1970 Rally Sport Camaro - Pro Touring

[68LS1]

After many years of talking about this one, it is underway. Plan is modern protouring style.

LS3 (650hp), Magnum T56, 12 Bolt with 3.7 gears
Tubbed, Detroit Speed Front Subframe & Quadralink.
Wheels (currently ) Forgeline GZ3, 18 x 10 front wearing 275/35 tyres, 18 x 12 back, wearing 325/30 tyres.
Colour, tba (not red).

I have commissioned Ben Hermance to do a design rendering, http://www.hermancedesign.com/, will post once happy with it

I heard from Bonnevile Engineering today that DSE suspension and LS3 engine was all OK to use

The car arrived at bodyworks on Saturday

46916

46917

46918

46919

And in a well timed arrival, the new body panels arrived today (thanks Classic Custom Imports), quarter panels, inner wheelhouse, cowl vent panel, trunk, floor pan patch panels & DSE Mini Tubs. All body panels are AMD, quality looks very good, now for the fit test.

46920

46921

[68LS1]

Purchased car disassembled. Had been torn down and media blasted. At least this way I know what I am getting, and with what I am planning there wouldn't have been much left of a nice car anyway.
Car had supposedly lived its life in Fresno. Underneath was very solid
Major rust area was cowl area, there are some other small rust areas, lower tulip panel and pinholes in front floor plans near toe board. Assume had a leaky windscreen
Quarter panels are being replaced due to some previous butchery.

46922

46923

46924

46925

[Flash68]

Oh yeah getting after it! :superhack:

:bigun2:

[tubbed69]

looks like a pretty solid car to start with,on the east coast we would love to have cars that nice to start with,good luck

[68LS1]

Oh yeah getting after it! :superhack:

:bigun2:

You betcha, hoping to bring it to USA for 2017 Power Tour.

[68LS1]

looks like a pretty solid car to start with,on the east coast we would love to have cars that nice to start with,good luck

Thanks

[glassman]

Is this one a left hand drive? looks like it based on the firewall....

[68LS1]

Is this one a left hand drive? looks like it based on the firewall....

Yes, left hand drive and staying that way

[glassman]

Very nice, i will be looking forward to watching this one come together as well...as you can tell i love 2nd gen's but love the 1st gen's just as much. Pretty much a Camaro guy, who loves Mustang's too, well, pretty much a car guy...

[68LS1]

OK, so we lost a few posts here, thanks to everyone for their previous input

Had renderings done by Ben Hermance

Round 1
Brushed Bumpers
47534

Dark Bumpers
47535

Revision 1 - slightly darker body colour & raised a bit, to actual height
47536
47537

[68LS1]

Round 2 - Including rear concepts

Brushed Bumper - with dark grille surround
47538

Dark Bumpers
47539

Ben added a colour coded bumper version
47540

I had Ben do a revision to Brushed Bumper, adding dark tail panel & different exhaust exit treatment

47542

[68LS1]

After much feedback, all very positive, I decided to move forward with Concept 1A, much as I liked them all I felt this was nicer balance. I really liked black bar front, not so much back, opposite for color coded version (and Greg Weld liked it best :D ). But I will seriously consider doing 3 different sets of bumpers to trial on car when the time comes.

Had Ben do another update, put Grip Rebel rims on Concept 1, pulled Z28 stripes back to factory position, moved vents forward, color coded door handles, so this is now "final" rendering.

47543

Ben has been great to work with, highly recommend him to anyone thinking of getting a rendering done

[glassman]

I like the way the hood looks better this way. I like the vents going closer to the nose and the factory stripes look better not so far up in the nose imo. Looks great.

And i'm also with you on the rear bumpers, i'm leaning towards colored, but the jury's still out....going be a fun build to watch. 68's 69's and 70's are my favorite F body's

[68LS1]

The journey begins. Rusty cowl out, front floor plans out. Started on removing quarters.
Good news, no more ugly found. Once rusty bits are all removed, car will be media blasted again and then primed. Good opportunity to get to some unreachable places to give a protective coating

47859

47860

47861

47862

47863

Next container with parts due here May 21, but plenty to do till then

[syborg tt]

Round 2 - Including rear concepts

Dark Bumpers
47539
]

I love the exhaust on this one and when it moves around it won't rattle on the car.

