1969 Camaro RS.R - a new project from the OLC Team
 

Well since that cat is out of the bag on this one I figured I might as well start a build thread – although it’s a bit early and the real “building” is just getting ready to start.

More than anything I guess this is an opportunity to introduce you to my new ’69 Camaro project that I am calling the Camaro RS.R – the name is in large part a homage to the light weight track oriented Porsche’s that have dominated road courses since their inception but more than anything the .R stands for something a little bit different (and repetitive) – Rally. Hopefully we can capture the spirit of both and in the end meet our goal of competing in the Targa Newfoundland Rally next fall.

I first started looking at this particular car in the summer of 2009…

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...o%2009%201.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...o%2009%202.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...o%2009%203.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...o%2009%204.jpg

At the time I reluctantly passed since the OneLap car was starting to gain some steam and I wasn’t really sure what I needed to build at that point.

Fast forward a year and a half and the car is up for sale again and now, after a couple of pretty decent outings with the OPTIMA Batteries OneLapCamaro I had some clear direction and ideas for where I needed to go.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...202011%201.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...202011%202.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...202011%203.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...202011%204.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...202011%205.jpg

The car was looked to be in great shape and after talking to the owner some more and having Best of Show give it a once over I pulled the trigger and we’re on our way.

So what’s the plan?

In talking to David, Mary and some other people over the holidays my best description was a modern take on a Trans Am style car – hardly a new theme for (the collective) us but more or less correct. As we talked more I realized that it was heading towards more of a Porsche RSR theme – light weight, streetable but really track oriented, and just a bit different. This car will be 90% track focused and 10% street oriented; basically it will be street legal by necessity but not by choice.

Much like the OneLapCamaro I’m building it with one clear goal - to run the Targa Newfoundland. Because of the rules of the Targa it will end up in the “Open” class (since I can’t bring myself to build a Gen 1 SBC and keep the suspension stockish) which is really ideal since the foundation for the “Open” class more or less overlaps perfectly with the “Unlimited Class” tech rules for the Silver State Classic (did I say one clear goal… maybe two clear goals)… which would still leave it legal for the One Lap of America.

Building a car for the Targa requires some sacrifices that go against some more common PT themes and presents some unique challenges. Ground clearance is a huge issue – the Targa Newfoundland is, essentially, an open road rally race on a combination of public highways and city streets so there can be some very “unique” transitions. So don’t expect an in the weeds build here with stuff hanging low beneath the car. The exhaust will be high and even to some extent in the car, and will exit a bit… unconventionally.

Big tires front and back are a given. We’re going to work with SpeedTech and use one of their subframes and Three Link rear suspensions. We’ll push the envelope a bit on the front wheels and tires maybe running something like a 295 front and back…. maybe…. DSE mini-tubs are going in now, just in case we need more room in back… just in case…

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...maro%20BOS.jpg

Right now the car is at Best of Show where we’re waiting on some parts. Once they arrive they’ll swap out a rear quarter and install the mini-tubs. Then the roof comes off and the car will be shipped to Rodger at Ironworks in Bakersfield for a complete 12-point roll cage and some other “subtle” ironworks touches. The SpeedTech front and rear suspensions will go on and then we’ll work to fit a light weight clip on the car and shed whatever unneeded weight that we can.

A rendering is in the works and a few details will work themselves through as time passes but I thought it was time to let the cat out of the bag.

Hopefully this is half as fun as the OLC build (and aftermath) was.

Very awesome James. I'm sure it's going to be a great car and you can't go wrong with the guys you have behind you. Good luck!:thumbsup:
Keep us posted.

So that is what it looks like. Good to know.

Congrats on joining the exclusive group of 1969 Camaro owners. Your shirts are going to fit tighter in the chest and you will have new found confidence. :D

Sounds like a killer project! I'll be following along since I know you actually use and dial in your stuff. :thumbsup: One lap going down the road when it's done? and where do you find the time?

James Nice project. I'll be watching for the rendering. With the people you have involved with this project it should be Killer.
You tell um Todd !

I figured you knew what a 69 looked like already and besides, it should look different by the time it gets to you anyways.

Believe it it or not this is my first 1969... I've had a couple of dozen first and second gens over the last twenty years but never a 69. And just when I was getting used to saying "no, it's just a '67..." :)

I don't know what happens to the OLC... My hope is that next year we could field both cars in the OLoA but logistically I'm not sure how that would work.

Time? What time?

Looks like it's going to be a great project James, I'll keep my eyes on this one!:thumbsup:

Well The One Lap 69 Camaro got picked up from it's drop off point in Irvine about a month and a half ago. The Speedtech stuff suspension system had arrived and we are working to get everything installed. We installed some DSE mini tubs and subframe connectors in the car and are getting the subframe mounted to the body without the subframe bushings. This will lower the car just a bit more. We Installed a Fab 9 rear axle housing on to the Speedtech torque are set up. James is selecting the seats he wants to run so we can measure for the steering column and begin rollcage construction. Last I heard James was thinking about having us try to stuff a 315 tire under the front suspension. I'm not sure if that is still the case or now. Then once that front tire with is figured we will set up the rear axle to fit the same tire all around and have the same backspace to be able to only care one spare tire. UUUMMMM Smart guy huh? Well enough BS, Lets see some pictures.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011084.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011081.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011026.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011025.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011083.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011082.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...May2011024.jpg

Thats a nice list of parts. Glad to see it moving forward.

Cool project James. Targa Newfoundland is a cool race. Just don't plow it into any trees like Eric Bana did :D

Eric Bana's Beast and now this car have me thinking about and researching Targa races..... :thumbsup:

James, have you looked into the newer race "Targa Canada West"?

