Body Off Built Camaro Convertible Pro Touring ZL1 454 Ramjet V8 5 Speed 12 Bolt

SUMMARY

Start talking muscle cars and the first generation Camaro is almost always directly referenced. Offered in trim levels ranging from stripped economy champ to ferocious pavement prowler, Chevrolet produced F1s that were capable of satisfying nearly every buyer and every wallet. That legacy of universal appeal has continued throughout the last 50 years, giving fans and aficionados the parts and inspiration to create their own unique hot rods. Take this '69 resto-mod for example. Equipped with a coveted Ram Jet ZL1 and proven Tremec 5-speed during a detailed, ground-up build, this tastefully modified Chevy turns a traditionally appealing platform into an off-the-charts super star. If you're ready to hit the streets in a tough, head-turning muscle car, check out this stunning panther!

HISTORY/BODYWORK

Many of our readers might remember that, roughly ten years ago, Hot Rod Magazine executed a major build they lovingly nicknamed "Hot Rod 1". The idea was to celebrate both the longevity of the first generation Camaro and introduce Dynacorn International's all-new, all-steel 1969 Camaro body. What those astute fans might not remember is that Hot Rod Magazine also coordinated the creation of 69 continuation cars. This Chevy, continuation #2, was built by Jim Barber and the pros at Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists. Unlike the car it was modeled after, which wore a slick coat of brilliant Rally Green, this trick F-Body sports glossy DuPont Chroma Premier 2-stage that manifests as bright Honda Milano Red. That pigment is dressed in broad black stripes, which blend well with a power-operated top. Under those contrasting aesthetics, solid Dynacorn sheetmetal exhibits tight panel fitment. And presently, the car rolls as one high quality cruiser that's primed for Main Street!

An innately attractive road warrior that's been converted into one of the sickest rides around via choice customization, this red-hot drop-top is a picturesque classic that's sure to be the center of great memories. At the front of its body, a stainless-trimmed Rally Sport grille hangs a bold "HOT ROD 1" emblem above a painted bumper, modern parking lamps and a requisite D80 chin spoiler. At the top of that grille, a familiar cowl induction hood founds two more "HOT ROD 1" emblems in front of clean glass, clean stainless and a polished driver's mirror. At the sides of that hood, a sculpted profile floats traditional door handles above functional quarter scoops and fifth generation Corvette marker lamps. And at the back of the car, a traditional black valance centers factory taillights and a fourth "HOT ROD 1" emblem between a modified deck spoiler, a second painted bumper and polished exhaust tips.

ENGINE

Toss the glossy hood and you'll find a rare GM Performance Parts Ram Jet ZL1 that combines ultimate muscle with ultimate exclusivity! Twisting 510 horsepower into 493 lb./ft. of smooth torque, this brutal mill is 1 of only 200 all-aluminum 454s cast from GM's original ZL1 tooling. At the top of the port-injected engine, a familiar K&N air cone drops wind in to a big BBK throttle body. Behind that juice box, a coated ram jet intake feeds 110cc oval-port heads that are built with stainless valves and aluminum roller rockers. Beneath those heads, a standard roller cam caps an increased stroke that's provided by a forged steel crank, forged and shot peened rods, and forged aluminum pistons that are finished with plasma moly rings. At the back of that cam, a modern distributor bounces spark through a web of GM Performance Parts plug wires. Beneath those wires, coated shorty headers make quick work of spent gases. At the front of those headers, a March serpentine drive spins an Edelbrock water pump between a polished alternator, a coated AC compressor and a coated power steering pump. And in front of those ancillaries, a polished Be Cool radiator cycles coolant around large SPAL puller fans. Aesthetically, the smoothed and body-matched engine bay is very pleasing, mixing a custom firewall and polished hood supports with tubular fender braces and artfully hidden plumbing. And details like braided fluid lines, a polished SSBC master cylinder, a small SSBC brake pressure gauge and painted Proform valve covers are well planned and well executed.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

What good would a killer engine be without a tough drivetrain and solid chassis to back it up? Behind the car's thundering 454, a proven Tremec TKO500 5-speed twists torque to a custom Moser 12-bolt. That road-ready drivetrain hangs in a full Detroit Speed suspension, which sandwiches modern coil-over-shocks in a full suite of tubular control arms. That chassis rests thanks to "HOT ROD 1" branded calipers, which utilize an SSBC proportioning valve to clamp a quartet of slotted rotors. Modern power rack-and-pinion steering greatly improves drivability. Spent gases escape through aluminized exhaust, which traces dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers. At the corners, deep Budnik wheels twist 245/35ZR18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/As in front of 285/30ZR20 Continental radials. And everything, from the car's braided fluid lines to its stainless fuel tank, is on mark, set and ready to go.

INTERIOR

Naturally, this neo F1's comfortable interior is a masterful blend of both form and function. Traditional bench and bucket seats, the latter wearing "HOT ROD 1" branded headrests, are restoration-fresh attire that present clean and crisp. Between those seats, a factory console balances a chrome TKO shifter in monochromatic trim. Below that console, rich carpet stays mostly wear-free under color-keyed floor mats. At the front of that carpet, a familiar dash frames a modified instrument panel, which seats a multi-function Kenwood head unit and controls for Vintage Air conditioning beside bright Auto Meter Phantom telemetry. At the sides of that dash, factory door panels front a full assortment of power windows. In front of the driver, a half-wrapped Budnik steering wheel laps a tilting column. And behind the passengers, a restoration-fresh trunk seats a Kenwood CD changer between big Kenwood speakers and a Bazooka bass tube.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

With its exclusive motor, solid body and airy interior, this killer resto-mod is an attractive, well-done muscle car. And best of all, being a first generation Camaro, it'll always be one of the most in-demand classics on the planet. If you're in the market for some no excuses metal that features an unbeatable combination of style and performance, this Chevy is your kind of car!