Plus it looks bad ass

[WSSix]

Good luck! It's going to look great when finished.

[68LS1]

Well we did find some fugly. When they modded the quarters they also hacked in to the trunk drop offs. But as was commented they did such a good job with the fibreglass it was hard to tell until quarter panel was unpicked. The evidence of how much was hacked off

48244

Unfortunately I was unable to get AMD drop offs, the Taiwanese ones don't appear to fit great, but won't be seen

[68LS1]

The progress, drivers side floor pan in place

48245

48246

Outer Cowl Panel in place

48247

Upper Cowl Panel in place

48248

the before

48249

The outer cowl panel is not AMD, note how good the fit on passenger side with original outer cowl panel

48250

verses how poor the non original outer cowl panel fits to upper cowl

48251

The shop is knocking over a few "paying" jobs and hope to get really stuck in to it next week

Rear quarter was trial fitted and appears to fit very well.

48252

Now trunk drop offs are here, can do quarters and wheel tubs, also decided to replace trunk floor, rather than repair a few rust holes.

[waynieZ]

I love the rendering! Its going to look great.

[LS7 Z/28]

That rendering is definitely sweet. I like that color a lot, good luck with it.

[68LS1]

I love the rendering! Its going to look great.

That rendering is definitely sweet. I like that color a lot, good luck with it.

Thanks Guys

[syborg tt]

I can't wait to see this one on the ground in primer.

Are you going to be hand making the scoops on the hood ?

[68LS1]

I can't wait to see this one on the ground in primer.

Are you going to be hand making the scoops on the hood ?

Me to :)

Bonnet Vents are an Anvil product, http://anvilauto.com/products/camaro-70-81/hood-vents.html

[syborg tt]

Me to :)

Bonnet Vents are an Anvil product, http://anvilauto.com/products/camaro-70-81/hood-vents.html

very cool

[68LS1]

Popped in take a look at the progress

Floor pans

From last week

48559

48560

Yesterday

48561

48562

[68LS1]

Cowl & Firewall

Last week

48563

48564

Yesterday

48565

48566

48567

48568

[68LS1]

And most of the cutting has been done on right hand side for tubs

Holes, hopefully wheel tubs next week:excited:

48569

48570

[WSSix]

Nice progress, Roger. You'll be in paint before too long.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

looking good!!!!!

[68LS1]

One tub in, quick photo for DSE tub v stock tub comparo

48663

What are the options for 335/30 18 tire with matching 265/35 18 for primarily street driven car?

[syborg tt]

What are the options for 335/30 18 tire with matching 265/35 18 for primarily street driven car?

BFG seems to be the go-to tire

[65_LS1_T56]

BFG seems to be the go-to tire

265 Rivals are not (quite) available yet. They were due out early spring but have been pushed back to July last I heard. I had a set on order and finally caved and went with Bridgestone RE11's in the front. Hopefully they will have them available soon.

[68LS1]

Well the boys did some construction work on the shop and built the Camaro it's own little room :thumbsup:

Right quarter now on permanently, left quarter and drop off removed, left mini tub in place. going to look like a car again very shortly.

QUADRALink, Moser 12bolt, Vaporworkz tank, Magnum T56, LS9 Clutch have all arrived :ups:

Subframe, Kore3 Z06 Brakes and some smaller parts on the water now, due here in next 2 weeks.

49516

49517

49518

49519

49520

[Rick D]

Looking nice Rodger, what qtrs did you use? I need to maybe change (haven't decided yet) one of my, I just build a new lower section.

[68LS1]

Looking nice Rodger, what qtrs did you use? I need to maybe change (haven't decided yet) one of my, I just build a new lower section.

We used AMD quarters, panel beater was very happy with the fit.

All the AMD stuff has been a good fit. The only bits, outer cowl & trunk drop offs, that I couldn't get from AMD, had fit issues.

