Project "Dorothy" daily driven 1969 Camaro

[Aschle]

I've been toying with my Camaro for many years now. I think that the only difference between my "build" and many others on these forums, is the fact that I drive the car daily, usually 5-600 miles a week. My knowledge and ability is less than stellar, but I'm trying.

I purchased the car from the original owners son, that kept it garaged after she passed away. Her name was Dorothy, so I felt it fitting to name the car in her honor. When I bought it, the car was all original, aside from tires, battery, some door/ side guards and a dash mat... My initial plans were to keep it original and enjoy it, no mods, no changes, just to enjoy it. Those plans lasted about a week.

I changed out the steering wheel, installed the seat track extenders (I'm 6'-4") and that's when the modifications began to snowball. I had another 69 Camaro that I had been planning to build for my toy, and this car was going to be my driver. I'm pretty sure we can all relate to the sidetracking of project cars. The changes started coming quickly, and before I knew it, the other 69 was sold, and the daily driver started getting better and better.

I'll try to keep on track and with a somewhat "in order" photo trail here...

Enjoy

Jason

[Aschle]

After the steering wheel swap, I decided to put a cowl hood on it, along with the rear spoiler. I had a set of 15x8 GM rally wheels, which ended up all being slightly out of round. That turned into using the wheels off of my 57 Chevy, so there were no vibrations while on the freeway. Custom wheels on a stock vehicle looks a little funny to me, so lowering the car came next. After adjusting the height, the stock drum brakes looked awful behind billet wheels. lol

[Aschle]

Fast forward a few years... Don't think anyone wants the -entire- story here. haha

Motor and transmission ran flawlessly, but a 307 with a 2 barrel / T350 and a 2:56 gear out back makes for a big lack of fun factor. I decided to pull the engine and trans from my 91 Camaro (got tired of dealing with California smog nonsense).

Healthy SBC /T56 and 4:11 makes for much more fun

[Aschle]

Now traction was a big problem. I decided to get some tires that would hook. Here is where things began getting (in my mind) serious.

[Aschle]

Like I said at the beginning, it is my daily driver, so I am constantly making changes to suit my likes / needs. I hope to paint it this coming winter, but time will tell.

[camcojb]

Great project and I love that you drive it a lot!

[Firebird68corona]

Love the car and fact that you daily drive it. That green color grows on me the more I see it. I plan on daily driving mine once I wrap a few things up, what size rear tire did you go with ?


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[Aschle]

Originally Posted by Firebird68corona

Love the car and fact that you daily drive it. That green color grows on me the more I see it. I plan on daily driving mine once I wrap a few things up, what size rear tire did you go with ?


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Thank you. The car is British Racing Green, if you look closely, the hood and rear spoiler are Fathom Green, and are a shade or so lighter. I thought the car was fathom when I bought it... After looking through the enormous pile of receipts that were given to me, she had the dealership paint it BRG back in 69.

the tires are 335/30/18 in the rear

[F'in mine]

I like the paint as is, this way you don't have to worry about it too much but I get it..........fresh paint of your liking really finishes off the vision you have.
Quick question about your Caltracs, I'm presuming you're using the low pro option. It looks like in one of your videos that the leaf spring brackets on the 9" are different from Caltracs one that came with their kit. Did you bolt up the Caltrac one that was trimmed under the DSE leaf spring bracket. Reason I ask is I have the DSE leaf brackets and want to add the caltracs to my leafs for better hookup. Tks & keep posting some updates along the way.

[Aschle]

Originally Posted by F'in mine

I like the paint as is, this way you don't have to worry about it too much but I get it..........fresh paint of your liking really finishes off the vision you have.
Quick question about your Caltracs, I'm presuming you're using the low pro option. It looks like in one of your videos that the leaf spring brackets on the 9" are different from Caltracs one that came with their kit. Did you bolt up the Caltrac one that was trimmed under the DSE leaf spring bracket. Reason I ask is I have the DSE leaf brackets and want to add the caltracs to my leafs for better hookup. Tks & keep posting some updates along the way.

Thank you 😊

Yes, low profile Caltracs are what I’m running. The front brackets are as delivered from Caltracs, the rears, I cut / modified to work in conjunction with the DSE plates. I’ll PM you pictures if you would like