In 2002, I decided to do something that I always wanted to do. I decided to restore a true muscle car but my only problem was that I am not mechanically inclined. I talked to a friend of mine that has done restoration before about what I wanted to do and he said that he would help me out. So now with help, the projected started.

I was debating on either restoring a Chevelle, Mustang, or Camaro. After a lot of researched about these car (thanks god for the internet), I finally decided on a �68 Camaro because I think it is the best looking body style of the all and the availability of the parts.

Now the planning started. First I wanted to restore it into the original configuration but then my friend got a hold of me. He said that I should make this car into a one of a kind hot rod show car. I had a problem with that because I wanted to drive it and not sit around until an auto show come around. Finally, it was decided that it will be the best of both worlds; a show car that is drivable. So with that decided, the plans for the car started to come together. This car would be a modern car on the inside and a muscle car on the outside. Let the shopping begin.

I finally found the perfect project car. It was sitting in the back yard of a house for 8 years and it was cheap. The body was in good shape considering the situation. There were very little signs of rust. The panels were straight and in good condition with no signs of it being in an accident. The interior was beyond help. I did not know that many critters loves to live inside a car before. You name it; it was living in the car. It was not a problem because all I was going to keep was the body. I bought the car and towed it a friends shop to start the work.

First thing done was to strip the whole car and throw everything away except for the body. The body was stripped of paint and removed off of the frame. I was very happy because the body was in excellent shape considering that it sat for 8 years. Before anything else was done, I wanted to get the power train and suspension first and then the frame made.

I decided that I wanted a Corvette LS1 engine and T56 transmission. My buddy had a high school buddy that was the parts manager for the local Chevy dealership so we went to see in. He informed me that he had a create LS6 engine and T56 transmission at the dealership and would sell it to me for $500.00 over what I would pay for a LS1/T56. I jumped all over that. While I was there, I got a good deal for a Z51 suspension/Z06 wheels (which was chrome later). I left there with my power train and suspension for the car. What an expensive day.

Everything was delivered to the shop. Now it is time to get the frame done. I meet a man who was a CAD designer and he agreed to design my frame. I wanted a frame that was strong with little or no flexibility. Also the frame had to fit the engine and transmission without modifications. Lastly, I wanted the engine to be set back to behind the front suspension for better balance. The frame was designed with all I wanted. It was a full box frame with three inch boxed cross members and one-inch tubular frame supports at the front and rear. After the frame was designed, it was built to perfection.
The frame was brought to the shop and the engine and transmission were fitted on the frame. Then the firewall and transmission hump with modified to fit onto the frame. GEE WIZZZ, it all fit perfectly and looks great.

The bodywork started. All of the rust was cut out and new sheet metal was welded in. All of the nicks/dings were fixed without bondo. All of the body panels were straightening and gapped. After all of the body was fitted just right, the cosmetics were done. Exterior door handles, side makers, trimmed, and rear fuel door were all shaved off. The fuel door was move the left rear quarter panels and fitted with an Audi TT fuel door. Once I was satisfied with the bodywork, the body was acid dipped and then powder coated. I know those are extra steps and money but if you are going to do it, might as well do it right. I did not want any bare metal showing on this project.

That�s were I am now. With 95% of the parts bought for the car it is time to started getting the car interior mocked up for insure everything fits right. Pictures will be posted to show the progress of the car so keep checking back to see what�s done. Please tell me what you think about the car.

Below is a list of what�s will be done with the car. I hope you enjoy the car as much as I enjoy doing it.

Engine:
2002 Corvette LS6
Street and Performance Headers
Flowmaster series 40 exhaust system
K&N air filter
Polished engine parts from Street and Performance
Griffan radiator
SearTech wiring harness
Re-programmed PCM
Vintage Air A/C

Transmission:
2002 Corvette T56 6-speed

Suspension:
2002 Corvette Z51 suspension
Bilstein coil over shocks
Chromed Z06 rims
Nitto NT 555RII tires 245/40R17 front 295/35R18 rear

Exterior:
Shaved door handles
Shaved trunk lock
Shaved side marker lights
Shaved external antenna
2002 Corvette Z06 side mirrors
2002 Audi TT fuel door on the left rear quarter panel

Interior:
Light gray leather interior
Covan Classic gauge panel with AutoMeter gauges
FloFit sport bucket seats (2 front/2 rear)
Electric windows
Alpine stereo system
IDIDIT polished steering column
Grant steering wheel
AutoLoc shave door kit with alarm

Page 2-In the body shop
Page 3-Painting has started
Page 4-Vehicle primered and mock up started