[Jon Clough]

Hey Roger,
Great progress! I have a 70 Camaro that needs all of the stuff you are going through too and have a mountain of parts. It is great to see a thread with progress, great photos, etc. Your comments about fitment are appreciated.
I have the DSE tubs, AME front and AME rear triangulated 4-bar to do too. My plan is to pull off the quarters, put in the DSE mini's, put in the new quarters, put in the new tailpan then tackle the rear subframe and floor rebuilt after the body work. Let me know what you think of the order of things based upon your experiences.
Best of luck with it !!

[Flash68]

hey Roger -- what's up man! :hello:

:cheers:

[68LS1]

Hey Roger,
Great progress! I have a 70 Camaro that needs all of the stuff you are going through too and have a mountain of parts. It is great to see a thread with progress, great photos, etc. Your comments about fitment are appreciated.
I have the DSE tubs, AME front and AME rear triangulated 4-bar to do too. My plan is to pull off the quarters, put in the DSE mini's, put in the new quarters, put in the new tailpan then tackle the rear subframe and floor rebuilt after the body work. Let me know what you think of the order of things based upon your experiences.
Best of luck with it !!

Tailpan was very fiddly. If yours can be repaired I would go that way. If not make sure it is identical to the one you remove, check where fuel tank filler joins and outer trunk floor brackets.

We did it one side at a time, just felt it would maintain better rigidity and we had the other side for reference.

hey Roger -- what's up man! :hello:

:cheers:

Hi Dave, just so busy, how you doing? Send me an email with any news.
Camaro needed some parts that we thought could be used, and has been a little slower than hoped for. Pulled engine down for refresh but found some things we didn't like. New pistons, cam and some other pieces, you know the drill.
No USA/SEMA trip at this stage :(. Two large work projects were delayed from October 1 to November 1 launch.
Trying to spend time at the cabin on the river, just back from 4 night stay which was super nice.

[68LS1]

Well some progress. Body shell has all panels replaced and final welded, and is sprayed in epoxy primer.
DSE subframe also now fitted

53038

53039

53040

53041

53042

53043

Hopefully all front panels and doors will be installed, and it will go off for installation of, QUADRALink, diff, engine, transmission, subframe connectors. This will conclude required cutting to floor.
Then will continue with assembly for mock up.

Also was able to collect wheels from shipping company yesterday.
Forgeline RB3
Front - 18 x 9.5" with 5.875" backspace
Rear - 18 x 12" with 8" backspace
Satin black Centre with brushed hoop

53044
53045

Rear tires due here Tuesday, so will get fitted and will be ready for test fitting with diff.

Still need to get radiator, decide on front drive and intake.

[Che70velle]

You've been a busy boy! Looks great. Love what your doing here. My next project will be a 70' camaro. Keep the pics coming.

[WSSix]

Looking good, Roger!

[Flash68]

Nice to see some more progress, Rog!

What tires did you end up ordering?

[68LS1]

Nice to see some more progress, Rog!

What tires did you end up ordering?

Thanks Dave

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. 255/35 18 & 335/30 18

[68LS1]

After deciding to change shops on this build, the opportunity came up to have it done by one of our premier builders down here. Clearly i was excited as these guys would be my first choice, but were 4 hours away and in another state. When we spoke they were just about to move shop in to new bigger better premises. This was 2 hours closer to me and in same state :), but this meant a short term in storage, I was happy to wait.

Here are first round of pics, less than 5 days after arrival.

57509

57510

57511

57512

57513

[glassman]

Very nice. Hope to see some progress soon!!

[Flash68]

Rog, that is awesome! Congrats.

I know very well what it's like for the timing to work out when a great shop/builder aligns with your own.

:cheers:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

so the hospital staff doesn't mind welding in the OR?

[Flash68]

so the hospital staff doesn't mind welding in the OR?

:lmao:

[cjsgarage]

The car looks so good sitting on that table!

[68LS1]

Very nice. Hope to see some progress soon!!

Thanks, me too :)

[68LS1]

Rog, that is awesome! Congrats.

I know very well what it's like for the timing to work out when a great shop/builder aligns with your own.

:cheers:

Hi Dave,hope you are well. Feeling good now it is back on path, in very good hands. Just gotta hope the Aussie peso improves against USD

[68LS1]

so the hospital staff doesn't mind welding in the OR?

