantly surprised. Also haven't driven a manual for quite some time so had to remember that as well and had to be quick with the 4.11 gears.
No doubt it has the best steering feel of any converted car I have driven, brakes work great. Seats are very comfortable.
I'd sort of forgotten what it was like to drive an older car, windscreen is tiny and feels so close to you. You can see so much of the bonnet and with cowl bonnet even taller you think the front is pointing way in the sky. But after about 5 mins was all good. Was fabulous on the freeway at 60mph, car feels so solid.
Car is now booked in for registration on Jan 4

cheers Roger

Pics from today

awr68

12-20-2009, 10:10 PM

What a great build! Congrats on getting it on the road! :thumbsup:

"Swoosh"

12-21-2009, 02:23 AM

very nice :thumbsup:

murtah

12-25-2009, 08:30 PM

GregWeld

12-25-2009, 09:30 PM

Nice Camaro Roger!

Hope registration goes okay for you! Is that hard to do "down under"??

:cheers:

68LS1

12-27-2009, 07:46 PM

Roger,
Congrats on getting her on the road! I like how the car turned out. I have been driving mine but still don't have a top or interior yet.
Any big cruises planned? Oh and what is up with the daily driver being an E Series Clubsport? What happened to the Holden 6spd/ LS sedan?

Cheers,
Jim

Hi Jim
The Clubsport is the same car you rode in when you were here. I hope to drive it quite a bit when registered.
cheers Roger

68LS1

12-27-2009, 07:49 PM

Nice Camaro Roger!

Hope registration goes okay for you! Is that hard to do "down under"??

:cheers:

Registration process is usually straight forward. Only issue is car was imported so long ago, 1989, paperwork they require now was not required/issued back then. I have letter from dept in charge of import stating same, just hoping I get understanding manager at registration office and not too much drama.

cheers Roger

68LS1

01-03-2010, 09:45 PM

:thumbsup: It's registered!!!!

Got car registered today, all went smoothly. I'm feeling very relieved I must say, quite a sleepless night last night.

Just a couple of small tweaks after test drive, so should be able to bring it home tomorrow :)

I'll then set about getting some better photos.

cheers

70rs

01-03-2010, 09:52 PM

CONGRATS!! Glad to hear it is all done and registered. Looking forward to more pictures too.:cheers:

68LS1

03-17-2010, 01:59 AM

Some pics at last, from last weekend. Must have been too busy driving it, nearly 1,000 miles already. Gets better by the day :)

68LS1

11-09-2010, 03:28 PM

Finally the sun is out again, pic from car show on weekend

68LS1

04-14-2011, 04:55 PM

Couple of pics including engine bay from weekend show. Need to find a better looking dip stick, any ideas?

Has just undergone an engine upgrade, heads intake & cam.Made 350hp (260kw) at rear wheels, very happy with it

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bonecrrusher

04-16-2011, 04:15 PM

Car is looking good... you aussies get all the cool cars!!! :thumbsup:

waynieZ

04-16-2011, 08:24 PM

Plenty of power to have some fun with. The car looks great. Enjoy!

68LS1

08-24-2011, 12:42 AM

Pic from the weekend

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Link to more (there are some with girls in them, all clothed)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mozzie71/sets/72157627383043651/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mozzie71/sets/72157627205728729/

dwilson

08-24-2011, 07:07 AM

one of the nicest convertibles iv seen, thanks for representing in AU! HAIL HOLDEN and HSV!

68LS1

10-12-2011, 02:38 AM

Updated photo links in previous post

mdprovee

10-12-2011, 08:56 AM

Beautiful car. I want my next project to be a convertable.

68LS1

10-12-2011, 03:34 PM

Beautiful car. I want my next project to be a convertable.

thanks

68LS1

01-03-2012, 04:57 PM

Pic on New Vintage USA custom gauges installed

Very happy with them.

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68LS1

04-10-2013, 02:20 AM

Some shots my son's friend took last night in the garage, these are just raw images without any clean up.

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fleet

04-10-2013, 06:16 AM

Very nice Roger. :thumbsup:

syborg tt

04-13-2013, 06:15 AM

I agree very nice.

Richio1

04-13-2013, 11:55 AM

Awesome pictures. I love how the lighting was done. Would you mind having your son explain how he set up the camera?

Thanks

68LS1

04-15-2013, 10:42 PM

Awesome pictures. I love how the lighting was done. Would you mind having your son explain how he set up the camera?

Thanks

Hi Jeff, is my son's mate

His web site is here http://dl599photography.com/

I'm sure he will answer any questions, just link my post to show you where you saw them.

cheers Roger

68LS1

03-25-2014, 06:34 AM

Some current pics, out cruising in the Australian summer
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In a tunnel

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In a tunnel with friends

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syborg tt

03-25-2014, 07:28 AM

Car looks awesome !!!

