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69 Camaro Project - Dead Pool

Here goes…
I swear I’ve got OCD when it comes to motorsports: About 18 months ago I found Lat-G and PT.com and started poking around. I’ve been on both sites just about everyday since. The back story here is I’ve owned and built bikes, boats, a 70 Camaro in my teens and 68 later in life (I never shoulda sold that 68). Basically If it had a performance motor and could be customized, I was in. I found myself with no project and too much time on my hands, so I joined the sites and found all these beautiful builds and bunch of great people. So many killer builds, so much inspiration…

I started looking around on eBay and Craigs and met a good group of local Camaro guys but no real prospects to build on. To this day I still hunt there, just in case. Like I said, I’m kinda obsessive about this stuff.

Finally I found what I thought was a good eBay deal on a 68 and had it shipped home. Seller was a hot rod/ Camaro shop and it all looked good. Turns out it was more of a sheet metal project than I was sold or down for. That was my first lesson in how to truly assess a resto project. So the search continued. Months later I found a 69 in Denver that had some pretty good parts to go along with it. It was a painted roller and very straight so after going out there and inspecting it I had it shipped to the body shop.

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P1250004.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P1250003.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P1250002.jpg

The plan was to fab in the suspension/subframe connectors/mini-tubs, cut and buff and get her back home. Well during transport the truck had an airbag failure and small fire (!) and my car ended up on top of a mid-year ‘vette. Also in the trailer was a Lambo, a beautifully show restored Caddy, along w the ‘vette. Of course, I had the most damage! My beautifully gapped factory sheetmetal/NOS black painted car was now a whole new ball game. Every single body panel was dented or scratched!

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...Thread/091.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...Thread/110.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...Thread/111.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...Thread/106.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ash911/094.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ash911/117.jpg

It took about six weeks and I got every insurance penny I could for the repair without totaling the car (I didn’t want a salvage titled Camaro) and the work commenced. It’s been a long road, and very soon the car will come home as a fabbed, freshly painted roller.

The plans and process for the car are as follows:

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...ad/69636-1.jpg

Suspension: AME GT Sport clip, DSE Quadralink and subframe connectors, double adjustables all around. Working on a couple of tricks to improve on the design (more on that later).

Wheels, tires, brakes: Still deciding on wheels. Forgeline is top of mind. The car came w brand new HRE’s/KDW’s, but they’re too narrow. I have a set of R888s that I’ll mount on the new wheels (thanks Stielow) and Baer stoppers all around. Manual brakes, definately.

Body mods: Modified drip rails, flush glass, Anvil, Marquez and Vision goodies.

Drivetrain: LS3 w a hot cam and CNC heads for phase one. Ol’ buddy Brad @ QMP will make it go like he always does. Close ration T56 magnum to go w my narrowed Moser 9”, 3.70 gears. Mcleod RST twin disk will get the power to the pavement inside a Quicktime SFI bell.

After the car gets home, maybe try and talk Carl into wrenching a bit and testing his stuff on my car. I’ll then bring the car home to button everything up, add fluids, wire and fire it. I’m looking forward to that day, video camera in hand. After that I’ll finish the interior and start tuning the chassis. The goal is to beat the crap out of it.

I’m so, so thankful for all friendships I’ve made and technical assistance gained from people on and off this site. These people just take my calls and help whenever they can! Guys like , AME Matt, Tyler B, Musclerodz Mike, Talent Motorsports, Vegas Todd, Killer Fernando, Dave-o 68, MSA Matt 69, Luke, Mr Bad Penny and many others. Y’all are probably sick of my calls but I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to help me through this journey. I’m by far no pro, and it really takes a team to get through a PT design and build.

I’ll try to update this thread as I go, and look forward to any feedback or ideas you have!

First thing we did was tear down the car and put it up on the rotisserie. What we found were fiberglass patches everywhere covering holes in the floor and firewall (surprise!) so we sourced a new one piece floor and DSE fill plate and put it in.

