67 Camaro and Story Time

[Shiro666]

Hey Pro Touring,

My damn car is finally drivable and on the road. I can barely contain myself.

The story begins back in 2003. My father turned 50, lost his mind and quit his job after 25 years as an executive in the textile industry. He thought that it would be a great idea to purchace a bankrupt horse farm and make it a sucess. My father has horse experience, but is not mechanically inclined. He asked me to help and as would any good son, I agreed. The deal included garage space. shop space and a bunk. Finally having a place for a project, I purchaced my dream car from a guy named "Do-Do" who wrote the bill of sale on the corner of a piece of legal paper that also had part of a grocery list. He signed it "Do-Do".

Fast forward one year. We had 25 horses boarded, no employees and managed to burn through 250,000 dollars and were pretty much broke. The place was falling down and it was the coldest winter I could remember. If anyone has worked 12 hour days outside during the winter in Maine, you know what I mean. My grandma would bring us bargain meat when we had no food.

The only salvation for me was to sit on the floor of my non-running Camaro, drink beers and make "vroom-vroom" noises. I messed around with it and would buy parts when I could, but I was devoted to making the Farm a sucess and working on my own custom knife business.

Fast forward five years. The farm was in the black and looking pretty nice. One day some people from California stopped by for some riding lessions. They liked the place so much they made an offer. My dad and I decided that we had enough of the horse industry and sold it. Now garageless, the Camaro sat in storage untill Jake of Jakes Hot Rods PM'd me asking if I had any plans for the car. Seemed like fate.

Jake made the car functional with an AAW kit, Autometer Gauges, stock style power front discs and fabbed up seat mounts. Jake also installed the DSE 3" drop leafs that were formerly on the Twist Machine yellow car as well as new shocks all around. It has a fairly tired 350/350 combo right now that smokes a bit but moves the car dow the road just fine. Wheels and tires are the MB Motoring/C-57 in 17x8 and 17x9.5. They look pretty sharp for the money.

Future plans include quick ratio steering box, shoulder belts and the little doo dads that make a car look more finished. I have a 454 being freshened up for next season. I am on the lookout for a manual trans of some sort. Some more original baging is in the works as well.

Sorry for the long winded post. I felt like I had to create a context for what this means to me to finally drive and enjoy.

Cheers,

Shiro

[Happyfunballs]

Well done!

[ZZ427]

Looking Good , keep at it .

[texasdvldog]

Looks good! Was this car originally an RS? (Backup lights on the bottom)

[Dandale]

Great dads are awesome, when you have one you feel invincable and proud to be called son

[rlplive]

Nice

[Josue]

VERY cool story! Makes the end result well worth it...

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

^ take notes kid...


and Shiro.. you make Do-do proud.

[Jim Nilsen]

Congratulations and it is good to know things are well, the car looks beautiful and the wheels really work with it very well. You could lend me your wheels for a couple of pics and you might not get them back,lol.

Go for every ride you can to get it warmed up and have fun to get it broke in.

[venturabeachpup]

A story worth telling. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with texasdvldog. You may have a RS camaro. (also tail lights all red). Lookin good!

[Shiro666]

Thanks Guys,

I really apreciate all the comments. I have lived vicariously through all you guys while my car hibernated. This project would certainly not be so far along without this site as a resource.

Texasdvldog and venturabeachpup; I am pretty sure it is not an RS. The tailpan is poorly grafted on and I would assume the tail lights came from the same doner car. This car has been through a lot owners, I am told.

Dandale; Yes, my Dad is awesome. Working shoulder to shoulder all day and living with the same person tests any relationship, and we are better friends for it.

Jim; The wheels turned out to be a great choice. They will do untill I can afford some of those yummy new mesh Rushforths.

Mr. V.; I am sure Do-Do is proud, wherever he is. I interrupted his morning beer (9:30 AM) to buy the car.

I am driving it as much as I can, as it has to be in storage by this weekend. Thanks again for all of the comments.

Cheers,

Shiro

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

even the mailbox is green with envy.

im sure he is.. hell this thread interrupted my morning 151 shot and its 930 am.

[Shiro666]

If you can't do your job drunk, than you can't do your job.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

right!

im known around these parts by the name of Sam Seed.

[Shiro666]

Friggin' love Drunkin Master!

[raf0419]

Great read! Well done. Glad to hear you've got it up and running.