A Turbo 400 trans assembled by the crew at Brown’s Transmission in Ventura, California, incorporated a B&M shift kit for more aggressive gear changes while sending power to a capable 10-bolt rearend. It’s a simplistic approach to a vintage-style muscle car.

The chassis features a mostly stock arrangement sprinkled with suspension upgrades that include KYB socks and Quickor Garage antiroll bars front and rear to keep the Camaro on the level. A quick-ratio steering box expedites the car’s lateral maneuverability. The undercarriage was sprayed with Raptor Coating and the subframe, subframe connectors, and sway bars are powdercoated in different colors to liven things up a notch underneath.

Tried-and-true GM discs up front and stock drum brakes out back handle stopping duties while maintaining the GM DNA. American Racing Torq Thrust D and BFGoodrich T/As all around give Jim’s ’68 a heavy dose of nostalgia, which helps keep the nature of this Camaro in the era of its conception.

The business quarters include a nice mix of modern features that coexist with the factory bits. A black stitched vinyl dashpad is incorporated into the aftermarket dash that houses Auto Meter Sport-Comp speedo and rpm gauges. The factory woodgrain trim remains intact as does the stock heater control panel. A RetroSound factory-looking radio and horseshoe shifter keep the original vibe intact. Auto Meter Sport-Comp gauges now take up residence in the center console where the original informants once lived. Other upgrades include a Lecarra steering wheel and a pair of Recaro Expert seats covered in black leather. The Simpson racing harness latches onto the four-point rollbar installed by Autosports Engineering.

Besides the shaved emblems and rolled rear inner fenders, the stock body was given a complete overhaul by the guys at Dent Experts in Goleta, California, prior to laying down a dazzling custom Axalta mix they refer to as “Bitchen Zack Blue.” Good luck finding that color swatch on the Axalta website. The stellar images captured here by photographic magician, Wes Allison, highlights this one-off color that leaps off the page, ensuring this unordinary muscle car shows off its extraordinary finish. Based on the Donohue Camaro, Fastripe performed some subtle pinstriping accents on the flat black tailpanel offering a bit of late-’60s custom cool. Verne’s Chrome Plating gave new life to the stock bumpers and trim pieces for a show-like finish.

Like most vintage muscle car builds, a cast of talented friends and industry folks are called upon to help bring a project across the finish line. In the case of Jim’s insanely cool ’68 Camaro, he points to J & S East Valley Garage (Jay, Aaron, Paul, Norm, and Hunter) and a huge thanks to John and Robin (J&R Hot Rods) who disassembled the entire car and put it back together, the crew at Brown’s Transmission, Dent Experts (Dave and Kaylee), Dave and Kevin at Absolute Engineering, Adam’s Custom Upholstery, and Dow Maroney for making it all happen. “I especially want to thank my wife, Raylene for supporting me and this car for so many years,” Jim adds. “I’m pretty sure she was attracted to the car before she was me, but sometimes that’s how it works. Seriously, she loves the car and is as much a part of it as I am.”

Jim’s Camaro has gone through a multitude of paintjobs and personalities, and in its latest incarnation the car now pays homage to the Mark Donohue Camaro with a twist.