1969 Camaro RS.R - a new project from the OLC Team

[James OLC]

Well since that cat is out of the bag on this one I figured I might as well start a build thread – although it’s a bit early and the real “building” is just getting ready to start.

More than anything I guess this is an opportunity to introduce you to my new ’69 Camaro project that I am calling the Camaro RS.R – the name is in large part a homage to the light weight track oriented Porsche’s that have dominated road courses since their inception but more than anything the .R stands for something a little bit different (and repetitive) – Rally. Hopefully we can capture the spirit of both and in the end meet our goal of competing in the Targa Newfoundland Rally next fall.

I first started looking at this particular car in the summer of 2009…









At the time I reluctantly passed since the OneLap car was starting to gain some steam and I wasn’t really sure what I needed to build at that point.

[James OLC]

Fast forward a year and a half and the car is up for sale again and now, after a couple of pretty decent outings with the optima batteries OneLapCamaro I had some clear direction and ideas for where I needed to go.











The car was looked to be in great shape and after talking to the owner some more and having Best of Show give it a once over I pulled the trigger and we’re on our way.

[James OLC]

So what’s the plan?

In talking to David, Mary and some other people over the holidays my best description was a modern take on a Trans Am style car – hardly a new theme for (the collective) us but more or less correct. As we talked more I realized that it was heading towards more of a Porsche RSR theme – light weight, streetable but really track oriented, and just a bit different. This car will be 90% track focused and 10% street oriented; basically it will be street legal by necessity but not by choice.

Much like the OneLapCamaro I’m building it with one clear goal - to run the Targa Newfoundland. Because of the rules of the Targa it will end up in the “Open” class (since I can’t bring myself to build a Gen 1 SBC and keep the suspension stockish) which is really ideal since the foundation for the “Open” class more or less overlaps perfectly with the “Unlimited Class” tech rules for the Silver State Classic (did I say one clear goal… maybe two clear goals)… which would still leave it legal for the One Lap of America.

Building a car for the Targa requires some sacrifices that go against some more common PT themes and presents some unique challenges. Ground clearance is a huge issue – the Targa Newfoundland is, essentially, an open road rally race on a combination of public highways and city streets so there can be some very “unique” transitions. So don’t expect an in the weeds build here with stuff hanging low beneath the car. The exhaust will be high and even to some extent in the car, and will exit a bit… unconventionally.

Big tires front and back are a given. We’re going to work with SpeedTech and use one of their subframes and Three Link rear suspensions. We’ll push the envelope a bit on the front wheels and tires maybe running something like a 295 front and back…. maybe…. DSE mini-tubs are going in now, just in case we need more room in back… just in case…



Right now the car is at Best of Show where we’re waiting on some parts. Once they arrive they’ll swap out a rear quarter and install the mini-tubs. Then the roof comes off and the car will be shipped to Rodger at Ironworks in Bakersfield for a complete 12-point roll cage and some other “subtle” ironworks touches. The SpeedTech front and rear suspensions will go on and then we’ll work to fit a light weight clip on the car and shed whatever unneeded weight that we can.

A rendering is in the works and a few details will work themselves through as time passes but I thought it was time to let the cat out of the bag.

Hopefully this is half as fun as the OLC build (and aftermath) was.

[Damn True]

Can I call shotgun?

[Flash68]

Targa... awesome. I just watched Love the Beast last night... again.... and those Targa races look like a ton of fun.

[72mach1]

Looks like you've got a great starting point. Good luck with the build.

[MoparCar]

Very nice-I can't wait to see the progress on this one also!
Wes

[formula]

So, this, but camaro?



I can't freakin' wait.

[67CamNKC]

Targa... awesome. I just watched Love the Beast last night... again.... and those Targa races look like a ton of fun.

X2.....My wife and I just watched it as well. The rally races were awesome.....Blind corner here, there, etc.... "Subscribed".........Looking forward to this build.

[dmc69]

nice!

[Gitter Dun]

Jim, really looking forward to this. I get the feeling this will be a true race inspired build. Cant wait to see how you tackle the ground clearance and suspension. Just a thought, but I have been trying to think of a way to create a front air dam/splitter with some sort of recoil action if it was to botttom out. What do you think?

[James OLC]

Wes I was actually thinking about an older vintage RSR but that one would do fine too

Gaetano I spent some time talking to a trans am / can am guru at the Pozzi's over Christmas and he had some interesting suggestions that I'll try to incorporate. I'm happy with the way that the OLCs spoiler/splitter works but I think that I'm going to build a removable one for Silver State and probably stick with a stock style spoiler for the Targa.

[CamaroAJ]

you could have also gone the vette way with the R. full race mode like the C6R.

[James OLC]

Yeah... But I was holding that back for when I can do a C2 'vette

[CarlC]

Every time I think of Eric and the mishap with his Beast parts of me just shiver, and other parts of me know that it's better to try than not. It's just sheetmetal, but the experience and memories.....

Very cool James. The OLC and RS.R adventures are something for us all to aspire to.

[James OLC]

That is honestly the reasoning behind this build Carl. The OLC is a great car but we're starting to run the car at the edge of it's safety envelope and after seeing some pretty bad "low" speed (150 mph) crashes last year I wanted to do a lower buck, better prepared car to move to the next level. It won't be as refined, nor will it have some of the creature comforts that the OLC has but it will be something that (a) will have the necessary safety equipment to run hard and (b) will be something that is "just sheet metal" should the unimaginable happen.

[johnny68]

man what do all you big name guys do for a living,, car after car going to all the big name shops this is way cool to watch as its going to be built boy im sure in dream land its great that you guys can keep the sport growing so much
john

[James OLC]

Honestly John I think that a lot of people are under the assumption that these "big name" shops have big dollar rates - in my experience they do not. For instance Best of Show - based on what I know and have seen - they have more experience with first gens then 90% of the body shops out there and are actually cheaper in the long run because they know exactly what they are doing. Plus, I have 100% confidence in their work... And that means a lot to me give the horror stories that are all too common. Sure they do some high profile jobs but they also do bread and butter jobs as well. Likewise Ironworks - Rodger does some absolutely over the top fab work but that's not in the cards for this car... But there isn't a tube they can't bend and their welding skills are second to none and since they have the time I would rather support him with my cage business than someone I don't know. I can't do cage work and I don't do body work any more so I'm going where I'm going to get the best bang or my buck.

And at the end of the day it's not the shop that is expensive... it's your ideas that add up.

[454bug]

Great project James! I truly enjoyed your OLC project but this is going to be fun as well!

This seems to be more in the vein of a "Streetfighter" build... I'm assuming no A/C, upgraded power steering, no back seat, a bunch of rollcage bars, etc...

I'm subscribed and looking forward to this one!!

[James OLC]

Yeah it will definitely be "raw" when compared to the OLC but its got a different purpose. The OLC was built to comfortably drive hour after hour after hour on the highway and then perform well on the track. The RS.R will be loud, hot and uncomfortable on long runs but will have a leg up on the track.



Figure 700 pounds lighter with a couple of hundred HP more... Jungle gym cage, liberal use if lexan and aluminum... Big fuel cell and a minimalist interior... Funky aero touches and "just ok" gaps...

It probably won't be an autocross monster but will be comfortable stretching it's legs.