Parts sales, servicing, modifying, and restoring Gen-I and Gen-II Camaros can help you rake in more profits.
Although the Chevrolet Camaro may currently be on production hiatus with GM (1967-2002), this certainly hasn't stopped thousands of dedicated Camaro followers from enjoying one of the most celebrated pony cars in American motoring. In fact, it may have even helped make the breed all that much more collectible, especially when you're talking about Gen-1-and Gen-II-model Camaros.
From the get go, Camaros have always been hot rods. That's a given. There's nothing like banging gears behind the wheel of an early-model Camaro at the local drag strip.Within the past decade, Camaro restoration has become a steadily increasing market segment, especially when it comes to the more collectible Camaros, like the SS, Z-28, Indy 500 Pace Cars, Yenko, Dick Harrell-Fred Gibb, Motion Performance, Berger, and DANA Chevrolet models. Companies like Classic Industries Parts & Accessories, Dynacorn International, Inc., Goodmark Industries, and Year One make it possible for local mechanic and body shops alike to specialize in Camaro restoration by providing the industry with top-quality, officially licensed GM Restoration Parts.
THE SUPER CAR WORKSHOP
With a tongue-in-cheek billing as the "Last Restoration Shop On Earth," Latrobe, Pennsylvania's Super Car Workshop is one of the most well known Camaro and GM muscle-car restoration shops in the country."After working out of our garage for many years, Brian (Henderson) and I opened up the Super Car Workshop in June 1995," said partner Joe Swezey. "Our first restoration was a 1969 Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car convertible with a four-speed. Our corporate philosophy is that any collectible Camaro should be properly restored to the highest level possible. That's our goal with each and every car."
Swezey and Henderson restore at least three classic Camaros a year on average, with the guys showing a strong preference for '69 models."That's our favorite car," Swezey recently told us while photographing Chris Short's 1969 Jack Douglass/Yenko Camaro at this year's Yenko Sportscar Club's (SYC) Supercar Reunion-X. "However, we are starting to get a number of 1967-68 Camaro restoration jobs. Right now, we're just finishing up on a 1967 Yenko Camaro. We've also got Don Yenko's 1968 Camaro prototype undergoing a full restoration and an extremely rare 1968 DANA 427 Camaro with 1,719 original miles on the odometer. This is probably one of the rarest Camaro muscle cars in existence."
Striving for total accuracy, Swezey and Henderson use as many NOS Camaro parts as they can on their restorations, but that's not always possible."Just because it's NOS doesn't always mean that it's technically correct. Some later-issue NOS Camaro parts aren't always correct. When that happens, we turn to the classic Camaro restoration parts aftermarket, which has come a long way (on quality) in recent years," Swezey said.
CLASSIC INDUSTRIES PARTS & ACCESSORIES
When it comes to classic Camaro restoration parts, Huntington, Beach, California's Classic Industries Parts & Accessories is considered to be one of the "big dogs on the block," according to Classic Industries CEO Mark Vogt.
Classic Industries Parts & Accessories was originally started in the late 1970s by Camaro enthusiast and entrepreneur Jeff Leonard out of his Palm Springs, California, garage. Leonard had worked out a deal with ACME Headliner Company to sew together classic Camaro carpeting for him using original GM patterns and the same cut pile carpeting originally used by the factory. Once Leonard placed an ad in HOT ROD magazine advertising classic Camaro carpeting, he was off and running.While sales were promising, Leonard's enterprise got a much-needed shot in the arm after HOT ROD magazine's editors asked Leonard to participate in a classic Camaro project car buildup series.
"That's when things really started to take off," commented Vogt as he held up a 928-page catalog about the size of a local telephone directory. "Shortly thereafter, we published our first Camaro parts catalogue, which has grown by leaps and bounds every year."
