69 Camaro Project - Dead Pool

[Ron in SoCal]

Final body prep and gaps. We spent a lot of time back and forth on what was 'good enough' as far as gaps and planes. Good thing it got done before I read about Tim's .00000005 tolerances or I'd be two steps back at this point....

[Track Junky]

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

[eddiep]

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.

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

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.

[Cris@JCG]

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

[Tom.A]

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

[daytonayellaz]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

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.







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!













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.

Nice start to a build/thread right guys? Poor Ron! My heart sank when the driver opened the door and I was able to get a look at the car! Although it wasnt my car, I think I felt just as bad as if it were mine. This is something I hope I never see again! Bad enough Rons car was destroyed....on top of that seeing that 62 corvette survivor car paint /rear body destroyed. YES... Original paint survivor corvette! Never will be original paint again! I can only imagine how this owner felt as well. On its way for a semi extended stay at the corvette museum. The museum had heard of the accident and rejected the car.....did not want it even dropped off there. For the most part, the rest of the cars/bikes just had smoke damage....The Caddy was right by the wheel that caught the trailer on fire and had a lot of fire retardent dust on it as well.

This is the story straight from the drivers mouth... " Driving along about 65-70 mph and a lady pulled up beside me motioning frantkly. Rolled my window down and she was screaming "FIRE, FIRE" I Looked in the mirror and saw smoke. Slammed on the brakes, jerked the rig off to the shoulder.

(Rons car was on the top in the very back of the trailer, All the straps tieing it down were broke. This is how the straps broke Im sure....his jerking the rig off the road and slamming on the brakes.... The Trailer has a air ride system that you can release the air from and it drops the trailer down to the ground lower to make loading/unlodaing the cars much easier. This system failed and allowed the trailer to drop down and rub on the tire until the friction caught the trailer on fire! Also when it failed....I guess it had something to do with the doors being able to be opened, driver could not open the doors to get inside the trailer for a few days.)

So he could only put the fire out from the outside of the trailer..... The hole burnt in the trailer floor was pretty big! So at this point..I get a phone call from the driver, with the above story. He cant get in the trailer to tell me whats going on with the car. So I had to call Ron and pass on the news....Not a phone call I wanted to make!! So we were left waiting for a few days until the air ride was fixed and the doors could be opened. Finally a phone call from the driver...saying " The car is not that bad, looks pretty good!" So with releif I call Ron and tell him. We both rest a little easier, but still wanting to see the car!

When he gets here and drops the door.... First thing I do was climb up on top and look the car over.... I was shocked at what I saw! Being very careful not to touch it! I knew right off there was going to be a BIG claim on the car.....on several cars!

Spent several weeks with the insurance adjuster here 3 or 4 times(nice guy, and gave Ron every penny he could up to the point of totaling the car) I didnt even touch the car once during this time....left every speck of dust, fire retardant etc. right where it was.

So...Yeah, Very rough start! Ron is a trooper though, always has a positive attitude and stays up beat.

Originally....I was suppose to install the DSE mini tubs, Quad link, and AME front clip, L92/TKO 600 Buff the car and send it back. The accident caused the car to go to a local Resto shop for more extensive metal work, as Ron described. Been a rough road for everyone on this one! Should have the car back in my posession soon and install motor/trans. Dial in the suspension a little better and get her home where she belongs! The plan has changed on the motor/trans, actually the plan changed on a lot of things. Ron keeps getting more ideas from the all you guys sweet cars! I think he is incorparating a little something from all of them..LOL!

You west coast guys better watch out! If Ron drives as good as he has been bragging your going to have some new competition to deal with

Your the man Ron!

[daytonayellaz]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

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 Daytonayellaz Travis - my main suspension fab guy, Team Prodigy, AME Matt, Tyler B, Musclerodz Mike, JCG Cris, 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.

Thanks for the kind words bro! You truly are one of my best friends. Its great to have a friend like you.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by daytonayellaz

You west coast guys better watch out! If Ron drives as good as he has been bragging your going to have some new competition to deal with

[Ron in SoCal]

Trav you left out the part about the phone call the driver had to make to the vette owner who ripped him a new one!

Originally Posted by daytonayellaz

Thanks for the kind words bro! You truly are one of my best friends. Its great to have a friend like you.

Same here Brother, same here!

Originally Posted by Flash68

^ Don't listen to this guy whoever he is...

More pics coming this weekend!

[Matt@BOS]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

^ Don't listen to this guy whoever he is...

More pics coming this weekend!

I know right. I never paid any attention to him because he had a 4" cowl hood and Ford stripes on his Camaro. Then he came out to El Toro and kicked all of our asses.

If it isn't too late you should adopt a set of those stripes. They might make you faster, Ron.