132168 / 1969 Camaro Pro-Touring

Sometimes, when you want a better mousetrap, it's best to let the factory do it for you. Fortunately, when the factory is General Motors and they're churning out hardware like the Z06 Corvette, you can build one hell of a mousetrap. This 1969 Camaro features three of the most famous numbers in all of automotive history: 427. As in 427 cubic inches, as in LS7 V8, as in 650 dyno-proven horsepower.

Originally built as a ZL1 COPO clone by Pro Touring Super Cars, it has been substantially upgraded over its builder's original vision what better way to pay tribute to the most incredible Camaro in history than with a brand new state-of-the-art all-aluminum 427 cubic inch engine? If you still believe the cars of the ‘60s were fast, you haven't driven today's latest crop of muscle. Heck, a well-driven Toyota Camry will run neck-and-neck with some of the nastiest hardware from muscles glory years, and even today's V6-powered Camaros and Mustangs will eat their big block elders for lunch. On the other hand, it's awfully easy to fall in love with a 1969 Camaros shape, so the smart thing to do is build a 1969 Camaro that moves like a 2010 Corvette Z06. The body on this killer Camaro was given a rotisserie restoration, top and bottom, inside and out, by the pros at Classic Cars of Mchenry County. You want gorgeous metalwork? You've got it. Paint a mile deep? It's here. Body gaps that would do a Lexus engineer proud? Included. This is a real code 71 Lemans Blue car according to the cowl tag, and has been refinished to an incredibly high standard that makes the paint look iridescent in the sunlight. As is my personal choice, the body guys decided to let the beautifully styled original sheet metal do all the talking, so there are no modifications to any of the panels, no questionable graphics, no outrageous stripes, just clean vintage steel that probably looks even better today than it did 41 years ago. Only the steel cowl induction hood gives it away, but it was a factory option and certainly looks like it belongs there. Like a coiled spring that's ready to explode, this Camaro looks dangerous just sitting still, and woe be unto the fellow who mistakes this for another garden-variety Camaro, albeit a very nice one.

Chrome and trim was also kept to a minimum, and I especially like the standard front-end and grille. No hidden headlights, no extraneous chrome and emblems, not even the polished stainless wheel arch moldings. The bumpers are fresh, door handles are correct and beautiful, and all the lenses are new reproductions. 427 emblems that were probably cribbed from a Corvette have been affixed to the cowl induction hood, the lone tipoff that something special is going on underneath. One cool trick all the lighting on the car is LED, and the headlights have been upgraded to cool HID units that are like flamethrowers on the front of the car.

OK, on to the heart of the matter that all-aluminum LS7 engine under the hood. As the largest small block Chevy ever built, the 427 cubic inch LS7 is a direct descendant of the incredibly successful C5R and C6R racing teams, who campaigned a very similar engine in endurance races all over the world. In the Z06 Corvette, it cranks out 505 horsepower and features a race-ready dry sump oiling system, resulting in perhaps the most potent track weapon to ever come out of Bowling Green (perhaps surpassed only by the mighty supercharged ZR1). Lighter than any cast iron engine that originally lived in a Camaro engine bay; the LS7 is a perfect fit and looks right at home inside this blue pony car. Featuring a custom 4-inch induction system, a custom LS7 camshaft by Speed, Inc., and a set of beautifully fabricated Kooks headers, it belts out an extremely impressive 650 horsepower on the engine dyno. All of the Z06’s factory bits are included, from the fuel injection system (upgraded to handle the extra power, of course), to the original dry sump oil tank, to the serpentine belt setup up front. Turn the key and it fires up the first time, every time, just like your daily driver. It idles perfectly, with a decidedly ‘60s cackle to the exhaust, and accelerates like the hand of God is pushing it along.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• rkmotorscharlotte
• rkmotors
• rk motors charlotte
• classic cars
• muscle car
• auto
• autos
• automobiles
• vintage
• collector
• high performance
• 1969
• Chevrolet
• Camaro
• ZL1

[Dabber422]

Wow that still sounds old school

[blackmafiax]

that blue is my thing... my color... favorite one...

[13slot28]

I love th eold school with new school tec :)