Building the ultimate street car - 1969 Camaro

Overview of what I have done to the car so far and what my long-term goals are. I want to build this car into the ultimate street/track car.
Let me know what you think of the car so far.
Tools, Gear, and Parts used: www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
Follow me on Instagram / classicoctane
Music: Dave Keller soundcloud.com/davekeller
All videos posted to the Classic Octane KZbin Channel are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Classic Octane, LLC highly recommends that you engage with a professional mechanic when conducting repairs on your motorcycle. Classic Octane, LLC assumes no liability for anything you choose to do to your motorcycle before or after watching one of the videos or utilizing the content from this KZbin. All repairs or modifications you perform to your motorcycle are made at your own risk. All content is on the Classic Octane KZbin Channel is exclusively owned and copyrighted by Classic Octane. Any illegal reproduction of this content is a violation of the law.

[@kanervatie]

You're driving my dream car! :) What a beauty. The color, the wheels, the stance, the hockey stick decals.

[@dinujayapathirana5152]

same here , love the '69 camaros

[@jimthomas777]

the 69 Camaro is just one of my dream cars , the first is the 66 Chevelle SS , second is a 55 Chevy and third is the 69 Camaro , then 70 Nova , then a 96 V-8 powered S-10 , then ....

[@timvitale]

Loving these videos man. You're doing everything I want to be doing right now! I showed the clip to my wife where you were talking about racing it and then it being nice enough in the interior for her to get in it to go to date night and she laughed because it's true. She hated my previous project car and hoping to get my own Hugger 69 Camaro in the next few years to do exactly what you are.

[@victorhawkins3461]

Excellent! Great plans for your ride. Personally, I'm glad you'll still be throwing in some bike content, too. I appreciate all your hard work.

[@ClassicOctane]

Don't worry there will still be plenty of bike content on the channel!

[@rrz464]

Awesome start. I too just bought my dream (69 Camaro) at 28. Looking forward to following your build!

[@twolaneblacktop8034]

Looks like an awesome project, I worked for GM during its Gen 5 rebirth in Canada, love the old ones, looking forward to seeing it's progress.

[@ups3357]

Sweet car!! That's my dream car!, Awesome video

[@GETUPANDGO]

Badass car man, one of my favorite cars

[@newanarchy5550]

So excited for this project! Please keep posting! You just became my favorite channel on KZbin lol!

[@SendingStache]

stoked for this project!

[@IvanLuketina]

Love your style man, cafe racers, old muscle cars and Chuck Taylor's!

[@MrRavenscout]

Gorgeous! Out of my broke college student budget, but congratulations on achieving your dream. Stay at it!

[@johnwells9077]

I did this in 1976 with a 69 original 307 4-speed. My favorite car ever in terms of driving memories. I built a 350 LT-1 and dropped it in, added cowl induction hood, spoilers, etc., rolled and knocked out the rear wells and lowered the car almost 2 inches to accept really wide radials all the way around and beefed up the suspension-- long before that was popular. Lived way out west and back then and burned out entire tanks of gas on numerous occasions going cross country for hours and never dropped below 100 mph. It would go faster but the car like settle in at 120 mph. You have to have the front spoiler though over 90 mph on the highway or the front will float. And you I found by trial and error I had to drop the front end so the spoiler is only about 2 inches off the ground to kill the float. I found any higher than that and air will get under the car which can get (really) scary. But count on breaking the front spoiler off regularly if you lower it and also use it as a street car. I loved it but using it as a daily driver the car was never really finished it was always under constant 'improvement.' I liked the 2 1/2 inch dual exhaust with turbo mufflers and with the LT-1's high duration cam and solid lifters it sounded absolutely killer. People would just stare at stop lights, even back then. I did a full cowl induction cut out and sealed the air box to the hood so it ran full time on 100% cold air - the intake sound was absolutely addictive. I had raced motorcycles so going through the mountains it was full throttle whenever possible, I found I could twitch the Camaro with the steering wheel into a four wheel draft at about 100 mph to scrub speed going into mountain corners (very little traffic back then). I had four friends with 240z s and an early 911 and only the 911 could keep up in corners and all just disappeared given any straightaway. I did however get stopped by the cops regularly at least 3-4 times a year and got a lot of tickets. Although I'd love to have another for a Saturday cruiser, today in my opinion there are far superior more modern options if you really want a good handling car. I Totaled it in 1979, spun backwards into a guard rail on a mountain road. Guy that bought it rebuilt it into a dedicated track car. A base modern Camaro will eat it alive in turns or on a road course. I've since owned a number of European performance cars. The early Camaros are really a really just a Nova with a coupe body and dangerous when pushed. They had their day but front suspension isn't all that great and by today's standards the rear suspension is like a pick up truck. I spun mine a number of times and was mostly lucky. Today I'd build the Camaro to be a cruiser. Beautiful car - I hope some of this is of use.

[@cleonicp]

She is beautiful man! mine is a 67 … cheers !