The surgeon's a car bloke :D

Vince have you installed any Rain Gear wiper systems?

Wondering if possible to modify 1st Gen to use on 2nd Gen?

[68LS1]

The car looks so good sitting on that table!

thanks, hopefully will really look like a car soon

[Southrod]

Hmm wonder whos building it.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

The surgeon's a car bloke :D

Vince have you installed any Rain Gear wiper systems?

Wondering if possible to modify 1st Gen to use on 2nd Gen?

I have on Chevelles and 1st gens.

The bracket mounts to the wiper mount holes. Anything is possible with a good fabrication guy.

[68LS1]

Hmm wonder whos building it.

I Anything is possible with a good fabrication guy.

I have one of them :)

If you happen to have an install on a 1st gen to do and a 2nd gen in the shop, could you please see how close it is, thanks

[Juicypop]

so sick!

[Centerforce]

We're excited to see the progress from the new builders! That shop looks spotless!

[Musclerodz]

Hmm wonder whos building it.

I have been following your instagram and your new shop is incredible.

[68LS1]

Some pics of progress, new full floor installed with new frame rails and parcel shelf.
58229

58231

58230

58238

58232

58233

58234

58235

58236

58237

[ZMAN1969]

Roger, nice build wish these cars stayed stateside but I guess the internet is the only way any of us will ever see the cars from down under. I met a guy on HRPT in Dallas one year with a RH drive GT? my first thought was it looked like a Mad-Max car -mustang frt end falcon rear. We met on the Friday before and we invited him to Hooters (had to show some hospitality right?) with us as I figured he didn't know anyone my buddy's got a ride in his car but I didn't :shakehead: still was cool seeing that! could you post up a full size version of your avatar? :unibrow:

[68LS1]

Roger, nice build wish these cars stayed stateside but I guess the internet is the only way any of us will ever see the cars from down under. I met a guy on HRPT in Dallas one year with a RH drive GT? my first thought was it looked like a Mad-Max car -mustang frt end falcon rear. We met on the Friday before and we invited him to Hooters (had to show some hospitality right?) with us as I figured he didn't know anyone my buddy's got a ride in his car but I didn't :shakehead: still was cool seeing that! could you post up a full size version of your avatar? :unibrow:

This car was just a shell, nothing special, and had a bit of good ole USA rust :). There is a fair chance this one will end up back in US, as I hope to do HRPT in it.

Here is a pic as per request, for looking after a fellow Aussie. :cheers:

58254

58255

[ZMAN1969]

Much better in fun size!
Thanks!
If you can pull HRPT of I recommend it Been doing them since 99
that's what these cars are all about- road trip! the Power Tour used to be pretty well coast to coast but they experimented back in '03? when they did the "deep south tour? and they saw A LOT more participation and GM then decided that they would make the drive venue to venue shorter. the last few years they had been taking us to small venues that were not well equipped to let 3-4,000 cars in or out quickly :( and I don't care to sit in traffic for and hour plus when you get to the venue just to get in and park last year Family events didnt do it some other company planned it and I only did 3 stops so the jury is still out for me. It's been a lot of fun over the years watching it grow in size and riding along but I wanna see other places and less corn (meaning the mid west) I am excited about Texas having 3 stops (except Dallas WTH? Traders village?? a flea market?) anyway the drives are fun just not so much the venues IMO

[pro66tour]

:drool: what he said...

[SSChef]

Wow, I can't believe that's the same car! Incredible work. Looks great.

[glassman]

I have one of them :)

If you happen to have an install on a 1st gen to do and a 2nd gen in the shop, could you please see how close it is, thanks

Raingear told me not enough room in the 2nd gen for any one of their systems. I'm down for modifying one at my risk....So you guinea pig a 1st gen and i'll guinea pig a Chevelle one LOL....

[68LS1]

Raingear told me not enough room in the 2nd gen for any one of their systems. I'm down for modifying one at my risk....So you guinea pig a 1st gen and i'll guinea pig a Chevelle one LOL....

i might wait to see how you go with Chevelle one :thankyou:

[68LS1]

Progress pics of firewall

58544

58545

58546

58547

58548

[68LS1]

Engine now in position, waiting on headers and front drive to arrive

58549

58550

58551

[Centerforce]

Those throttle bodies are perfect! We always loved the look of them.

