The primary goal for this project is to create a unique and special vehicle that I can drive the hell out of (safely) and enjoy frequently. A car that is different than what everybody else has on the road and something that might actually go up in value over time instead of down like many. Most importantly, I want to build it myself and have something that I can one day pass on to my future children and create some sort of legacy. Also, I just love building things so I thought it would be a great hobby and a chance to learn some new skills (body work, electrical, welding, etc). Going into such a large project, I considered the following:

• At the start of the project, I was single, no children, and worked only 40 hours a week so I had the spare time

• I had built several engines and worked on cars in high school and college, worked at an auto parts store, did quite a few custom stereo installs, etc. So I had the automotive background and learning capacity.

• I have a big 2 car garage

• I have enough savings and a good income to tackle the financial requirements

When I thought about the car I wanted to build, I knew it had to be the following:

• A '69 Camaro. It's just always been my favorite car since I was in high school. It also has to have the RS front end.

• A big block. I had 2 Trans Am's when I was in high school and college and they both had big blocks and I just love the low-end torque and the easy power.

• An all-around performance vehicle with some modern features. Great power, handling, breaking, etc.

• A unique vehicle with my own personal touches. Good looking but not over-stated or too flashy.

• Good but moderate stereo system.

• Very 'drivable'. Definitely not a trailer queen or garage decoration.

• The exhaust should not be so loud that I can't hear the stereo or talk to the passengers

• The engine should not have so much horsepower that it's unfriendly or exceptionally gas guzzling, but still enough horsepower to haul ass

• Good gearing for highway driving

• Paint and body costs that aren't so ridiculously expensive that I'm too nervous to drive it

• Built with high-strength, quality components so it can take hard driving and possible future power-adders

My initial estimates were that it would take me about a year to finish it and it would cost around $45K to $50K. As you'll read in other sections of this website, those estimates weren't very accurate (at all!). That's fairly common for car projects so I don't feel too bad about it.  Recent opinions in the car building world state that to do a proper, frame-off restoration of a muscle car takes about 1400 to 1600 hours. I would say that estimate is fairly accurate. I worked on my car about 2 to 3 hours a day, nearly every day, for a little over 2 years. That's an average. Some days I didn't touch it and some Saturdays and Sundays I worked on it all day. So 2 hours a day X 365 days X 2.3 years = 1679 hours. To have worked less on it and reduced the hour total, I would have had to pay people, which of course runs up the cost VERY QUICKLY. It greatly depends on the car you start out with, so if you want to spend less time, fork over some extra money for a nice starting car, or plan on paying $30 to $60 an hour (or more) to have someone do the work for you.



Engine: GM ZZ454, March Performance pulley kit, Holley 750

Transmission: BowTie Overdrives Level 3 200 4R, 2600 Extreme Duty Torque Converter, BTO TV Cable kit

Driveshaft: Inland Empire 3.5" steel, 1350 U-joints
Rear End: Moser 12 bolt, 3:42, Eaton posi

Steering: AGR 12:1 steering box, Moog linkage

Suspension: Koni, Hotchkis, Global West, Del-a-lum upper and lower bushings

Subframe Connectors and Aluminum Body bushings: Global West

Wheels: Budnik Shotgun 18x8" front, 19x9.25" rear

Tires: Nitto 555 Extreme 245/40 front, 275/35 rear

Brakes: Baer Track 13" front and rear

Audio: Alpine, Infinity, Pioneer

Interior: Custom leather, DSE Dash Carrier, Custom center console, Autometer

Electrical: Amercian Autowire kit, DSE Wiper Motor kit, DSE Electric Headlamp Kit

Exhaust: Hedman 2" primary ceramic coated headers, Flowmaster American Thunder 2.5" kit

For complete details(part numbers, purchase prices, honest opinions on fitment, etc) on every single part used to build this car, checkout 69CamaroProject.com