Project My First Car 68 Camaro
 

Well, I have decided to pull the trigger and finally start a build thread for my 68 Camaro. I bought this as my first car when I was 15 years old (1995). I remember it like it was yesterday going and having my dad test drive it and then he made me call back later that night and do all the negotiations for the price. Got it for 2800 dollars and could not have been happier. It is also a build to thank my dad first for getting me involved in cars since I was little. and second allowing a 15 year old kid buy a 68 camaro with all of my saved money. in his defense it was a 6cyl 3 speed car haha.

this is not how the car looked when I first brought it home but i can not find those pictures, it had stock hubcaps and steel wheels. But i Quickly changed that.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

I drove it around my yard until I got my official license then I got my temp plates and had it ready for the road

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

I drove it like that for a few years then swapped in a small block and 4 speed

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

Decorated for my HS senior prom
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

My older brother got a little jealous and picked himself up a chevelle

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Anyway after driving it hard for a few years as a kid, once in college it started showing the effects of being a daily driver in New England. That is when I parked it in my dads garage and started to tear it apart. THEN LIFE SET IN!!! College, Job, Marriage, House, baby 1, Bigger house, Baby 2. So there is sat for 10+ years

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Finally it was time to either work on it or sell it. My wife wanted me to fix it because she knows how much it has meant to me. also she was a little jelous old girlfriends got to ride in it and she hasn't haha. So I pulled it out of my dads garage and put it in my

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

well that is a quick background for my car, I have since began getting more done and will continue to update this thread in hopes it helps me actually get this thing DONE one day!!!

Paul,

What are your plans for it?

Great story and great pics! Keep em comin..

while my plans have changed so many times. I am trying to tone it down and make it realistic to my budget. I want a nice cruising car to enjoy with my family. Since some of my favorite child hood memories are ones going to car shows with my family, I hope that can be passed down to my two little girls.

I have a ridetech level 2 kit for suspension
Going with a stock LS3 480hp
Stock interior with Pro-Car seats
stock exterior just tighten up the gaps

basically just a nice driver for us to enjoy

Thank you, I will keep this updated for sure. trying to use it as some motivation!!!

Awesome!
 

I lobbied hard to get a pony car for my first, but mama-san killed that right away.

Can't wait to see what you end up with when done, and there is a plenty of eye-candy on here to keep you inspired

So the first thing I wanted to do was have the shell blasted and see just how bad things were. I had Tony at muscle car metal strip the car and replace what was needed, after having it blasted it was way more solid that I thought it was. The floors needed help the rockers were shot and the left hand quarter needed a patch, but the rest of the car was pretty solid. also had him minitub the car with the floors out of it.

before:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

After:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

man, that's sweet !! keep the pics coming :trophy-1302:

Tony does nice work. We had a member Phil that had his 69 Firebird done there it ended up being a nice car.
We'll keep you motivated we love pictures!

AWESOME! This is going to be fun to watch.

:popcorn2:

Looks great, I love that it's your first car. Very cool story, now don't take another 10 years to finish it :poke: :thumbsup:

Love the history, that's what makes it YOUR car ..... now get er done!

Looking good Paul! can't wait to see your build come to life. Love the history behind the car. Be sure to keep us updated.

off to a great start! Can't wait to see more :thumbsup:

Thank you all for the kind words and support. Also a big thanks to Paul at Dutchboys for helping me out with a clean subframe to start installing my ridetech suspension on

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

I put this down in my basement so I can stay warm while mocking everything up

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

great back story. good luck with the build!

I'll definitely be checking back in on this build.

Started taking some pictures of the parts I have been collecting over the past 10 years haha


NOS rear spoiler bought new from local chevy dealership years and years ago
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

NOS inner fenderwells found local at swap meet got a very good price on them
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

NOS FRONT FENDERS found these on craigslist again very good deal
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Gas Cap bought this when they first came out
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Marquez taillights, I really like the clean 67 lights better
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

GM TILT Column
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

wiring harness
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

This last pictures shows just how long I have been collecting for this build, This ex vendor actually still delivered on his parts. Stainless hardware kit
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Got a little work done today mounted the new hooker LS motor mounts. Still need to trim a portion of the clamshell but just giving it a test fit.

Right On
 

Lots of nice stuff going on this thing..can't wait to see where it goes!

some more past work

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D550/ry%3D400/

:ups: Thank you Dale! I just keep collecting parts, now on to choosing Brakes :headscratch:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

SWEET ! I love new parts.

Very cool. I'm in the same situation, about to finally get around to working on my first car (68 bird in my case). Also in MA.

Good luck and definitely subscribing.

-ray

These pictures are looking great. I am also working on my first car a 68 Camaro. For me, it has been a 41 year journey with lots of life in between. Yours looks like it is going great. Nice part selection.

Great starting point!
 

Looks like a solid foundation, and the grille turned out nicely!

I just subscribed. Really like first car stories. Those always seem to have the most memories. Cool to see you have Ridetech Tru Turn in the front. I went with that as well seems like a cool product. I have been thinking about using a clamshell front engine mount as well to keep vibration down. Whose mount is that ?
Keep up the good work !

Scott

awesome story. Cant wait to see it completed.

Hi Scott, Hooker recommends the Anchor industries 2292 mount. Some people have even opened them up and installed Poly inserts instead of the rubber.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ani-2292

It is projects like yours John and dozens of others on this site that keep me motivated!!! So thank you.

Thanks ! I just bookmarked and will compare the height to see if they work on my car. I think a soft mount will cut down on vibration, so I may give them a try. Again cool project !!

:ups:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a5...D720/ry%3D480/

Starting to shape up nicely Paul and great story. I'm sure theres a lot of guys on here who wish they still had their first car me included.

Keep it forever Paul. I still have mine and am reminded all the time that people wish they kept theirs.

William

Great project and story.. just curious why you have to cut/trim the clamshell mounts? I have the same setup and didnt trim anything?
looks great keep it up.

Thanks Steve, not sure that tiny bit makes any difference but it was in the instructions that hooker sent with my plates. page 4


http://documents.holley.com/199r10678rev3.pdf

Project is coming along nicely....... Keep the updates coming.

Sorry Paul I missed that, prob cause I havent installed my headers yet. You are correct on the trimming..
see your already helping me! lol.

Seats
 

Summit is having a pretty good sale on these seats so I had to pull the trigger, free shipping and 40 summit bucks off each seat.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sc...51ls/overview/

Nice! Plan to cover the rear seat or are you going to keep it stock? Looks like you could go either way assuming you have a black stock back seat.

Keep at it man!!

:captain: