ot rod, muscle car, and custom-loving fiends alike in the Phoenix vicinity know Dean Livermore’s name all too well. Hot Rods by Dean (HRBD) has proven to be the go-to shop in the region, and with 60 years of combined experience between Livermore and his team of talented fabricators and builders, there’s no doubt that these guys can handle any job on any car. Luckily for Bryan Oates, also a Phoenix native, he didn’t have to take his project car far to have it checked into HRBD for a full overhaul and more. Luckily for the guys at the shop, Bryan’s car just happened to be one of their collective favorite platforms: a ’69 Camaro. In the world of classic American muscle cars, it doesn’t get much sweeter than this.

There isn’t much the guys at HRBD can’t handle in-house. Their 12,000-square-foot facility features old-school, state-of-the-art tools and machinery to handle just about any chassis, mechanical, and paint gig. Starting with the suspension system, Bryan wanted much more excitement from his ’69, and Livermore knew exactly where to start. Having worked with Detroit Speed chassis components in the past, Livermore utilizes DSE spindles, coilovers, sway bars, and rear four-links whenever possible. The ride quality and handling these products deliver when brought together greatly increases overall performance and the exact level of excitement Bryan was looking for. As an added bonus, DSE’s coilover units allow for easy ride height and spring rate adjustments, so dialing in a more aggressive stance and feel will always be well within reach.

To finish off the chassis setup, a set of staggered 18- and 19-inch Formula 43 wheels were selected and given a custom blacked-out appearance. Covering the performance-minded wheels is fresh Michelin rubber that will match the Camaro’s newfound nimbleness and raw power output that was next on the horizon.

Wanting to capitalize on the car’s ultra-responsive suspension setup, Livermore thought it wise to invest in a late-model GM crate engine, and what better transplant to go with than a fresh LS7 mill. The already-impressive specs on the factory engine just wouldn’t be enough for this project, however. To up the ante for go as well as show, a Billet Specialties front drive pulley system was put into place as well as other billet dress-up accessories. To add more teeth to the LS7’s bite, HRBD cooked up a set of custom headers as well as a one-off 2.5-inch exhaust system that was attached to rumbling MagnaFlow mufflers.

With the Camaro’s speed and handling well taken care of, Livermore and crew then looked to see what they could do with the exterior to give it a classic yet updated appearance while attempting to match the car’s rising level of aggression. After the necessary bodywork was completed by HRBD, a custom front pan design was implemented. An RS/SS grille was also thrown into the mix, which further gives a stylized spin to the elevated yet familiar front end of the ’69.