Smooth and Subtle
The 1970-1981 Camaro is a super popular choice for customizers and speed demons alike as the second generation offers both style and toughness to go along with its ability to accept gobs of horsepower to become either a monster on the streets or a giant on the track. With the year span being so long, a quick trip down Craig’s List lane will find one at a decent price for your next project.
For owner Garth Hammonds, this 1970 Camaro holds a lot of memories for him. First off, he has had the car since he was 18 years old (the vintage rumbler made for great cruising with his friends) and after he helped his father restore a ’74 Duster. The bug had bit him and he had to have a classic of his own. After the fire was lit, he had a plan of attack of how he’d build his Chevy. But that would change as so many of us know all too well.
Built to Drive
Garth was a dyed-in-the-wool car guy so the Camaro fit his persona, he had also joined the staff at TMI in early 2014 so his dreams of getting the ’70 restored was beginning to take shape. At first he just wanted to get the car back to its former glory, doing more of a budget minded restoration. But the idea of getting a custom interior really set the plans for a full-blown custom that had roots in autocross.
TMI and Garth settled on the Pro Series Universal Sport-XR Highback series of seats in Light Yellow Metallic with Perforated Black on the seat back, and suede inserts, with black stitching all around and signature TMI grommets for the driver and passenger, and a matching bench for the rear. A full length center console with cupholders was also created, matching molded door panels, as well as a custom dash pad. Once Garth started to see the interior come together, he was really glad he let himself get talked into this route.
A 350 With More
The tried and true small block was left largely intact but received a host of upgrades to give it a little more oomph. Starting on top is a K&N filter, D.U.I. ignition, Taylor plug wires and a set of Doug Thorley headers that feed a Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust kit. Keeping the engine cool is a Champion radiator with a set of Perma-Cool fans, while an Optima battery makes sure this beast fires up, and a set of Eddie Motorsports billet aluminum hood hinges rounds out the engine bay.
Keeping in Line
To give the Camaro more prowess on the autocross track, it is fitted with UMI Performance Second-Gen tubular Camaro control arms, Viking dual adjustable coilovers to help lower and stiffen up the suspension, while a Pro-Forged steering linkage was installed to keep all that added power in check. The rear got another set of Viking dual adjust adjustable shocks, and lowering blocks to aid in getting the center of gravity down a bit more. A full disk brake setup from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation sit behind a quartet of Forged Union Laguna wheels with powdercoated gloss black hoops and flat black spokes all wrapped up in grippy Continental tires.
First Impressions
Garth was happy the way his ’70 was turning out, and he had an ace in the hole for the paint. His father, Johny just happened to professional custom painter and a master at body work. The father and son duo tore into it cleaning up the body, shaving the drip rails and front marker lamps, and finally adding Honda Civic door handles for a smoother look. After countless hours shaving, sanding, and priming, the Camaro was ready for Johny to shoot the Mini Cooper Thunder Blue Metallic on the body and Dynacorn cowl induction hood. With the paint dry, the team went back and sprayed the Camaro Metallic Yellow stripe to almost perfectly match the interior.
Needless to say, Garth was extremely happy with the way his ’70 had turned out. And TMI was so happy with the way his interior turned out; the Camaro had a featured spot in their SEMA booth in 2013 where hundreds of show goers stopped by to admire the fine work
