FEATURE
InTheGarageMedia.com
t’s no secret the ’69 Camaro is considered the most popular of all vintage muscle cars. With the massive appeal and huge success of the ’67 and ’68 models, GM designers knew they were onto something. But even so, they couldn’t help but tweak the bodylines of the ’69 with molded swoops along the front fender that continue to the door where it gradually fades, only to reestablish itself on the rear quarter-panel, giving the car an illusion of motion while sitting still. Genius! But they didn’t stop there–adding in the non-functioning “gills” in front of the rear tire creates a performance trait that adds to already-excellent styling.
As the Automotion crew began digging into the Camaro, they discovered ill-fitting quarter-panels done by a previous shop, so the new sheetmetal was hung (properly, this time) for correct geometry. Moving to the front of the car, Automotion got serious–they started with angling the header panel edge toward the rear of the car then cut new openings in the lower valance. A frenched-in carbon-fiber spoiler was incorporated with a smooth transition that carries seamlessly into what was once the bumper. The cowl vents were filled while the rear edge was pulled up to the windshield, which creates a continual flow. Check out the thinned windshield posts and hardly visual ¼-inch trim that replaced the bulky stock driprails. It’s all part of the plan, as was customizing the rear of the front fenders that now seamlessly flow into the rocker panels.
Chad prefers to shift gears on his terms, so a TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual was sourced and backed up with a Hays clutch and Hurst shifter for accurate gear changes. A 9-inch rearend loaded with an Auburn limited-slip differential and 3.90 cogs get power to the Moser 31-spline axles–plenty of armor to handle the torquey big-block at its power peak and off-the-line shenanigans.
Out back a Detroit Speed QUADRALink suspension system outfitted with JRi double-adjustable coilover shocks, 250-pound springs, Panhard rod, and sway bar keep the business end on track. The front and rear suspension unite via the Detroit Speed weld-in subframe connectors to ensure this Camaro performs as good as it looks.
The interior consists of a full arrangement of carbon-fiber accents designed by Automotion, including the custom door inserts and the insert in the Detroit Speed dash, which complement the Speedhut gauges. Yes, those are carbon-fiber floor mats that play well with the Billet Specialties pedals with, you guessed it, carbon-fiber inserts. The guys at Top Stitch Upholstery took the baton and installed the black loop carpet and laid the satin black leather over the Recaro seats, custom console, dash, and door panels for a united front.
TECH
Vehicle: ’69 Chevy Camaro
Type: BluePrint big-block
Displacement: 496 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.1:1
BORE: 4.250 inches
Stroke: 4.310 inches
Cylinder Heads: BluePrint 119cc chamber, 2.30-inch intake/1.88-inch exhaust valves, 316cc intake/124cc exhaust runners
Rotating Assembly: BluePrint forged crankshaft, 6.385-inch connecting rods, Hypereutectic pistons
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller (0.647/0.647-inch lift, 248/254 deg. duration at 0.050, 112-deg lobe separation angle)
Induction: Borla Performance 8-stack injection system
Assembly: BluePrint
Exhaust: Ultimate Headers 2-inch primary/3-inch collector, Automotion custom 3-inch stainless exhaust, MagnaFlow mufflers
Ancillaries: Eddie Motorsports serpentine system, Powermaster alternator, Moroso valve covers, GM LS3 coils, Taylor wires, dual Lambo fans, Wizard Cooling aluminum radiator, Automotion carbon-fiber firewall insert, Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
Output 600 hp/568 lb-ft
Transmission: TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed manual
Rear Axle: Ford 9-inch with Auburn limited-slip differential, 3.90 gear ratio, Moser 31-spline axles
Front Suspension: Detroit Speed Hydroformed subframe; JRi double-adjustable coilover shocks; 500-pound springs, splined sway bar
Brakes: Baer Brakes 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers front and rear, C3 Corvette master cylinder
Wheels: Forgeline GW3; 18×10 front, 18×12 rear
Tires: BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S; 275/35R18 front, 335/30R18 rear
Upholstery: Black loop carpet, satin black leather door panels, dash, and console by Top Stitch Upholstery (Plain City, OH), custom carbon-fiber accents by Automotion
Seats: Recaro with satin black leather wrap by Top Stitch Upholstery
Steering: Factory column, Sparco Steering wheel
Shifter: Hurst
Pedals: Kugel 90-degree pedal assembly, Billet Specialties pads
Dash: Detroit Speed dash with carbon-fiber insert
Instrumentation: Speedhut
HVAC: None
Head Unit: Pioneer
Bodywork and Paint: Automotion Design and Fabrication
Paint: PPG Arctic White, PPG custom-mix gray stripes
Hood: Auto Metal Direct modified
Bumpers: Modified front, frenched, tucked, and lowered rear
Door Handles: Automotion custom flush fit
Headlights: Truck Lite
Taillights: Digi-Tails