Mercury Rising

FEATURE

InTheGarageMedia.com

Chad Farischon’s ’69 Camaro RS/SS

BY NICK LICATA

Images by Grant Cox

T

here’s something about car guys that makes them want to take a perfectly good muscle car in for a do-over–a “mulligan” in golf terms. And not because the first hit was a bad shot, but because it’s possible the car was built at a time just prior to the muscle car world being turned upside down at a time when the aftermarket completely stepped up its game and introduced a new level of highly engineered performance parts, making one-time excellent components somewhat obsolete—a case of natural performance progression.

front view of red ’69 Camaro RS/SS with black details

For most of us that’s all fine and dandy, as the ride we were driving got the job done just fine. Well, that’s not exactly how Chad Farischon’s brain works. Chad is the kind of guy who wants the best of everything available. For him, it’s top shelf or nothing. He has no problem taking something great and making it even better. Starting with his ’69 Camaro spread across these pages. This car was a frame-off resto done up in Chevy High Performance magazine back in 2009 as a relatively early Pro Touring build. Influence came by way of Mark Stielow who raised the bar when it came to making vintage Camaros handle like modern sports cars—it was groundbreaking, uncharted territory at the time. “After seeing Stielow’s first Pro Touring ’69 Camaro, I had to build one similar,” Chad says. “The car I built was a standout at the time, but as the Pro Touring scene began to explode, my car suddenly blended in with just about every other red first-gen Camaro.”

So, Chad needed to take his project to the proverbial next level—build a car that would set his apart from the existing gang of red ’69 Camaros. He reached out to the father-son team of Rick (the father) and Brett (the son) Schmeski at Mountain Home Street Rods in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to formulate a plan that entailed building a unique muscle car capable of tearing up the track while at the same time able to compete in prestige car shows with a focus on competing for the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year. The idea was to build a custom car that was pretty and unique enough to win car shows, tour the country with it for a year on the show circuit, then take the one-time “trailer queen” and show its true calling as a track fiend.

The Schmeskis were on board and got busy on the transformation. They started by removing the relatively new old stuff and dialing it in with top-of-the line brand-new stuff. Underneath went a Detroit Speed QUADRALink rear suspension system that plays host to a Strange Pro Touring 9-inch floater with 4.11 gears, Strange S-track, and 35-spline axles. JRi double-adjustable shocks, 400-pound springs, and a 7/8-inch sway bar are included in the mix.

Up front a Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe is aided with Detroit Speed tubular control arms, Detroit Speed spindles, JRi double-adjustable shocks and 650-pound springs. Detroit Speed subframe connectors tie it all together, creating a brilliant handling package that takes the Camaro to new heights of performance.

Enhanced braking comes by way of Wilwood 14-inch rotors with race spec Aero6 six-piston calipers up front with four-piston calipers out back. Clayton Machine Works pedals and a Wilwood master cylinder conduct the ensemble while a Willwood proportioning valve ensures proper braking bias to comply with the demands of road course and autocross activity. JJ Furillo at Ultimate Performance tuned the shocks and suspension to ensure the car reached the peak if its ability.

A set of Forgeline AL305 wheels come in at 18×10 front and 19×12 out back and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber for unmatched street and track day performance.

closeup of steering wheel in ’69 Camaro RS/SS

Underhood went the impressive Mercury Racing SB4 engine. The unique 428ci (7.0L) powerplant features a 32-valve dual overhead cam arrangement with a host of Mercury Racing proprietary components. Based off an LS block, it includes a 4.124 bore and 4.0-inch stroke and features a compression ratio of 11.7:1. A Mercury Racing PCM controls the sequential fuel injection system for precise fuel delivery while spent gas is shoved through a set of custom stainless headers and 3-inch Blackheart exhaust and muffler system creating an aggressive growl at idle and a majestic roar all the way to 8,000 rpm.

In true Pro Touring fashion, a race-spec TREMEC T-56 Magnum was called for duty. Prepped by Texas Drivetrain Performance it features carbon hybrid syncros for additional strength and durability. A Centerforce DYAD twin-disc clutch capable of accepting the SB4’s 750 hp ensures confident shifting at any rpm range.

Distinct Customs in Norman, Oklahoma, created a totally custom interior utilizing a mix of Relicate black leather with vibrant red accent stitching throughout. They built the custom center console, custom door panels, and rear seat delete panel to increase the aesthetically appealing race car vibe. Dirt Road Customs (Shawnee, Oklahoma) fabricated a six-point chromoly rollcage for additional safety measures and increased chassis stiffness. The custom dash houses MoTeC C1212 digital display for precise engine and system information. An ididit steering column is topped with a Sparco steering wheel that jives with the custom Recaro seats and black German weave carpet. A Vintage Air HVAC system controls the climate while the Memphis Audio system’s amps and speakers provide Chad a hi-fi soundtrack cranking up his favorite playlist for long drive situations.