Roger Poirier

03-25-2014, 12:37 PM

Love the photos! Very clean and tastefully done.:thumbsup:

waynieZ

03-25-2014, 12:44 PM

Nice pictures, the car looks great.

68LS1

03-25-2014, 02:45 PM

Car looks awesome !!!

Love the photos! Very clean and tastefully done.:thumbsup:

Nice pictures, the car looks great.

Thanks guys

GregWeld

03-25-2014, 04:01 PM

Great Pics Roger!

The car is okay -- if that's what you're in to... LOL

I thought of you the other day when I was in Austin. Were your ears ringing? :>)

68LS1

03-25-2014, 04:15 PM

Great Pics Roger!

The car is okay -- if that's what you're in to... LOL

I thought of you the other day when I was in Austin. Were your ears ringing? :>)

Thanks? for the kind words :)

What was happening in Austin? Hopefully the V8s will go back to COTA and give me an excuse to get back there, really enjoyed it there.

GregWeld

03-25-2014, 04:28 PM

Thanks? for the kind words :)

What was happening in Austin? Hopefully the V8s will go back to COTA and give me an excuse to get back there, really enjoyed it there.

#1 -- They're not coming back.

My daughter came down to Fort Worth while I was there last week during the lull between the Good-Guys Lonestar Nationals --- and the USCA Texas Motor Speedway event. She wants to be a chef and we drove to Austin to look at the Cordon Bleu school there.

68LS1

03-25-2014, 04:36 PM

#1 -- They're not coming back.

I think you are right, but when announcing this years calendar, they made mention of wanting to go back in 2015

Reason given for not being there this years was no suitable date, due to X Games at COTA?

Flash68

03-25-2014, 05:41 PM

great pics Rog! and better than the pics, great to see you out in nice weather enjoying that thing.

glassman

03-25-2014, 06:58 PM

It looks so weird with nobody driving it....hehehe. I've never seen a right hand Camaro before.

Was watchin Top Gear last nite while they were in Burma, they drive on the right and have right hand drives, and Richard points out "watch, soon a bus will pull out and the people will walk right into traffic" sure enough i laughed my a$$ off....

68LS1

01-01-2019, 06:03 PM

As car has been on the road for 9 years, thought a little update was due. Put some new wheels on it, PT.2.1 - U367 / Matte Black w/ Polished Lip, same size as previous, 18 x 8" & 18 x 9". Also a talented friend of my son, gave it some paint correction love. It must have worked, couple of snaps from first outing found on Facebook

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Happy New Year everyone

Gmachine1911

01-02-2019, 07:10 AM

Some current pics, out cruising in the Australian summer
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In a tunnel

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In a tunnel with friends

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Just saw this thread for the first time...beautiful car! Love the right hand drive and execution is amazing. The pics of you guys in the tunnel should be hanging on your wall somewhere, seriously!
Keep the pics coming!

GregWeld

01-02-2019, 07:27 AM

Saw this on FaceBook..... looks great Roger!

fleet

01-02-2019, 11:35 AM

Very sweet ride Roger...

Just saw this thread for the first time...beautiful car! Love the right hand drive and execution is amazing. The pics of you guys in the tunnel should be hanging on your wall somewhere, seriously!
Keep the pics coming!

X2. :thumbsup:

https://i.postimg.cc/BnYyRcrh/B997-BC2-A-1062-4-BCB-AE73-EB2-F3-F375620.jpg (https://postimages.cc/)

68LS1

01-02-2019, 02:54 PM

Very sweet ride Roger...

X2. :thumbsup:

https://i.postimg.cc/BnYyRcrh/B997-BC2-A-1062-4-BCB-AE73-EB2-F3-F375620.jpg (https://postimages.cc/)

The noise was also memorable, all the better from a convertible. Here is a pic of yellow Camaro next to me 634 cubic inch. 67 Camaro in front is another BBC, and so on :evil:

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68LS1

11-21-2022, 04:16 AM

Been awhile, the tinkering still goes on, remembering this LS conversion was done way back in 2006 when you made it all up yourself. Engine bay relocated coils to under valve covers, replaced OEM accessory drive with Drive Junky, replaced engine mounts with Holley version, replaced fabricated oil pan with the Holley 302-2. This located engine a bit lower which is what I was after. Installed Dakota Digital RTX gauges, swapped steering wheel to small dish, larger diameter, and black. Switched front springs to Ridetech Streetgrip (so much better ride than the Hotchkis, (again this was along time ago). Upgraded stereo to a bluetooth version. Some pics

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