[@ampcamaro]

Nice project car ,love it.

[@TurboBoostin312]

Awesome plan for the car, man!

[@lcrgarage3245]

Very nice. Will be following.

[@YGINW]

Cool bike. I can see you're really into classics.

[@finnj9761]

I like the ideas for the car , i can't wait for the new video's

[@slackerman9758]

Cool ride! I have a 69 in Austin as well, and have gone with an LS3. Look forward to seeing your other videos.

[@FlipFlopandFly]

Beautiful car!

[@cruiserf1508]

I like it. But it looks like it's already built. But it's badass. Love it.

[@jonwheels6917]

dat thing so clean. no doubt....

[@KhaiMahase]

My dad has 2 camaros. I like yours. My dad has a 1969 z/28 Camaro all original and a 1969 ss Camaro convertible that was originally stolen in 1982 I think. He got it back but everything was taken. He had 2 mustangs. He has a 68 and 69 Mach 1 Red mustang. They both got stolen after 3 days of owning it.

[@frankmendoza6337]

Beautiful car 👍👍👍👍

[@ClassicOctane]

Thanks Frank!

[@charlesware3698]

I have a 68 camaro 427 car.. that we daily drive.. we just picked up a 69 camaro basket case.. .. going to be LS3 crate .good luck great video.

[@davidlandry912]

Just subscribed, great ideas that I can use for my 69 Camaro!

[@elwaupo1]

I have a 69 to, looking forward to the progress

[@marcocardenas8014]

Going through the same process with similar plan and slightly ahead of you. 454 BBC with TKO600 5-Speed, Detroit Speed Quadra-Link rear suspension and Stage 2 Kit up front with the stock subframe. Kore3 C6 Z06 Brakes front and rear. Plan to add a Procharger D-1X and FiTech Fuel Injection after I finish the mini-tubs and suspension. Look forward to following your build as I'm sure you will surpass me quickly.

[@ClassicOctane]

Wow, sounds like you have an awesome build so far.

[@fernandoconde9892]

My dream car😍.keep it pro touring style

[@rustyspoons992]

My old man used to have a 1969 SS camaro 396/th400/12 bolt. It was a show car, eventually he got bored of that. Now we have a nova with nitrous and a pro street camaro with a full tub that does wheelies, all for less than the price of the show car lol.

[@benjaminhale4364]

oh man how i wish i was you in that 69 camaro beautiful car

[@rogo2287]

Iam building my 69 camaro as well. I dont plan to autocross it. I have found myself going back and forth on big block power and LS power. LS is great but BBC is also very cool. Bottom line will be budget. Thats the way it is for regular folk. If your budget is unlimited go with LS and build using all the best components

[@SmellsLikeGASOLINE]

Why installing so huge tires? Is it really mandatory?

[@antonjansson9163]

love it

[@briantayler1230]

G'Day, GM made the same car in Australia as the Holden Monaro, much rarer, and more valuable. They can fetch up to $200,000 US, and a rough fixer upper in pieces, from $30,000US.

[@jjuarezzzzz]

Do you have the links to both the lizard skin and what you used for the sound insulation? Thanks!

[@newanarchy5550]

you should look into Fays2 watts link for the rear!!!

[@mlp-hot-rod5824]

Why get a heavy cast iron truck engine? I know the aluminium engines are pricier, but that weight loss makes a big difference to the balance and handling of the front end. A stock LS6 or LS2 sounds perfect for what you have in mind.

[@sorb4425]

I don't know if my dad has this camaro, but he has one of the old ones.

[@wanzhaf932]

My dream car is mustang fastback...and i lives in malaysia...really expensive af...but my alternative to that is celica ta27 engine swap with 2jz....for half of the price but still expensive for me....but one day....for sure...

[@austincalderwood2688]

what schroth belts did you get

[@JC-rn6gh]

How often do you refill gas while daily driving it?

[@WolfpackRides]

Sweet man! Check out some of our rides!

[@AGPullen]

This should have an independent suspension in the rear!

[@Caddyman416]

Where did u purchase the camaro from was it dealer or individual?

[@ClassicOctane]

From an individual. Found the car in Dallas.

[@AAS-gw5mb]

How much did you pay for the car looking for one myself and wondering what I will be expecting to pay for one in a similar condition as yours

[@ClassicOctane]

Paid 16K for the car as a painted roller with no interior that ran enough to get on a trailer but was not road worthy.

[@trevanricks1032]

Could you use this car to drive on a daily ? & it is stick shift right ?

[@ClassicOctane]

Definitely, people drive this everyday for many years. That being said I don't plan to drive it daily until I get it a little more reliable and some AC for the Texas summers.

[@trevanricks1032]

Classic Octane would I be able to switch to automatic transmission? And what about gas what does it take

[@timvitale]

Curious to how much you picked this up for? I'd be looking for one in this exact condition. A decent driver that I can slowly upgrade and make into a nice driver with an LS swap. Pro Touring, not interested in all original 60k price tag vehicles.

