1968 DSTRYR Camaro

[ADiCarlo]

** Due to my thread being deleted during the server change I'm starting over - sorry if it's repetitive lol**

So in June of last year after coming off of building and working on two import cars I decided it was time for another muscle car.

I finally got a decent job and had some income and seeing that I already had a 68 Fastback ten years ago I thought why not do a first gen camaro seeing it's on my bucket list of must own cars.

Originally I thought I'll do some quick fixes and get it up and running... man was I wrong. A couple hours on here and seeing coil over set ups, built LS motors, 335 in the back.. ITS LIKE A FAT KID IN A CANDY STORE.

*I would also like the thank the Vengeance Camaro as it haunted me wherever I went because of all the press*

Out went the window of a basic build and on came the onslaught.

So with a buddies trailer and some saved up cash I picked up a camaro shell that was relatively clean but was pretty much that - just a shell.

This is still in the sane days before ProTouring/Lat-G filled my head with none sense and convinced me that this was a good idea lol:

[ADiCarlo]

Once we got the car home we cleaned it out and really got a good look at it.

To start someone had attempted a half assed smooth firewall which would need to be fixed and the trunk pan and trunk lid brackets had been cut out.

Also a engine front mount had been welded to the subframe and it looks like some used square tube to notch the engine cross member. Well that's going to have to go.

Just an idea of what were working with.



Here's my buddy helping me tear down the car.



Once the car was stripped it was time to get the car blasted. While at the blaster I met a welder that was working on concourse cars and decided that out of everyone I spoke to he could do the best work, was passionate about muscle cars, and work with me on getting this done right.

So instead of a factory firewall we decided on doing a road race firewall out of 18 gauge steel and really tie it to the body for better rigidity.

Us dropping the car and parts off:



Once blasted while we faced the issues listed about the car was pretty clean with a solid floor pan. The only additional issues were a stress crack near the passenger rear window and the fender lips were a little rusted out.

Out of blasting:

[tubbed69]

sure looks like a nic e car to start with

[ADiCarlo]

Thanks ^

From the sandblaster it went to the welder where a new road race firewall was to be installed. Seeing we were going full custom we mounted Wilwood drop pedals and braced the wall the handle the force of extreme braking during track runs. A special cove was built into the firewall to give us more accessibility when working on the trans and additional metal was added for down bars.

Now for pictures:

How it started:



A special buck was made to hand shape the metal:



Some fitting



Mid progress bracing



Getting it in place



Notching the floor to allow better pedal movement



Pretty much on



Money shot

[tubbed69]

Very nice fab work on the firewall,looks great

[DETON8R]

I love build photos...

Someone buys a car, and it has PROBLEMS. A roached firewall and a cut up subframe.

So what is the answer?? Take what you got and make it automobile art.

AWESOME!!

Keep the pics coming!!

[ADiCarlo]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Coming along nicely! Those rear tires look great under the car.

I think so too! I can't wait till it's moving.

On that note, quick update my 275/35/18 Rival S tires finally shipped after waiting for 2 months. Can't wait to have the car on all 4 Forgelines on the ground.


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[ADiCarlo]

Guys what are you doing for side markers lights? I'm borderline about to shave mine, I can't find anything I like.


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[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by ADiCarlo

Guys what are you doing for side markers lights? I'm borderline about to shave mine, I can't find anything I like.


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When I registered my 67 the guy at the DMV that did the inspection said that they have had a few 68's come though with shaved side markers and that the car wouldn't pass inspection because of it. Thought that was kind of odd. Any restrictions where you live?

[3_z28camaro]

Originally Posted by ADiCarlo

Guys what are you doing for side markers lights? I'm borderline about to shave mine, I can't find anything I like.


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I shaved the rear marker lights on my '69 Camaro project and now beginning to regret that mainly for visibility reasons. I would look into and also be interested in the options listed by Vince above.