[68LS1]

Some more update pics, really starting to look like a car. Think it will slow down while I wait for parts. Have a Hooker crossmember on order since April, available date then was may 4, now stating June 6, moving out every day. Need that so can finalize floor and do exhaust etc.

58604

58605

58606

58607

58608

58609

[Jimbo1367]

WOW. Looking real good. Any chance getting a better pic showing the A/C unit straight on? Something showing the mounting locations/methods too.

I am note happy with mine and I am looking for better ideas.

Thanks,
Jim

[Flash68]

Coming along nicely Rodger! Looks great man.

[68LS1]

WOW. Looking real good. Any chance getting a better pic showing the A/C unit straight on? Something showing the mounting locations/methods too.

I am note happy with mine and I am looking for better ideas.

Thanks,
Jim

Thanks, Here is a straight on shot and one from left, I'll try and get some close ups of mounting

58612

58613

[68LS1]

Coming along nicely Rodger! Looks great man.

Thanks Dave

[monza]

Seriously badass! Nice work.

[68LS1]

WOW. Looking real good. Any chance getting a better pic showing the A/C unit straight on? Something showing the mounting locations/methods too.

I am note happy with mine and I am looking for better ideas.

Thanks,
Jim

Sorry for the delay, not so good photos, hope they help


58777

58778

58779

58780

[68LS1]

Just some pics of QuadraLink install. Quite a bit more work than I had expected. Also not a lot of shock travel at this height

58781

58782

58783

58784

[68LS1]

Coming along nicely Rodger! Looks great man.

Thanks Gregg :)

[Spiffav8]

Looks super clean!

Keep up the good work. :cheers:

[syborg tt]

Roger the car looks great.

I can't believe how much progress you have made since I last looked at this thread. I really need to get on the site more often.

[68LS1]

Looks super clean!

Keep up the good work. :cheers:

Thanks

Roger the car looks great.

I can't believe how much progress you have made since I last looked at this thread. I really need to get on the site more often.

Thanks, if we ever get this bl@@dy Hooker Transmission Crossmember, then watch us go. Flush glass is getting close to available also. :)

The Hooker headers fitted so well, so figured we would wait, but has gone from May 4 to now June 24. Two calls I made to to Hooker late May, confirmed shipping date at June 6 and then June 8. :mad:

[fesler]

We will have flush mount glass for this car very soon.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73/FeslerBuilt/2nd%20Gen%20Camaro%20FLUSH%20GLASS/IMG_5716_zpsgi6zyklb.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/FeslerBuilt/media/2nd%20Gen%20Camaro%20FLUSH%20GLASS/IMG_5716_zpsgi6zyklb.jpg.html)

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj73/FeslerBuilt/2nd%20Gen%20Camaro%20FLUSH%20GLASS/IMG_5714_zpsgvpnvm35.jpg (http://s269.photobucket.com/user/FeslerBuilt/media/2nd%20Gen%20Camaro%20FLUSH%20GLASS/IMG_5714_zpsgvpnvm35.jpg.html)

[68LS1]

We will have flush mount glass for this car very soon.


Yes please :)

Rear bumper bar fitted, gaps tightened. Boot also on and gapped. I do love the rear on these :)

58951

58952

58953

58954

58955

[waynieZ]

The bumper and gaps look nice and tight! Nice job.

[Jimbo1367]

The bumper and gaps look nice and tight! Nice job.

Agreed. I really, really like it !!!:bump:

[68LS1]

Today's pic :)

58991

[SlowProgress]

Great photo !

[glassman]

Yep. Sic Pic!!

[Zoomin]

X3! Love it

[68LS1]

Today's update, on a roll now. Just hope parts start to arrive. Intake has now been converted to DBW.

Thanks for the kind words guys

59009

59010

59011

59012

59013

59014

59015

59016

[Zoomin]

Roger, that thing is awesome

[waynieZ]

Sweet'

[Jimbo1367]

68LS1,
Thanks for the AC mounting pics!

