1968 Camaro Convertible from Down Under
 

Hi All

20 years in the making. Starting to look like a car at last, big box of goodies arrived today, :) including roof, ATS spindles, grill, chrome trim etc. Should be able to make a big push forward in the New Year.

LS1, 6 speed, 12 bolt. C5 brakes etc.

cheers Roger

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

Looks great, Roger. Keep us up to speed. :cheers:

Like Tony noted, a right hand drive 68 Camaro is cool, not something that normaly see.

Steering Conversion
 

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

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

Update
 

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, :) .

Thats a nice looking project you have there.

Update, at the trimmers
 

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

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.

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

What seats are those?

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

Procar Rally, headrests still need to go back on.

cheers

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

Fantastic build!! Looks great!!:cheers:

You got that right :thumbsup:

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

Some pics from today
 

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.

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

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

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

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

Another Step Closer
 

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

The interior looks great Rodger.:thumbsup:

Took it for a drive
 

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

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

very nice :thumbsup:

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

Nice Camaro Roger!

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

:cheers:

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

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

: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

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

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

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

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

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

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/mozzie7...7627383043651/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mozzie7...7627205728729/