Lookin' good!

The Targa West has been talked about for a few years now but doesn't seem to be able to get the traction it needs to become a reality. I met two of the organizers at the Silver State last fall and they insisted that eventually it was going to happen but I have my doubts at this point.

On that note...

I have some good news and some bad news...

and some good news...

The good news is that the RS.R project is gaining some momentum and Rodger and the crew at Ironworks are making some great headway on the car. It should bea roller next week and then it's on to the more fab side of things.

The "bad news" is that I have had to rethink the project and there are going to be some changes - both in scope and purpose - for the car and the Targa Newfoundland is probably not in the cards.

The good news is that the car has a new nickname... OLC2

Mary and I had a couple of long 1 am talks about what it would take to make the '69 a top 10 OLOA contender and I think we have a pretty good plan now. Not much will change from the original plan but we will be a bit more aggressive with the ride height and might make allowances for a couple of creature comforts. We'll also, to a certain extent, build the car around tires. We (I) made a mistake with tires this year so next year (and the year after) we will be much more focused on tire choice and availability.

And for what it's worth... the '67 will be running the One Lap next year and the '69 will be 2013... once we gave the bugs sorted out. Unless some miracles happen... Then maybe... Who knows...

and for those paying attention, the car made it's magazine debut in this months Camaro Performers magazine... it's ironic that I have seen the car in pictures and in print but, for what it's worth, I haven't actually seen the cay myself yet... LOL

James, it just happened last weekend. Only 20 cars competed but that's a start I guess.

http://www.targacanadawest.com/

http://www.facebook.com/targa.canadawest

That wasn't the "Targa Canada West" as an equivalent to the Targa Newfoundland - that was the TTR - a one day event put on by the Targa Canada West organizers.

Not saying that there is anything wrong with that, just that it's different. We have a couple of very active ralley groups in Western Canada that have been running one day events and series, etc. for a long time and this event would fall, in my opinion, within that category. The challenge of events like the Targa Newfoundland and Tasmania (and the OLOA) is the shear scope of the competition and the ability for "non-dedicated" ralley cars to participate. IMHO

Ohh well that makes sense. I was wondering why it was so small and lacked much coverage. Well you're obviously on top of it! :lol:

Your talk of the Targa Newfoundland inspired me... and I need to keep doing more research! Thanks for the info. :lateral:

Just seeing if anyone is paying attention...

Ben did up this great rendering that captures some of the ideas that we're working on for the project

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1969%20R...2%20Teaser.jpg

Construction continues at Ironworks, working on fitting front wheels/tires now while we wait for roll cage materials and the fuel cell...

pretty evil looking James! :thumbsup:

As I'm sure you realize, getting peoples attention will be the least of your issues..

After all, it is a '69.

:lol:

I'm not 100% on the gill location/design but needless to say, you nailed the airdam/splitter. Looking forward to seeing it completed :thumbsup:

Well I will share some of the work we have been doing lately on this project.

We have the cowl vent cut out from under than dash and smoothing up the cowl vents from the car. This will give more interior room for the rollcage and steering dash bars.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011045.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011003.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011010.jpg

We got the brackets on the housing welded in place and custom made the bracket to land the torque arm on the Fab 9 axle housing.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011008.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011007.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011006.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011005.jpg

We are working on figuring out exactly what has to be done to put 315 tires all the way around. We are getting closer. Some mock up pics of tires we have around the shop.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011016.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...may2011012.jpg


We are waiting on the pedal assembly and getting the fuel cell set up figured on on the car also. Hopefully the Bullet will arrive from GM performance parts any day. :D :D

Nice work Rodger.
That front wheel is awful close!

Yeah that is the 7" Back space wheel. That seems to be just about the limit on backspace with an 18" wheel. With a brake rotor hat t would come out about a 1/4". But that is only a 275 tire and with in a 1/4" of the desired OD of the tire James would like to run.

I think the inner clearance is perfect - it's about bang on what we have with OLC1 and as long as nothing hits there's no issue. Besides, the only time (knock on wood) that we're at full lock is when we are in the parking lot.

We are pushing really hard to fit a 315/30-18 - same wheel & same tire - all around. I'm not sure if it's going to work quite the way we hope but we're going to try.

Rodger - any chance that you're going to teach your guys to weld one day? :D

Seriously - that's awesome work on the brackets and really shows the skill level that you have over at Ironworks right now. :thumbsup:

Thanks but let me see if we can do better. There is never good enough. Just so you know.

James love the car, and direction. I am bulding my car to compete in Targa West and Targa Tasmania, here in Australia. Can't wait to see the end product.

Regards
Greg

tires in front
 

WOW GUYS...

putting a 315 tire on the front
YA sould have called Scott Mock.COOLWELDER62. he has done this using his subframe..:thumbsup:
I will be watching this come together Rodger
goodluck
TOM

You're right - Scott is great people and his products and builds are top notch! Just because nobody has done it before doesn't mean that it can't or shouldn't be done. Mary and I were discussing it today and she says that she would be happy with a 295 tire (which we have now) but I know that if we don't at least try for the 315 we'll be second guessing ourselves forever.

:thumbsup: Scott M.

Nothing to see here.... move along....

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...une2011007.jpg

Ha...looks like nothing...other than tucking a 315! Killer James...:thumbsup:

I don't see nothin :wow: :wow: Looks sweet!!!!

Looks like nothing to see. lol:P
Great update James.

moving along:

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...uly2011001.jpg

I smell composite roof here......

Pass... my history with composite's is not great. We had removed the roof to replace it (see last months issue of Camaro Performers) and we're leaving it off for now to make the install of the roll cage easier.