Inside the latest edition, thousands of Camaro products can be found ranging from wear items like classic carpeting, to complete floor pans, and the smallest rubber grommet for the glove box door; each item reproduced to exacting tolerances."Over the years, there have been a number of inferior-quality reproduction parts released on the market made by people or companies who aren't necessarily concerned about quality. To help grow the market, we manufacture over 5,000 items under a generic name called Original Equipment Reproductions (OER). It's our way of controlling what gets reproduced, and that it gets reproduced properly," Vogt said.
"One of the things we like to do is promote the fact that we test each and every part personally. We will not accept anything less than the highest-quality parts available. The OER label also allows Classic Industries Parts & Accessories to be able to sell these products to our competitors without conflict of interest.""We're probably one of the largest General Motors Restoration Parts licensee's in the country. That relationship has been very beneficial for both GM and us and we look forward to working with GM on other future projects."
Classic Industries is also a member of SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO). In recent years, Classic Industries has branched out into Firebird, Nova, Impala, and Chevy truck reproduction parts lines.
"With continued success, we've been able to add these product lines. However, the bulk of our business (more than 50 percent) is still Camaro, with the Gen-I cars taking up approximately 30-40 percent of that," Vogt said.
BIG BOYS AND THEIR TOYS
Not surprisingly, the high-performance and restoration parts segments of the Camaro aftermarket are only rivaled in sales and profit potential by Mustang; or, is it even greater? You be the judge.
ENGINES: With the Camaro powered by two of the most popular high-performance small-block and big-block V-8 engines of all time, a myriad high-performance engine parts and drivetrain components are available, including carburetors, camshafts, intake manifolds, exhaust headers, ignition systems, cylinder heads, connecting rods, pistons, engine stroker kits, complete engine assemblies, you name it.Participating SEMA manufacturers like Edelbrock, Holley, COMP Cams, Crane, Barry Grant-Demon Carburetion, Iskenderian, TFS, Weiand, Hooker, Doug's Headers, World Products, MSD, K&N, Flowmaster, and numerous other brand names make high-performance engine and driveline parts for these cars. So, why not order a complete crate engine?
In recent years, the crate-engine segment of the high-performance automotive aftermarket has made huge inroads with Camaro being one of the top recipients. Crate engines offer a number of advantages:
- Price. The sum total of the whole is more often than not considerably less than buying and installing parts piece meal.
- Piece of mind. No more problems in dealing with the local machine shops or engine builders.
- Overall quality. Most crate engines are built using all-new engine components and, in many cases, are fully warranted against defects in parts and workmanship.
- Conveyance. All one has to do is pick up the telephone or log on to the Internet, place an order, and the crate engine is on its way. Key players in the high-performance crate-engine aftermarket segment include Edelbrock, GM Performance Parts-Mr. Goodwrench, Smeding Performance, Street & Performance Inc., Summit, JEGS, Shaver Racing Engines, and World Products.
In recent years, manual transmissions have made a noticeable comeback, especially with the release of the fifth-gear/overdrive models, like the Corvette-inspired BorgWarner T56 five-speed, which could be found on Gen-IV Camaro models. The overdrive feature on these transmissions tends to smooth out and civilize Camaro street machines running extremely low (high numerical) rear-end (final drive) gear ratios. Participating companies, like Keisler, Tremec, Richmond Gear, etc., sell these state-of-the-art five-speed manual gearboxes and compatible clutch assemblies from Centerforce, McLeod, and Zoom are also available.
Four types of rear ends are generally used beneath early-model Camaro street machines. First, there is the OE GM 10-bolt or the heavy-duty GM 12-bolt rear end. However, while some Camaro owners prefer the DANA series rear ends, the most popular rear end of choice by serious Camaro performance enthusiasts is the Ford 9-inch live rear axle, whether it's a modified OE version, an aftermarket unit like Currie Enterprises' 9+, or the Track 9. Participating companies include Currie Enterprises, Mark Williams Enterprises, Strange Engineering, Tom's Differentials, Precision Gear, and Moser Engineering.SUSPENSION: Aftermarket suspensions for Gen-I and Gen-II Camaros generally fall into two categories: mild and wild. Serious street-performance enthusiasts looking to lower their cars and/or improve ride and handling have a number of suspension components available, like upper control arm kits, coil over shocks, dropped front spindles, heavy-duty anti-sway bars, spring kits, etc. Companies like McGaughy's, Fatman Fabrications, Global West, Heidt's, Hotchkiss, L.A. Speed, SPC Performance, Just Suspension, Aldan Eagle Shocks, and others specialize in these products.
