1968 Camaro Pro Touring Restoration

[nats68]

I will begin with the history of the car.
My father in law bought the car in 1970 and drove it for almost 20 years. My wife then got the car and drove it for a few years. The car started having issues and it got parked. There it sat for the next 20 something years.
I convinced the wife it should spend some time in our garage and get restored. So a few months ago we dug it out and relocated it into our garage.
The best part is, it's completely rust free. It's always been a Southern California car and spent those 20 something years in a garage.
It is a 6 cylinder PG standard car in grotto blue.
I've already begun the resto. I've had the subframe powder coated and the front suspension components have been replaced.
I've sold the powerglide and the 250 and plan on putting in an LS3/4l65E combo. Changing from a column shifter to a console shifter.
I also plan on pretty much replacing everything on the car. Wiring, brake lines, fuel lines etc...
I'm not gonna race the car but want a real nice driver. I'm going with a Ridetech 4 link, Viking coilovers on the four corners and Wilwood Dynalites. I got the steering box rebuilt by Lee.
I already put BMR uca/lca and BMR subframe connectors.
Any advice or comments are welcome. Thank you.
And yes I will be posting pics as I go.
I have some pics and more info up at Team Camaro.http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=242362

[Schwartz Performance]

Nice story! Good luck with the build. Don't tell any true restorer that you're restoring the car.... It's ok to use those terms here though, we know what you mean! :)

Let me know when you go to buy parts, I'll help ya out :)

-Dale

[nats68]

Nice story! Good luck with the build. Don't tell any true restorer that you're restoring the car.... It's ok to use those terms here though, we know what you mean! :)

Let me know when you go to buy parts, I'll help ya out :)

-Dale

Yeah, I know. I'm on Team Camaro also and it's a different world over there. More restomod than restoration.
Great info on both sites, I've learned a ton.
I will PM you soon, I have some questions about getting the LS3.

Thanks,
Tom

[nats68]

Quick update. Got the Wlwoods installed, along with new brake lines, master and booster.
The LS3 and 4l65E are in the garage waiting to be installed. Also waiting on the motor mounts and headers.
As soon as the car is back from getting the mini tubs installed I will be putting the motor and trans in to see how it all fits.
Also, as soon as I can get some pics up I will do that also.
The 4 link is also installed.

[nats68]

So, it's been almost a year since I last posted an update. A lot has happened. I will post a bunch of pics.
Motor and trans are in and running.
Got the new wiring harness installed.
Fuel and brake lines all plumbed in and working.
Dakota Digital gauges installed.
I also decided to mini tub it.

[nats68]

here's what I started with.
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[nats68]

Within a few weeks it looked like this.
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[nats68]

With the subframe at the powder coater I cleaned up the firewall.
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[nats68]

Got the subframe and core support installed.
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Got the front suspension installed. BMR UCA and LCA with Viking coilovers.
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[nats68]

Almost forgot. I got these with the car also. Original plates.
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Protecto plate.
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[nats68]

This is the most recent pic. Running and driving. Just took the rear end out to get rebuilt.
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[nats68]

The plans for now are to repaint to the factory color. Found this under the fender. Gotta love California cars.
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[nats68]

Motor installed.
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[nats68]

I think this one is self explanatory.
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[32deucecoupe]

Looks like great progress with the end in sight, what front runner system did you go with? I can almost read the sticker on it.
keep up the good work,

[fleming23]

Looks like great progress with the end in sight, what front runner system did you go with? I can almost read the sticker on it.
keep up the good work,

A/C bracket looks to be from KWiK Performance.

Looks good! I like the use of the later model air filter box.

[nats68]

Looks like great progress with the end in sight, what front runner system did you go with? I can almost read the sticker on it.
keep up the good work,

fleming23 is correct. Kwik performance A/C bracket, the rest is from GM Performance. I think it's the Corvette drive accessories. I don't remember. Whichever one has a high mount alternator.
The A/C bracket came with the Vintage Air set up.

[nats68]

A/C bracket looks to be from KWiK Performance.

Looks good! I like the use of the later model air filter box.