[@ClassicOctane]

Paid 16k for the car with no interior, stock worn out suspension/brakes, and dry rotted tires on stock 14" wheels. I have close to double that in the car now.

[@timvitale]

Classic Octane that awesome man. Where did you find the car? The price range I wanted to be in was 20k or less so that’s perfect. I’ve been searching CL and eBay and such but everything is 30-40k+.

[@ClassicOctane]

Found the car on Craigslist in Dallas. It was listed without a price and took two weeks of calls and emails to get the owner to respond. Prices have definitely gone up in the last year. I wouldn't sell the car for less than 35K as it sits now.

[@moro1112]

Timothy Vitale look up maple motors they sell all kinds of muscle cars, just don’t ls swap the camaro, but a big block inside of it instead. Put a nice 572 with a turbo, you will forget what an ls engine is.

[@anishpatel2312]

yo brother whats the price from start to finish??

[@ClassicOctane]

Not totally sure. I'm in it for north of 30K how it sits now and that's before I change out the whole drivetrain (LS, T56,and 9")

[@sharkcitywarrior5485]

Car looks good What back spacing are the wheels ?

[@ClassicOctane]

Fronts are 18x8 with 5" BS Rears are 18x10 with 5.5" BS

[@tjed1071]

Do you realize those wheels you have in the rear will not work in the front when you get 13" aftermarket brakes? You'll need something like 18X10 with 7" or even 7.5" of backspace.

[@TYLERbuilt]

@@tjed1071 Do you realize that Ridech recommends a 18x10 with 5.75” backspace if running the truturn setup and wanting a 10” wheel up front on a first gen Camaro

[@tjed1071]

@@TYLERbuilt I know they recommend that but don’t order wheels with only 5.75” backspace or you’ll end up like me reordering front wheels, borrow wheels from somebody first and try them. I had Baer brakes on my 69, 5.75 did not work.

[@TheHawkTheHawk]

😲

[@nikoxxx1486]

Wow khalid's car lol

[@thatguycalledart6270]

aha, the old n+1 rule , the number of vehicles you want is always n+1, (n being the number youcurrently have)

[@charlesware3698]

Throw the eng away. And do the LS with a tremic 6 speed.

[@thatguycalledart6270]

then again, you spent more on those wheels than I do on entire projects..... the reason I don't delve into car shit

[@EP1CNELSON]

Been saving for a long time, just can't find a good one.

[@jackhandy3360]

No kids and toys he probably can't check the oil level in. Impressive.

[@danieltzaj1437]

My biggest concern about owning a muscle car is how safe are they? ( god forbid me being in a accident)

[@ClassicOctane]

Definitely nowhere near as safe as a modern car but safer than a motorcycle. :-)

[@moro1112]

You will need a roll cage. With some padding, so you don’t crack your head open. These cars have a unibody and don’t crumple like the new cars. No air bags no modern seat belt, no abs, lol 😂 you crash and you die !! I love these cars but definitely invest in a roll cage

[@slackerman9758]

After 1967, they have collapsible steering columns, lap and shoulder safety belts and dual circuit brake systems by law. In 60's, before that, shoulder belts fairly rare.

[@jericho.laflare]

I bought *your dream car

[@bigmoneyjackson2385]

ss or rs?

[@ClassicOctane]

It's an ss.

[@H4rleyBoy]

My dream car, but too expensive, panel gaps are horrendous on some model, I notice your drivers door is bad.

[@ClassicOctane]

It's on the long list of things I still wan't to take care of on the car.

[@wreckemtech165]

I want one but the one I want is 41k😣

[@HG-uu4bb]

How much did you pay for the car

[@ClassicOctane]

Bought the car for 16K with no interior and worn out brakes and suspension. It was barely able to drive onto the trailer at that point.

[@TheBrooklynHustle]

How do you afford these toys?!

[@ClassicOctane]

My wife and I both have good jobs and a distinct lack of children.

[@shyyphotography]

we call this a DINK - double income, no kids

[@skullsandflames123]

Gah. My 6yo sure put a dent in my toys. But I wouldn't trade him for anything.

[@mcbm22]

No wife No kids and I own a restoration shop is how I afford my toy collection...

[@laddwehunt5563]

I have a Shelby mustang and a 1969 Camaro

[@zacharytbarber]

Nice build, I am going down the same path. Any recommendations or lessons learned i should take away from your build? If you want to see my progress thus far i can be found on instagram @ rustysigns_

[@deeremeyer1749]

Nice "replica" so-called "'69 Camaro" you "built" from what is actually a "replica" FIREBIRD body.

[@ClassicOctane]

Haha 😂 ummm what? I guess I got a “replica” clean Texas title with matching vin stamps too....

[@BlackLocustMusic]

$500 per rim is NOT affordable. Where do you get the money for that car ? Be honest.

[@tjed1071]

BlackLocustMusic he ment affordable compared to Forged line wheels, those are about $1200-$1400 per wheel depending on model.