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...9Camaro034.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...9Camaro014.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...9Camaro005.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...9Camaro011.jpg

Wow, with a begining like that, this is sure to be a wild ride!
Looking forward to following this build.

Good luck with everything.

Hey Ron Its bout time :D Looking goody buddy :cheers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forgeline 1 (Post 339963)

Wow, with a begining like that, this is sure to be a wild ride!
Looking forward to following this build.

Good luck with everything.

Thanks Scott! Newest Forgeline customer checking in...:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhkustoms (Post 339966)

Hey Ron Its bout time :D Looking goody buddy :cheers:

I know Bro! Thanks for the push...(and all the help!) :hail:

:wow:
THAT IS A ROUGH START TO ENTER BACK INTO THE CAR HOBBY..
LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE IT ALL UNDER CONTROL NOW :thumbsup:

Tom

We mocked up sheet metal a bunch of times. That Endura bumper's a biotch. Props to Ragtop Rich for keeping me going on it. I still might dump it before this journey's over...

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_1513.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_1514.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_1475.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P3040055.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by radrambler (Post 339970)

:wow:
THAT IS A ROUGH START TO ENTER BACK INTO THE CAR HOBBY..
LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE IT ALL UNDER CONTROL NOW :thumbsup:

Tom

Thanks Tom! I know you know all about that stuff! :unibrow:

I was wondering when you were going to post some pic's........:thumbsup:

^ Thanks Gae! Shoulda put you down on the good guy/tech team in the first post...:thumbsup:

(you already knew it though)

Last update for now - final primer...

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P3230040.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/P3230041.jpg

And that’s where we are today. Next step while on the roto for a little Raptor treatment, final blocking, and then into the paint booth: engine bay, jams, etc., and color. With any luck I’ll have her home and get cracking w Cris in the next 30 days…

Ron,Very,Very nice.Please keep posting.:thumbsup: Scott M.

Thanks for the posts Ron, the project is looking really good. :thumbsup:

Yeah Ron about time! :thumbsup:

Love the rendering and parts list. Don't make it too nice so you can beat the living snot out of it on the tracks. :lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolwelder62 (Post 340017)

Ron,Very,Very nice.Please keep posting.:thumbsup: Scott M.

Thanks Scott. Always the gentleman...!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rybar (Post 340023)

Thanks for the posts Ron, the project is looking really good. :thumbsup:

Appreciate it Ry. You set the bar pretty high yourself...:hail:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash68 (Post 340034)

Yeah Ron about time! :thumbsup:

Love the rendering and parts list. Don't make it too nice so you can beat the living snot out of it on the tracks. :lol:

Yeah Dave, it is! I put the bold letters in the first post just so you and Todd don't mistake my intentions....:lol:

Very good Ron. Keep up the great work.:thumbsup:

Looks like your off to a good start :thumbsup:

Oy Yeah, that rendering is sweet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdushane (Post 340048)

Looks like your off to a good start :thumbsup:

Oy Yeah, that rendering is sweet!

Thx Chris. Recognize those door handles in the render? :yes:

Fuuny thing about renderings - good artists make 'em look real good (and Mascoli's good)! In reality, the stance will be closer to yours - you nailed it Bro - and the wheels look a little bigger than 18s, which really add to the finished product.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tones2SS (Post 340047)

Very good Ron. Keep up the great work.:thumbsup:

Always a positive comment Tones...:cheers:

Rough start...two times. Way to hang in there and not get so discouraged that it made you give up on your vision. Looks like its going to be a great car.:thumbsup:

Hate the name, rendering, and the car is destined to be a slow poke. Driver probably sucks too. :unibrow:

Someone else with HRE 540R wheels! Nothing better in my book. They are a 3 piece wheel, so you can get new inner hoops pretty easily if you want to widen your existing rear wheels. Forgelines aren't a bad way to go either, though. :unibrow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal (Post 339955)

Wheels, tires, brakes: Still deciding on wheels. Forgeline is top of mind. The car came w brand new HRE’s/KDW’s, but they’re too narrow.

