BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A Tale of Two Camaros
June 10, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Magnante
Beauty and the Beast – or two beauties that are beasts? They’ll both be roaring onto the block at the inaugural Northeast Auction later this month as Lot 671 and Lot 671.1, both offered at No Reserve.
Lot #671.1 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe
We can all agree there’s no such thing as an ugly 1969 Camaro. But there’s no doubt Chevy’s pony car sensation can be rendered in forms ranging from beautiful … to beastly. A great example of each extreme will be offered at No Reserve at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction. The beauty of GM’s industry-leading body design is represented clearly by Lot #671, a crisp Z/28 RS restored to showroom freshness. The sinister, brash beast lurking just under the surface of every Camaro is demonstrated by Lot #671.1, a full-on Pro-Touring creation. Both are already on display at Mohegan Sun so you can take a closer look in person prior to the auction.
The Pro-Touring Camaro’s V8 kicks out 580hp.
Starting with a gently used 6-cylinder coupe, Pro-Touring Lot #671.1’s platform was elevated to meet the challenge of Autocross racing – but with full streetability at the core. Suspension upgrades include a complete C5 Corvette front suspension and 4-link, J-bar rear suspension with Bilstein adjustable coilover shocks at all four corners. The stock 9.5-inch drum brakes gave way to huge 14-inch drilled and slotted Baer disc brakes with 6-piston calipers. Pedal pressure is enhanced with a Baer power-assisted Hydro-Boost unit with a Baer dual circuit aluminum master cylinder.
Quadrupling the original 6-cylinder’s 145 horsepower, an all-aluminum replacement 400ci small-block V8 belts out 580 horsepower with help from Accel/DFI fuel injection, Dart cylinder heads, a Wilson intake manifold and ceramic-coated headers feeding a custom Borla center-exit X-pipe exhaust system. In true Pro-Touring fashion, the driver is connected to the drivetrain excitement via a Tremec Magnum 6-speed manual transmission actuated by a Ringbrothers billet clutch reservoir. To handle the abundant power, the original 10-bolt rear axle gives way to a Moser 9-inch rear axle using Chassisworks Fab Nine housing.
The interior of this Camaro is as impressive as the exterior.
Inside, Sparco bucket seats and a Flash 5 steering wheel, tilt steering column, Vintage Air, power windows and hand-stitched Connolly leather surfaces add a level of sporting luxury the original vinyl and houndstooth fittings cannot match. Custom-built Auto Meter instruments monitor critical functions, while the Alpine sound system with iPod and Bluetooth features feeds Audison LRX amps, and multiple speakers allow concert-worthy sound.
A full roll cage works with G-Force 5-point harnesses keeps the driver and passenger in position during 1-plus G lateral maneuvers. Embellished with a full complement of Ringbrothers goodies, including headlight trim rings, door handles, door sills, door vents, door knobs, pedals and shift knob, this creation sits low and mean on Formula 43 Rad S6 black and polished wheels with Toyo Proxes tires.
Lot #671 – a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS Cross-Ram
On the other side of the street, Lot #671 stands as an example of a fully hot-rodded Camaro, as done by the factory. Documented by Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish as being a legitimate, matching-numbers Z/28 with the Rallye Sport package, it’s been treated to a full rotisserie restoration by Camaro collector Gary Volpicelli and retains most of its original sheet metal. Originally ordered new on June 20, 1969, at Ballew Motor Company of West Marion, North Carolina, the buyer sidestepped the standard 3.73 axle ratio in favor of the rare 4.10 gear set for improved acceleration.
One noteworthy item added to this Z/28 was a Can Am cross-ram intake system.
Other factory-installed equipment includes the close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission with a 2.20 first gear, power front disc brakes, heavy-duty battery, sport steering wheel, front bumper guards, center console, AM push-button radio, headlamp washers and the all-important Rallye Sport package. MacNeish conducted a thorough physical inspection to ensure that the X33 Rallye Sport equipment was factory installed and not added by a subsequent owner.
Inside, the black vinyl interior was so well-preserved it was retained and remains in place. One noteworthy item added was the Can Am cross-ram intake system. Mounting dual Holley 4-barrel carburetors atop an aluminum manifold, the cross-ram was designed for SCCA road race use but is just as at home on the street – when driven by an understanding person with a hot-rodder’s sensibility. Here, the entire unit is new old stock (NOS) and not a reproduction. Also added are the desirable ZL2 fiberglass cowl-induction hood and a change from black body stripes to white for enhanced eye appeal.
The interior of the award-winning Z/28.
And while time tends to erase the ownership history of many collector cars, this Z/28 comes with lots of documentation, including the original owner’s manual, receipts and appraisals dating back to 1983, and previous owner’s registrations dating back to 1987. Since the restoration was completed, it has won awards at Concours d’Elegance events in Boca Raton, Hilton Head, Winter Park and Lakeland. It also has won awards at many high-end shows, such as Ecklers, Super Chevy, AACA and VCCA, where it scored 1,000 of 1,000 points. VCCA also awarded it Best of Era for 2013.
Take your pick from the beauty or the beast, Camaro-style. Or maybe grab them both and enjoy all Camaro has to offer.
For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the Northeast Auction docket, click HERE.