Project "Dirty Silver" 69 Camaro

[Cole]

Hey fellas, I have been a lurker for many years... I have enjoyed the passion and visions shown in this Project Updates section. It is truly amazing.

I use to be a drag/street race guy in my late teens to early 20's. I have owned a 88 Mustang GT w/ Nitrous, and a 94 Cobra full suspension, built 331 w/ a Vortech Supercharger and Nitrous. I hung it all up once the thing called "Family" bit me.

So things have changed, all three kids are here and with no plans of anymore its now time!

I searched high and low for 66-67 Chevelles, 63-70 Novas, 64-65 Falcons, 67-69 Camaros. Many highlights and many epic failures along the search. Then a buddy called and said there was a 69 Camaro on www. Norcal1320.com .Built 383, 12 bolt, older paint. Perfect timing as it was my 30th Birthday right around the corner. Perfect excuse, lol. There in January the journey began!!!

Sight unseen, it was in transit 3 days later and delivered to Vegas where it sat until the beginning of May. All the while I was planning a build sheet and how I could obtain it and stay on budget. WELL as we all know now and I was about to learn"Take that budget, times it by 2 and add 30%) Then the ball started rolling I met with Ron in Socal when I tried to buy his HRE wheels. There the friendship started and the my spreadsheet went out the window because lets face it, it was unrealistic to begin with.

I then narrowed down the suspension with Ron in Socal and Mike from Musclerodz. Full Ridetech Stage 2 setup w/ tru turn, DSE Minitubs and Solid Subframe bushings. Then some Hotchkis swaybars and bolt in subframe connectors. Kore3 was next on the list and the Z51 brake set up front and rear was my final choice. Since Ron's HRE's found a different home he decided to sell me his Forgeline WC3's to make up for it. LOL!!

Then the same buddy that found the 69 mentioned that another buddy in Hemet, California was interested in assisting in the build since I work way to much and have little free time.

That's where Josh from JEP Autoworks stepped in and drove to Vegas to finalize the project scope and trailered it back to its new home for the next few months. At JEP they will be installing all the suspension, mini tubs, narrowing of the rear, brakes, AC, Interior, Stereo system, paint(Dirty Silver) and body.




Here are a few pics, I will update as things change and progress is made.

[tubbed69]

good luck,sounds like a great start with a good plan

[Vegas69]

Sounds like a solid start, where do you plan to spend most of your time behind the wheel? What part of town do you reside? I think Ron tried to introduce us by email.

[waynieZ]

Welcome and you have a nice project going. Keep us posted.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by tubbed69

good luck,sounds like a great start with a good plan

Thank you! Your car is something else btw!

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Sounds like a solid start, where do you plan to spend most of your time behind the wheel? What part of town do you reside? I think Ron tried to introduce us by email.

Whats up Todd! Amazing car cant say enough about it. I have a feeling that the bug bite is going to grow but at this point it a cruiser with the occasional autox. I am a Henderson local as well off Horizon/95. Yeah I mentioned that live by me and we have causally met through Tyler.

Originally Posted by waynieZ

Welcome and you have a nice project going. Keep us posted.

Thanks WaynieZ. Ill keep them coming.

[Vegas69]

I'll have to stop by when you get the car back and take a peak.

[214Chevy]

Cole, welcome to the site bro. Sounds like you're started in the right direction with the car. I'll be watching it come together. Also, as far as hooking up with Ron, you couldn't have befriended a cooler guy. Ron has helped me out on a many of occassions. And that is why this is a great site...it's a family and a great bunch of guys with a plethora of car knowledge.

[waynieZ]

Cole your lucky Todds right there for you to pick his brains.

[Ron in SoCal]

About time dude...

So I met Cole a few months back and we've had a few conversations since. Hard worker, young entreprenuer, and a family man. Very likeable guy.

After penciling out his plans on a napkin (read: tossing the budget out the window), Mike was right there to help supply the parts. Intent for the car is wheels and stance, make it handle, stop and look good. Wholesale drivetrain mods can be phase two.

I got a chance to see the car last weekend. Josh is a competent wrench and Cole's in good hands I think. Josh also has a fresh take on things we don't normally see in this segment of the market, like lightweight/less expensive/easy retrofit power windows. Cole can be the guinea pig on that one...

The car was taped up but from what I did see looks very solid. Oh, and BTW Cole ---

[mrr1999]

Hey Cole, I work roughly 5 min away from your area. I'm knee deep on my 69 build...sooner or later, I'll actually start the build post for it. Let me know if you want to get together sometime.

...you too, Todd. I live in Southern Highlands. Maybe you can swing by sometime and help me to re-focus.