pmd28
Member
So the question came up in another thread. In an effort to not hijack someone else's thread i figured i would start my own and show my 1971 camaro ss build and how quickly things can get out of hand.
So a little about myself. after about 15 years of build and racing dirt circle track cars in 2015 i sold off the entire team. As a team we had a great run but the fun was fading and it was a good time to get out.
I spent the next two years building 2 business as well as working my full time job. In 2017 i realized it was time for a new toy. I have always been a chevy guy and always loved camaros. In high school i had 2 third gens but always been a huge fan of first and early 2nd gens. The original idea here was to build a pro touring big block. nothing big but a nice solid platform. There are a lot of first gens out their and i love that split bumper look so 2nd gen it was. Took a bit but i eventually found a 1971 SS. The vehicle was for the most part complete so i thought it would be a good start (if i only knew)
It didn't take long for the project to jump off the cliff. i quickly realized for the price of a well built big block i could buy a wrecked 2016 Camaro ss to use for the driveline (and eventually the entire interior). after searching for a bit i found this gem
Getting off the trailer proved to be a challenge.
Yes the vehicle was ripped in two. and the drive walked away. vehicle only has 2000 miles. it was on the road for about 2.5 months before this happened.
Stripping began almost immediately.
This is were the project took a huge left turn. The decision was made to utilize all the current technology of the 2016 and mate it with the 1971. I wanted the modern conveniences of the new car (power seats, modern HVAC, navigation, backup camera, EVERYTHING). To accomplish this in my mind was to replace the firewall of the 1971 with the 2016. that way the steering column dash and all the components would bolt right in. cutting began.
and mating the two together
This led to another revelation. if i was going this far i might as well go full bore. I had been building chassis for circle track racing for years. this should be no different. full frame here i come. Dragged the chassis jig out of storage and started building.
So a little about myself. after about 15 years of build and racing dirt circle track cars in 2015 i sold off the entire team. As a team we had a great run but the fun was fading and it was a good time to get out.
I spent the next two years building 2 business as well as working my full time job. In 2017 i realized it was time for a new toy. I have always been a chevy guy and always loved camaros. In high school i had 2 third gens but always been a huge fan of first and early 2nd gens. The original idea here was to build a pro touring big block. nothing big but a nice solid platform. There are a lot of first gens out their and i love that split bumper look so 2nd gen it was. Took a bit but i eventually found a 1971 SS. The vehicle was for the most part complete so i thought it would be a good start (if i only knew)
It didn't take long for the project to jump off the cliff. i quickly realized for the price of a well built big block i could buy a wrecked 2016 Camaro ss to use for the driveline (and eventually the entire interior). after searching for a bit i found this gem
Getting off the trailer proved to be a challenge.
Yes the vehicle was ripped in two. and the drive walked away. vehicle only has 2000 miles. it was on the road for about 2.5 months before this happened.
Stripping began almost immediately.
This is were the project took a huge left turn. The decision was made to utilize all the current technology of the 2016 and mate it with the 1971. I wanted the modern conveniences of the new car (power seats, modern HVAC, navigation, backup camera, EVERYTHING). To accomplish this in my mind was to replace the firewall of the 1971 with the 2016. that way the steering column dash and all the components would bolt right in. cutting began.
and mating the two together
This led to another revelation. if i was going this far i might as well go full bore. I had been building chassis for circle track racing for years. this should be no different. full frame here i come. Dragged the chassis jig out of storage and started building.