Thank you. I know I'm biased but I love how the engine compartment came out.

[nats68]

I got this back from the shop. It's all ready to be installed.

110706110707

[130fe]

What wheels are those?

[nats68]

What wheels are those?

Budnik Gasser
I actually have them up for sale. I'm planning on going with an 18" rally wheel.

[vstol]

I think this one is self explanatory.
109797

What Wilwood Master brake and booster do you have? It looks like the booster is a lot smaller. Thanks Kevin

[nats68]

What Wilwood Master brake and booster do you have? It looks like the booster is a lot smaller. Thanks Kevin

The master cylinder is a wildwood 1" model#260-8555-P and the brake booster is an 8" right stuff detailing brake booster. I got it from Mats Classic Bowties. They have them powder coated black.

[nats68]

I put the battery in the trunk and used the space to mount the LS3 fuse box and distribution block. Also mounted the ECM on the underside, beneath the distribution block.

110760

[nats68]

Here's a few pics of the Spectre intake. It came silver then I had it powder coated black after the mass airflow sensor bung was welded on.
I also had the heat shield powder coated after I did a little trimming to get it to fit in a way that I liked.

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[nats68]

It's been a while since I've posted any progress pics. So here comes a few
Got the seats covered.

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[nats68]

Here's the trunk with my relocated battery, disconnect switch and main power fuse.

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[nats68]

I've taken the car to a few car shows since it's been road worthy. Today we won our first trophy. Got first place in Under Contruction class.

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[nats68]

Got a cowl hood for the car installed.
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[nats68]

One of my favorite views of the car.
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[ejh532]

Such a sweet ride man. Wheel and tire combo was a nice pick

[nats68]

Such a sweet ride man. Wheel and tire combo was a nice pick

Thanks. I got lucky.
A friend of mine had them in his garage and with a lot of measuring and getting the right wheel adapters, they fit perfect.
They were on a 1991 300zx.

[nats68]

Got these coil covers made and had them powder coated.
They are a little dusty in the second pic.

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[vande596]

I love those engine/coil covers! So simple, they are beautiful.

Keep up the great work!

[ryeguy2006a]

I've taken the car to a few car shows since it's been road worthy. Today we won our first trophy. Got first place in Under Contruction class.

114561

Love that picture! The 68 that I am working on was the same color!

I have to say, I am really digging the "under construction" look. I have been debating doing something like that myself so that I can drive my car! Some of my body panels are painted and some aren't and I think I have made my decision to go ahead and do it!

[nats68]

I love those engine/coil covers! So simple, they are beautiful.

Keep up the great work!

Thank you. I'm really happy with how they came out.

[nats68]

Love that picture! The 68 that I am working on was the same color!

I have to say, I am really digging the "under construction" look. I have been debating doing something like that myself so that I can drive my car! Some of my body panels are painted and some aren't and I think I have made my decision to go ahead and do it!

Thank you. Don't get me wrong I love the look but, it's getting painted as soon as I can afford it. I just wanted to enjoy it in the mean time.

[DT69Cam]

I know this is an old thread. Nat, I was wondering if you used the GMPP harness and did you have to modify the harness to reach the original battery tray for mounting the ECM and fuse box ? Thx.

[dhutton]

I know this is an old thread. Nat, I was wondering if you used the GMPP harness and did you have to modify the harness to reach the original battery tray for mounting the ECM and fuse box ? Thx.

It reached for me. A bit tight but it can be done.

Don

[DT69Cam]

It reached for me. A bit tight but it can be done.

Don
Thanks Don !!

[nats68]

I know this is an old thread. Nat, I was wondering if you used the GMPP harness and did you have to modify the harness to reach the original battery tray for mounting the ECM and fuse box ? Thx.

I used the GMPP harness without modifying it. That's one of the reasons I went that route. I didn't want to get into modifying the harness.
I figured out where the harness would reach and figured out what to do from there.

[DT69Cam]

I used the GMPP harness without modifying it. That's one of the reasons I went that route. I didn't want to get into modifying the harness.
I figured out where the harness would reach and figured out what to do from there.
Awesome, thank you very much.