LSA Powered 69 Camaro -"Lou's Change"

[protour73]

I (along with Marty and Rick) got to meet Lou and see the car at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals and it leaves one speechless. I noticed the immediate absence of fender struts and their solution on this car was quite amazing, very innovative!! The use of 3D printing parts on the car is so cutting edge.

Also got to meet Kevin and Kelle, a couple of real cool car people for sure!!

All of the folks that signed the trunklid is a VERY unique deal, GM design director, GM engineer, Stielow and Charley, and the previous owners....hard to top that one.

.....and you got Bob Lutz's autograph? super cool. I just finished reading his book "Car Guys vs Bean Counters". A car guy must read for a behind the scenes look at his time with GM from 2001-2010 as Vice Chairman of Product Development.

Great post Lou!!

[Lous69]

Originally Posted by protour73

I (along with Marty and Rick) got to meet Lou and see the car at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals and it leaves one speechless. I noticed the immediate absence of fender struts and their solution on this car was quite amazing, very innovative!! The use of 3D printing parts on the car is so cutting edge.

Also got to meet Kevin and Kelle, a couple of real cool car people for sure!!

All of the folks that signed the trunklid is a VERY unique deal, GM design director, GM engineer, Stielow and Charley, and the previous owners....hard to top that one.

.....and you got Bob Lutz's autograph? super cool. I just finished reading his book "Car Guys vs Bean Counters". A car guy must read for a behind the scenes look at his time with GM from 2001-2010 as Vice Chairman of Product Development.

Great post Lou!!

Thank you for the kind words Scott. I'm pretty sure the fender braces were Kevin's idea. From day one of the build, he was determined to find a new way to replace the traditional fender struts. The best solutions are usually the simplest ones. It's amazing how many people study those when the car is on display.

Bob Lutz is truly a car guy. He talks about cars as passionately as any of us do. It was awesome to listen to him in an informal setting and hear his perspective on things in the automotive world. He said he would like everyone to bring some cars to the hangar party next year. If I get invited to that one the car is going with me for sure!

Al Oppenheiser and Tom Peters are also true car guys through and through. They both have their own first Gen Camaros and speak as enthusiastically about their personal car projects as we do about ours. Al took pictures on his phone and sent them to his son right away. That was extremely flattering.

I suppose the bottom line is what we already knew. "Real" car guys are cool and fun to be around, no matter how successful they have been.

I believe there is a HUGE difference between people who work in the automotive field to make money and people who happen to make money pursuing their passion for cars.

[V8TV]

Good shot for a Friday - Lou's Change the chick magnet at MCACN:

[V8TV]

We wanted to run some big Forgeline wheels shod with Toyo Proxes R888 tires on the "Lou's Change" Camaro, but stock wheel tubs dictate the largest tire size on first generation Camaros. To gain more clearance, we installed a pair of Detroit Speed Deep Tubs while we had the body on the jig for repairs. When installed, these tubs retain a stock appearance, but they are significantly wider to accommodate wider wheels and tires to help put the power to the ground.

[tones2SS]

That is so wicked awesome!

[tmadden]

Great video.

[V8TV]

The quarter panels were hiding rust and previous crash damage "Lou's Change", so we replaced them with a pair of full quarter panels from Classic Industries. This video explains a few tips to replacing quarter panels successfully.

[V8TV]

In this chapter, the V8 Speed & Resto crew creates a custom hood for the 1969 Camaro called "Lou's Change" featuring a new carbon fiber insert from a 2013 Camaro ZL1. The hood reflects the Steinhauser Design rendering, incorporating new design elements into the original '69 shape for a fresh take on a classic design.

[efs69]

[Lous69]

I remember when we started the project how badly I wanted to retain the stock SS hood since I always liked that design so much.

Now, I wouldn't want any other hood design on this particular car more than what we ended up with.

It's always cool when people work together and leverage their various talents. Often, as in this case, obstacles and problems have a neat way of turning into new opportunities.