1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Restomod

Description

This drop-dead gorgeous 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Restomod is summer fun done right. A very impressive build in every possible way, it's beautiful to look at and with all the right modifications, it's downright amazing to drive. It may look like a show car (and by several measures it's exactly that), but with the upgraded hardware under the skin, you're going to have a hard time staying out of the driver's seat.

Taken apart and rebuilt from the sheetmetal on up, this beautiful and sporty Camaro is even better in person than it is in photos, and that's no small achievement. Paint this shiny doesn't happen by accident, so dozens and dozens of hours were spent sanding, smoothing, and aligning the panels before even a drop went on. The color itself is pretty close to the Chevy Camaro's Cortez Silver that would be introduced just a year later (although it's a bit lighter), and it has a subtle twist in the form of a slightly darker silver stripe on the cowl hood and deck lid, which are aptly separated by a red outline that matches the interior and really pops. Instead of over-dressing the car, all the custom touches that were added feel more subtle on the Camaro's classic body, including the chin spoiler and aforementioned cowl hood, the blacked-out SS grill, and the ducktail spoiler and SS gas cap out back. The expert workmanship speaks for itself, and although it's not a trailer queen to be gawked at a in a museum, this droptop is definitely a top-end driver with off-the-charts curb appeal. At this point, it doesn't really matter whether it is an original SS, but 'SS' and '350' badges have been installed in all the usual spots and let everyone know exactly what time it is. Nice chrome bumpers fore and aft (including bumper guards out back) highlight the bright silver paint and all the remaining stainless was either polished or replaced when the car went back together during the restoration.

If you're building a Camaro, you really can't go wrong with the exotic look of silver-over-red, and in a convertible, bright red vinyl seat covers are a welcome upgrade from the usual bland all-black found in most 1st generation F-body cars. But don't fret, it's not bright red overkill inside the cabin, as there's plenty of black on the dash, center console, and door panels to off-set all that vibrant crimson. Virtually everything inside this car is new, including the upgraded front seats (borrowed from a late model) and the beautifully upholstery that adorns them, the matching rear bench, plush red carpets, custom black door panels with chrome accents, and the gorgeous leather-rimmed steering wheel that highlights the car's restomod attitude. The dash was painted black and topped with a matching black pad, and a custom carbon-fiber trimmed bezel was filled with AutoMeter gauges that keep a keen eye on the hot motor under the hood. There's also a factory center console adorned with woodgrain trim that houses a sought-after horseshoe shifter, and it manages an upgraded 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission below. Options include a full R134a A/C system, tilt wheel, an AM/FM/Cassette stereo, and seatbelts fore and aft. The black convertible top is about the only part of the car that shows any age, but it still fits so well that it feels wrong to put it down and wrinkle it further, but don't worry, you'll likely prefer to keep it down and stowed away underneath the red vinyl boot anyway, because after all, is there anything that looks better than a droptop vintage Camaro? Out back, the surprisingly spacious trunk was outfitted with replacement plaid mats, further proof that nothing was overlooked in the build of this beauty.

For power, there's a healthy 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood that's running great, topped with QuickFuel 4-barrel carb and aluminum intake, and what sounds like an upgraded cam that gives it an awesome idle and plenty of mid-range punch. But perhaps more significant than the engine's specs is the high-tech look of the engine bay itself, which was carefully disassembled and each component was painted or polished, right down to the super-clean painted inner fenders and firewall. Plenty of billet aluminum and chrome adds some sparkle and the overall look is modern and clean with the serpentine belt system and chrome pulleys. The suspension has been completely overhauled to help the car handle like a modern sports car, including a C4 Corvette set-up in the front complete with a big sway bar, custom A-arms, power rack-and-pinion steering, and coilovers, and out back there's 4-link set-up with coilvers. Stopping power comes via Corvette power 4-wheel disc brakes, while the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission mated to the engine is the perfect pick for a Restomod built to cruise long distances. Long-tube headers feed a custom X-pipe dual exhaust system give it a great sound and the undercarriage was finished to match the level of engine bay, so you should probably figure out a way to show it off, because it looks fantastic. Cool staggered U.S. Mags wheels have a modern look and wear 235/45/17 front and 255/45/18 rear performance radials with plenty of grip.

Fast, fun, and incredibly good-looking, this droptop Restomod is a dialed-in vintage cruiser with all the right moves. Cars like this never last long, call today!