[68LS1]

Further update pics. Got a few bits and pieces this week, so hoping we can tie up floor, exhaust and start to run some lines.

Looking for someone to do some 3D Cad drawings of dash parts if anyone has suggestions.

59069

59070

59071

[SBDave]

Car is looking awesome!

I might be able to help you with CAD...

Dave

[68LS1]

Pics for this week from Southern Rods
Had a text today advising will be doing second round of colour samples today.
Also container with front drive and accessories, parts from AMD including front bumpers and some parts from Classic Industries is due to dock tomorrow.

59249

59250

59251

59252

59253

59254

59255

59256

59257

59258

[68LS1]

59259

59260


Car is looking awesome!

I might be able to help you with CAD...

Dave

Thanks Dave and with the CAD drawing

[Flash68]

Wow man this is looking SMOKIN. :Tomcat:

[68LS1]

Mechanical work update
The infamously late crossmember is in, fit is good. Headers in, also fit very well. Tunnel hump done, and Raingear wiper system fitted (converted a 69 Camaro one)
Front drive and accessories. It is a Drive Junky set up (really nice), working with them to try and low mount A/C compressor.

59595

59596

59597

59598

59599

59600

59601

59602

[glassman]

that is looking real good!! wheres your wiper motor? under the left fender? Saaawheat!!!!

[Goosesdad]

Cowl, firewall, inner-fender and especially the wiper setup......simply awesome.

[grendel]

Very nice man.

[waynieZ]

Sweet setup, I love the look of the drive junky system. Nice update Roger.

[89 RS]

Great update, looking good!

[68LS1]

that is looking real good!! wheres your wiper motor? under the left fender? Saaawheat!!!!

Thanks

Under the dash, attached to actual wiper frame

[68LS1]

that is looking real good!! wheres your wiper motor? under the left fender? Saaawheat!!!!

Cowl, firewall, inner-fender and especially the wiper setup......simply awesome.

thanks

[68LS1]

Very nice man.

thanks

[68LS1]

Sweet setup, I love the look of the drive junky system. Nice update Roger.

Great update, looking good!

thanks guys (getting hang of multi quote)

[DKz Garage]

Looking real nice!

[Jimbo1367]

Updates? :confused59:

[68LS1]

Updates? :confused59:

Will be back on it soon, with delay with a product an then unable to make SEMA 2017, just wanted a break from it. Have some new parts and organizing some interior bits for it right now.

[Flash68]

Hey Roger! :hello:

[68LS1]

Hey Roger! :hello:

Hi Dave, :cheers:

It will be 5 years since V8 Supercars in Austin in a few weeks

[68LS1]

Our biggest modified car magazine did a story on the shop the 70 calls home

https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/inside-southern-rod-and-custom-shepparton?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2019_03_22_SM&utm_term=list_streetmachine_newsletter

and a couple of pics from the visit with Camaro


68640

68641

68642

68643

[68LS1]

Thought I had posted these, test fit of flush mount glass and a couple of trim bits

68644

68645

68646

68647

68648

[waynieZ]

Nice I like those interior panels.

[WSSix]

Congrats on the coverage, Roger!

[jdeliveryguy]

Car going to be awesome

[68LS1]

So awhile ago I sold my 70 Camaro project, I had wanted to do the Hot Rod power Tour, but with Covid and the passing of a friend that option was on hold for a long time. I had a want to do a Chev Blazer, so in discussion with owner of Southern Rods & Customs, he had a client that was interested in taking it on. It was an ideal time to sell it as the new owner then had option of paint and interior colours. Today I received pics of it painted. I still personally love it, I have included pic of original render. Cannot wait to see it finished.
79321

79322

79323

79324

79325

79326

79327

79328

79329

79330

[214Chevy]

Sweet color....

[camcojb]

I'm gonna need that paint color... :thankyou:

[WSSix]

That's a gorgeous color. I had wondered what happened to this project. I loved the original rendering and the work you had already done.

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Roger.

[ScotI]

I'm gonna need that paint color... :thankyou:

You're the first person I thought of when I saw the pics.... :lol:

[Jimbo1367]

That color IS sick.