Chad took a high-tech approach and utilized an Infinity Box PDM as the brains of the electrical system. It controls the electric start, lights, power windows, sound system, A/C, and everything electrical via an iPad for a switch-free environment.

The Mountain Home crew stayed true to the Ben Hermance rendering to showcase their talent by fabricating subtle yet extensive body modifications to give the Camaro a sleeker approach compared to a conventional ’69 body. Prior to laying down a decedent layer of Standox Jupiter Red pigment and bronze and carbon stripes, they extended the rocker panels, lowered the roofline, created a custom front spoiler and rear diffuser, tucked the front bumper, and added flush-mount glass.

The custom fabrications are seemingly endless, but for this article we can only touch on the highlights that make Chad’s Camaro impressively unique. The casual Camaro enthusiast might not take a second glance, but the profound first-gen F-body fan will take notice this ’69 goes way deeper than a typical Pro Touring Camaro with a cool stance, aftermarket suspension components, and brilliant paint. Although it is all those things, it is also much more.

“Winning the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year and coming away with a Top 10 Hot Rod at SEMA’s Battle of the Builders are the most amazing experiences I’ve had with the car,” Chad states. “But with those awards behind me it’s time to get this car out and do what it was built to do: get it out on the track and show what this Camaro can really do.”

TECH

Owner: Chad Farischon, Arcadia, Oklahoma
Vehicle: ’69 Camaro SS/RS

Engine

Type: Mercury Racing SB4
Displacement: 7.0L (428 ci)
Compression Ratio: 11.7:1
Bore: 4.124 inches
Stroke: 4.0
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum four-valve
Rotating Assembly: Custom Mercury Racing
Camshaft: Dual overhead
Induction: Mercury Racing
Assembly: Mercury Racing
Valve Covers: Mercury Racing
Accessory Drive: Mercury Racing
Induction: Sequential fuel injection
Controller: Mercury Racing PCM
Exhaust: Custom headers, 3-inch Hooker Blackheart exhaust, Hooker Blackheart mufflers
Ancillaries: Ringbrothers hood hinges, Accusump 3-quart oil accumulator, C&R Racing aluminum radiator, Spal fans, Anvil carbon-fiber closeout panel and fender braces, Tanks fuel tank
Output: 750 hp at 7,500 rpm, 570 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm

Drivetrain

Transmission: Race-prepped TREMEC T-56 Magnum by Texas Drivetrain Performance
Clutch: Centerforce DYAD twin-disc
Driveshaft: Modern Driveline carbon fiber
Rear Axle: Strange Pro Touring 9-inch floater, Pro HD centersection, 4:11 US Gear

Chassis

Front Suspension: Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe, Detroit Speed spindles, splined sway bar, JRi double-adjustable coilover shocks, 650-pound springs
Rear Suspension: Detroit Speed QUADRALink, JRi double-adjustable shocks, splined sway bar, 400-pound springs

Suspension Tuning: JJ Furillo at Ultimate Performance
Brakes: Wilwood 14-inch rotors Aero6 six-piston calipers font, four-piston rear, Wilwood proportioning valve and master cylinder

Wheels & Tires

Wheels: Custom-painted Forgeline AL305 18×10 front, 19×12 rear
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 275/35R18 front, 345/30R19 rear

Interior

Upholstery: Relicate leather with red stitching
Door Panels: Custom by Distinct Customs (Norman, OK)
Rear Seat: Deleted and replaced with custom bulkhead
Installation: Distinct Customs
Seats: Recaro with black suede
Safety Harness: Racetech six-point
Steering: Ididit column, Sparco steering wheel
Shifter: American Powertrain White Lightning
Dash: Custom by Distinct Customs
Instrumentation: MoTeC C1212 digital dash/data logger
Rollcage: Six-point chromoly by Dirt Road Customs (Shawnee, OK)
Pedals: Lokar
HVAC: Vintage Air
Entertainment System: Memphis Audio
System Controller: Infinity Box PDM System

Exterior

Bodywork and Paint: Brett Schmeski at Mountain Home Street Rods
Paint: Standox Jupiter Red
Bodywork: Recessed driprails, extended A-pillars, lowered roofline, extended rocker panels, extended tail panel, custom diffuser, three-piece carbon-fiber rear spoiler, custom front spoiler
Front Bumper: Tucked and painted
Rear Bumper: Anvil Auto carbon-fiber custom
Headlights: Dapper Lighting LED
Taillights: DIGI-TAILS sequential LED
Side Mirror: Second-gen Camaro
Windshield: Flush-mount

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