However, if you're really serious about Camaro performance, you may want to consider upgrading your Gen-I or Gen-II Camaro to a complete front sub-frame and front suspension system like a Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Chassis Engineering, Competition Engineering, Fatman Fabrications, Heidt's, JEGS, L.A. Speed, or some other brand of custom front sub frame. Steering upgrades are also available from companies like Flaming River, Heidt's, or Unisteer Performance Products.Since the uni-body construction Camaro is so susceptible to cracking from excessive engine torque and the fact tire size seems to be a big factor these days, either "mini-tubing," or "back-halving" one of these cars is common practice.
Complete rear sub frames (set up with narrowed rear ends and either ladder bar or four-link coil-over rear suspension) are available from leading manufacturers like Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Chassis Engineering, Competition Engineering, JEGS, etc. This also goes for roll bars and roll cages.
SMILE WHEN YOU CALL IT DETROIT IRON
Introduced in October 1966, the all-new 1967 Chevrolet Camaro was designed and engineered to go head-to-head with the very successful two-year-old Ford Mustang. Straight out of the gate, the Camaro was a sales success. In the first year, Chevrolet built a total of 220,906 units.
That first year, three models were offered starting with the baseline coupe or convertible, which could be had with anything from a 140-155-hp, 230-250-cubic-inch inline six to the a 210-hp, 327-cubic-inch small-block V-8, backed up by either a GM Powerglide automatic or three-or four-speed manual transmission.Then there was the Camaro SS, which could be ordered with either a L30 327-cubic-inch V-8 or L48 350-cubic-inch V-8 engine, again, backed up by either a Powerglide automatic or three-or four-speed manual gearbox.
The mid-year Z-28 model was powered by a 290-hp 302-cubic-inch small-block with a four-speed manual transmission only. Later that year, Chevy offered the SS 396 Camaro, equipped with either an L35 or L78 big-block and backed up by either a GM TH350 automatic or Muncie M21 (rock crusher) four-speed manual transmission.
Camaro's first year in the marketplace was noteworthy. There was also a limited-edition-release Indy 500 Camaro Pace Car, along with limited-edition releases from the privateer sector, like Dick-Harrell-Yenko Chevrolet, Bill-Thomas-Nickey Chevrolet, and others.
Quite predictably, the Camaro proved to be a strong competitor on the race track with the likes of Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins' 1967 Camaro SS/C winning class at the NHRA Winternationals and Super Stock Eliminator at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indy.
HOW MUCH CAMARO YOU WANT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH DRIVER YOU WANT TO BE
To commemorate Camaro's second year in production in 1968, GM's runaway bestseller (235,147 sold) featured only minor styling changes in the grill, taillights, and exterior trim areas. After all, why mess with success?Powertrains included the 230-and 250-cubic-inch L22 inline six and 210-hp, 327 V-8 in the baseline cars; the 275-hp, 327-cubic-inch L30; the 295-hp, 350-cubic-inch L348 in the SS model; and the 290-hp, 302-cubic-inch/four-speed Camaro Z-28. If that wasn't enough, Camaro SS was also available with and a total of four, count 'em, four big-block Chevy engines starting with the 325-hp, L35/396-cubic-inch big-block; the 350-hp, 396-cubic-inch L34 big block; the 375-hp, 396-cubic-inch L78 big block; and the 375-hp, 396-cubic-inch L89 Chevrolet big block.
To add to the excitement, Chevrolet dealers, like Yenko, DANA, Nickey, Baldwin-Motion, and Dick-Harrell-Fred Gibb Chevrolet, offered specialty models equipped with various incarnations of the L72 427 Corvette big block.
In 1968, Camaros set records everywhere, with one of the most noteworthy being the Sunoco Camaro Trans Am Z-28 of Mark Donahue (driver) and Roger Penske (builder), which wrestled the SCCA Trans-Am Manufacturer's Championship away from Carroll Shelby and Ford.
WE'LL TAKE ON ANY TWO CARS IN THIS MAGAZINE!
That was a direct quote from a ROAD & TRACK magazine advertisement, which was more than fitting when describing the "new for '69" Chevrolet Camaro featuring updated styling (the 1969 model was said to be the most popular Camaro of all time), two new models, and a slew of exciting new powertrain combinations.
Once again, Camaro owners could purchase the baseline model with the aforementioned 230-or 250-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engines. However, this year, the baseline Camaro could also be had with a new 307-cubic-inch V-8 engine rated at 210 hp, along with a 210-hp, LF3 327 V-8. Joining the SS was the new Rally Sport (RS), which was really a styling/décor group package and could be ordered on either the baseline or SS models. Powertrains for those models included a 250-hp, 350-cubic-inch, L65 small block or a 300-hp, 350-cubic-inch L48 small-block engine.
The ever-popular 302-cubic-inch, solid lifter Z28 with a Muncie M21 four-speed manual transmission, power-rated at 290 horsepower, was also on the roster.
In 1969, the Camaro SS396 could be ordered with either the 325-hp, L35 big block; the 396-cubic-inch L34 big block rated at 350 hp; the 375-hp, L78 396-cubic-inch big block; or the storming L89 396-cubic-inch big-block also rated at 375 hp.
But undoubtedly the biggest news of all was the limited-edition central office production order (COPO) 427 Camaro, equipped with an aluminum-head L72 Corvette engine rated at 425 hp, and the ultra-rare 427-cubic-inch ZL1 all-aluminum "Can Am" engine also rated at 425 hp.
Again, Camaro paced the "Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports"—the 1969 Indy 500, when the team of Roger Penske and Mark Donahue and their Sunoco Camaro Z28 repeated with back-to-back titles in the SCCA Trans-Am Series. In the privateer sector, Don Yenko released his new 450-hp, Yenko 427 Camaro SC, considered one of the baddest Gen-I Camaros of all time. Total sales for 1969 were 243,085 units.
ONE OF THE 10 BEST CARS IN THE WORLD
That's what ROAD & TRACK editors said about the new 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. However, UAW strikes at both GM's Norwood, Ohio, and Los Angeles assembly plants kept the world waiting until February 26, 1970, thereby causing many to refer to the Gen-II Camaro as a "1970-½."
The 1970 Chevrolet Camaro was completely restyled from top to bottom and became an instant hit with Camaro enthusiasts. However, this time around, GM elected to only offer the new Camaro in sport coupe configuration. The new Camaro was also re-engineered from within with a wheelbase of 108 inches. The car measured 188 inches in length (3.3 inches longer than its predecessor), 74.4 inches in width (1.9 inches wider than its predecessor), and 50.1 inches in height (a scant ½-inch taller then its predecessor). Models included the baseline Camaro Sport Coupe, the RS, SS, and Z-28.
Powertrain selection included a baseline 250-cubic-inch inline six rated at 155 hp and 307-cubic-inch small-block V-8 rated at 200 hp. The 1970-½ Camaro Z-28 now sported a 350-cubic-inch solid-lifter small block rated at 360 horsepower. The Camaro RS and SS small-block versions featured either the 250-hp, 350-cubic-inch L65 or 300-hp, 350-cubic-inch L48 engine, while the SS 396 version was available with either the 350-hp, L34 big block or 375-hp, L-78 big block. And finally, there was the very-limited-production LS6 454 big-block version power-rated at 450 hp.
High-performance aftermarket versions released that year included Baldwin-Motion Chevrolet, Yenko Chevrolet, and Dick Harrell-Fred Gibb Chevrolet. Total production for 1970 was 124,901 units.
A SPORTS CAR FOR THE FOUR OF YOU
With the dawn of OPEC and the fuel-conscious 1970s looming, engine packages were scaled back for the 1971 Camaro product line. Once again, the baseline Camaro Sport Coupe could be had with either the 145-hp, 250-cubic-inch inline six or 200-hp, 307-cubic-inch V-8. The Camaro SS small-block version was offered with either the 240-hp, 350-cubic-inch L65 or 270-hp, 350-cubic-inch L48 engines, while the big-block Camaro SS 396 could be ordered with a toned-down 300-hp, L53 engine. Camaro's other performance model, the 350-cubic-inch Z-28, was reduced to 330 hp. Total production for 1971 was 114,630 units.
Like all American cars, the 1972 Chevrolet Camaro suffered from the low-performance/high-insurance blues. With soaring prices at the gas pumps and unreasonable insurance rates commanded by the insurance monopolies, the exhilaration of owning a Camaro was beginning to wear thin.
Once again, two Camaro Sport Coupe baseline models were offered; the 110-hp, 250-cubic-inch inline six and the 130-hp, baseline 350-cubic-inch V-8. The SS line came available with either the 165-hp L65 or 200-hp, L48 350-cubic-inch small block. The L53 engine SS396 version only pumped out an asthmatic 240 hp, while 350-cubic-inch Camaro Z-28 likewise was down on power with 255 hp. Total sales were 68,651 units.
By 1973, it was apparent that high performance had become a distant memory. Camaro was clearly living on its looks and past reputation. Power options were replaced with décor group options with models like the Camaro LT, LT-RS, and Berlinetta foisted onto loyal Camaro customers.
One of the few bright moments (from a high-performance perspective) was Camaro's mid-'70s participation in the International Race of Champions (IROC) series. To capitalize on its success, Chevrolet introduced the Camaro IROC-Z, but even at that, the car was more about looks than high performance with its 350 small block registering a meager 190 hp.
In Part Two of this series, we will cover the Gen-III Camaro introduced in 1982 and the high-tech Gen-IV models introduced in 1993.
SOURCES
A1 Automatics
Aldan Eagle Shocks
American Muscle Cars, Inc.
American Racing
Art Morrison Enterprises
ATI ProCharger
Auto Meter
Barry Grant-Demon Carburetor
Billet Specialties
BorgWarner
Centerforce
Chassis Engineering
Chris Alston's Chassisworks
Classic Auto Sound
Classic Industries Parts & Accessories
COMP Cams
Competition Engineering
Crane Cams
Currie Enterprises
Chassis Engineering
Competition Engineering by Moroso
Doug's Headers
Doug Thorley Headers
Dynacorn Classic Bodies, Inc.
Edelbrock Corporation
Fatman Fabrications
Flaming River
Flowmaster, Inc.
Glide Engineering, Inc.
Global West
GM Performance Parts
Goodmark Industries
Heidt's
Holley
*Hooker Headers
Hotchkis Sports Suspension
Hughes Performance
Hurst Shifters
Ididit Inc.
Iskenderian
JEGS High Performance
Just Suspension
Keisler Engineering
K&N Engineering
L.A. Speed Shop
Manley Performance Products, Inc.
Mark Williams Enterprises
Master Power
McLeod Industries
McGaughys Suspension Parts
Mike's Transmission
MSD Performance Products
Moroso
Moser Engineering
NGK Spark Plugs
Oasis Luxury Alloys
Painless Performance, LLC
Precision Gear
RaceTrans.com
Richmond Gear
Shaver Racing Engines
Smeding Performance
Sony
SPC Performance Pro Series
Strange Engineering
Street & Performance Inc.
Summit Racing Equipment
Super Car Workshop
Tom's Differentials
TransGo
Unisteer
Weiand
Wilwood Engineering
World Products
Year One, Inc.
Zoom Performance Products
ZOOPS Products, Inc.
