In this episode, as we begin restoration on a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport, we take a look at the car's history and popularity. We cover some general and preliminary steps that are important for a successful restoration project -- things like planning a budget and schedule, selecting a restoration car and keeping a photo journal of the restoration project. The restoration then gets underway with the removal of the old the engine.
Introduction
The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is a classic automobile from that furtive period in American auto production known as the "muscle car" era. In fact, like the 1965 Ford Mustang, the early Camaro has become something of a venerated icon to the spirit of American automotive design during the middle to late 1960s.
As the Camaro has endured as a popular American sports car throughout nearly three decades of production, the early models like the 1968 version have remained highly sought-after classics among vintage sports-car enthusiasts. The popularity of those models as restoration-project vehicles is evidenced in the abundance of restoration products available for the enthusiast. For that reason, among others, the early Camaros make great cars to restore and, if restored properly, can provide years of smooth and enjoyable driving.
Automotive restoration is a hobby that can take many forms and degrees. In some cases, a thorough cleanup and general service may be all that's undertaken or required. In others, a vintage model can be fully restored -- both body and engine -- to original factory condition, or brought up to the rigid and standards of pristine show cars. Before you begin a restoration project, do a little research and determine the level of restoration you want to undertake, taking your budget and your personal time constraints into consideration.
The particular specimen of Camaro selected for this restoration was presumably driven for a number of years as a daily driver, then -- like many individual Camaros -- was later modified to give it some hot-rod and drag-racing characteristics. For example, the standard wheels and tires were replaced with fatter, racing tires on the rear (figure A) and skinny wheels and tires on the front (figure B). Changes were also made to the drive-train, transmission and rear axle. Our restoration project will involve, among other things, removing some of those street-racing features, and returning the car as closely as possible to its original stock configuration. The end result will be a faithfully restored classic that will also serve as a reliable (and eye-catching) daily driver.
In the segment that follows, host Ron Ananian provides some general, common-sense tips for the preliminary phases in this auto restoration.
RESOURCES :
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques
Model: 0895863758
Author: Tom Currao
Full title: Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques for 1967 to 1981 Camaros
H.P. Books
Camaro Restoration Guide: 1967-1969 (Authentic Restoration Guides)
Model: 0760301603
Author: Jason Scott
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Original Camaro: 1967-1969 (Bay View Original Series)
Model: 0760309256
Author: Jason Scott, Andy Kraushaar
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Camaro Exposed: 1967-1969 - Designs, Decisions and the Inside View
Model: 0837608767
Author: Paul Zazarine
Bentley Publishers
Special thanks for DIY's Classic Car Restoration -- 1968 Camaro RS
East Tennessee Camaro Club
President: Harold Pena
3710 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-633-8340
E-mail: jalpeno@worldnet.att.net
Smokey Mountain F-Bodies
Website: www.smokeymountainf-bodies.cz28.com
Coker Tires
Website: www.coker.com
Photos provided by:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Website: www.brickyard.com
Year One
Website: www.yearone.com
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