Off to a good start Ron! Looking forward to working on your ride..

Looks good :thumbsup: That is a tough start. I am sure the driver hated making that call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentfab (Post 340076)

Looking good

Rockstar gettin Bent, Easyriders show circa 2007....:lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MODO Innovations (Post 340088)

Rough start...two times. Way to hang in there and not get so discouraged that it made you give up on your vision. Looks like its going to be a great car.:thumbsup:

Hey Shannon, Thx! I'm not a quitter, but I've not hit the wall yet either...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas69 (Post 340089)

Hate the name, rendering, and the car is destined to be a slow poke. Driver probably sucks too. :unibrow:

Haha...you know I thought of you when I named it. Car'll be fast, driver....we'll see. :unibrow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiep (Post 340094)

Thanks Man. Really can't beat HREs. Just ask James! Only problem is they charge double for rehoops - inners and outters + labor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo (Post 340099)

Off to a good start Ron! Looking forward to working on your ride..

You know we're gonna have some fun Cris! :thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom_a (Post 340107)

Looks good :thumbsup: That is a tough start. I am sure the driver hated making that call.

So true Tom. It was like four days late and I'm calling w no response. He finally did the right thing, ate crow turned it over to his ins company. I heard the Corvette and and Caddy owners took his head off. Travis could tell you more about that conversation....:willy:

About time Ron, sometimes bad things happen for good reasons. Now you know EXACTLY what you got, a solid car.

THERE IT IS! Progress so far is excellent. Body looks awesome :thumbsup: You may to take a driving course so you don't embarrass yourself :lol:

Homecoming will be sweet :cheers:

Keep 'em comin'

Hey Ron,

I just read your thread from the begining, Holy shnt, when you saw that thing roll off the hauler you must have wanted to puke :wow: Thats crazy, youv'e come a long way, awesome project you have going. Great parts selection. Im glad the endura bumper is working out, once its painted it will look great. Looking forward to seeing the progress:thumbsup:

Rich

Looks grerat Ron! Thanks for posting the pics. Been seeing your avatar for sometime and wanting to see more. Looks like a great buiild and you have some great people giving you guidance!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musclerodz (Post 340119)

About time Ron, sometimes bad things happen for good reasons. Now you know EXACTLY what you got, a solid car.

So true Mike. Thanks for keeping me straight...

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer67 (Post 340124)

THERE IT IS! Progress so far is excellent. Body looks awesome :thumbsup: You may to take a driving course so you don't embarrass yourself :lol:

Homecoming will be sweet :cheers:

Keep 'em comin'

I won't embarass myself; you might embarass me though...:lol: Thx for the props Bro!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ragtp (Post 340128)

Thx Rich! It was a rollercoaster no doubt, but in the end it's just a material thing. I'll make sure that's the last hiccup before it hits the road. Oh, and I put NOS back on except for the lower valence and inner fenders. That bumper taught me the meaning of the word 'BFH'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricochet (Post 340148)

Looks grerat Ron! Thanks for posting the pics. Been seeing your avatar for sometime and wanting to see more. Looks like a great buiild and you have some great people giving you guidance!!

That's what this site is all about Brent. Not just help and opinions, but meeting good people and making really good friends. :thumbsup:

hey ther Ron looking good love that carbon fiber decklid & hood man that thing is going to be killer.

keep it up:cheers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal (Post 340113)

Rockstar gettin Bent, Easyriders show circa 2007....:lol:

Really Ron... you had to put that up

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankv11 (Post 340162)

hey ther Ron looking good love that carbon fiber decklid & hood man that thing is going to be killer.

keep it up:cheers:

Thx Frank!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentfab (Post 340165)

Really Ron... you had to put that up

Dude, it's a great pic, you were all young and hardcore! :lol: I think the date is wrong though. Wasn't that closer to 04?

forgot to mention Marquez has a fix for that endura bumper problem

I know. Thinking hard about that one.

Wouldn't that get destroyed if I bumped Fernando on the road course? :unibrow: