The Project
Cool Links
Project updated when I can.

CHECK OUT MY PROJECT PAGE – I JUST FINISHED A REAR END UPGRADE AND A 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKE CONVERSION.

 
1992

I bought my Camaro in January of 92. I drove it for a few months until I had to go to Alaska for a 3 year tour. I stored the car for those 3 years.  I left Alaska December 1995 picked it up in Charleston, South Carolina to tow back to my new duty location in Montana. It was pretty cold (40 below zero) and the paint on the hood doors and the trunk flaked off. I knew I would have to start restoring it. That summer of 96 I started stripping her down, every nut and bolt was removed from this car. I did most of the restoration while living in Great Falls, Montana.

Now I am living in Spokane, Washington and have done a little bit of work here and there. Mostly upgrades so check out the project page.

This is my dedication to the backyard restorer, trials and tribulations, good, bad, it doesn't matter. I know I have had fun and drank many beers with many different people that have admired my work and some that thought that I was just plain nuts. I hope that my efforts as a web designer allow some of you some ambition to follow your dreams of owning and restoring your own classic whether it is your Grandfathers Oldsmobile, your 72 Duster, or your own 1st generation Camaro. You don't have to like my page, I put it here for those that could benefit from my experiences.

This is how my Camaro looked in January of 1992 when I bought it off of the “lemon-lot” at Charleston Air Force Base. An Air Force Reservist needed money for a project 57 Chevy. The car spent all its life up to that point somewhere in Arizona. It had “Desert Knight” painted on the rear window. It also had a dueled out Chevy fireball straight six, with the frame mounts for the engine welded to the subframe. It is a true SS with a November 1966 build date and the 4P on the cowl tag. The RS stuff has been added. If any one has any history on this car please let me know. At the time I bought it, it was painted what I was told was an 87 IROC silver. It glowed purple under the street lights.

 The list of upgrades are geared toward my car being a real performer, actually Performer RPM. I have a complete Edelbrock Performer RPM Power Package (yes, including the heads) on the engine. Some of a few extras such as the Edelbrock Accu-Drive gear drive system, a Melling HV oil pump, Dynomax Ceramic headers (by Jet Hot) and Crane Roller Tipped Rockers , Holley mechanical fuel pump just to name a few. Unfortunately the original 350 is long gone. The engine is now a large journal 327 bored .030 over. TRW flattop 10-1 pistons take up the space in the cylinders. When the engine was originally built, it was built for circle track use and not used so I am sure that the bottom end is built to withstand the higher power band associated with Edelbrock RPM components. Spark is supplied by Crane Electronics. The HI6, PS-91 and the XR-700 electronic converter were my first choice for the ignition system. Desktop Dyno from Mr. Gasket estimates that this combo should be around 426 horsepower at 6500 RPM's and 387 ftlb's of torque at 5500 RPM's. I personally think that estimate is a little high, but who's to know?
I have replaced all my chassis components with a Poly graphite super front end rebuild kit by Performance Suspension Technologies (PST). Upgrades in suspension is handled by The American Classic suspension kit from Vette Brakes. Energy Suspension bushings connect the new leaf springs to the body. The rear end is a 8.5” from a 75 Nova. I have added a Power Trax lock-right unit from Richmond. Axle hop was a big problem, I installed a set of Lakewood Traction Bars and it stopped. My braking system is a 4 wheel disc setup. Front is a basic 69 Camaro setup with the single piston calipers. The rear disc setup is something I put together from an 84 Toronado.

I have purchased many restoration parts from Classic Industries, Year One, and Rick's First Generation. This was a complete ground up restoration.

I drove it home from the paint prison on Friday 21 April 2000. A year and a half after I brought it to One on One Auto body in Belt, Montana. Dave Hartman did an exceptional job with the body work and the paint. I have it just about where I want it. I have a few other plans for it but try not to overwhelm myself like I did in the beginning, both monetarily and physically.

Check out the progress, I update "The Project" when I can.
Some of the pictures might take a while for dial-up, so kick back, grab a beer and be patient.
-
If you are interested in the first generation Camaro, visit this site for all your questions and answers. 
www.camaros.net

Comments and Questions


Visit the POLCAT site. Dedicated to the USAF Fuels Specialists