1969 Chevrolet Camaro Custom
Estimate: $175,000 – $250,000 Sold $176,000
This Shelby GT350, number 40 of 1085 units produced in 1969, was originally sold by Hysen-Johnson Ford of San Luis Obispo, California, and has reportedly remained with California owners ever since. It is finished in a very attractive colour combination of royal maroon with gold stripes over a black deluxe interior package, and complemented by teak accents, black carpeting and glovebox with Carroll Shelby’s signature. The 351 Windsor powerplant was mated to an FMX CruiseO-Matic transmission and coupled with an optional Traction-Lok rear axle.
Purchased by the consignor in 1991 as a stablemate to his GT500, the GT350 was sympathetically restored to a high standard over the next few years. In 2005, it secured a first-place win at the Shelby American Automobile Club event held at California Speedway, a true badge of honour for any Shelby owner. It has been driven and shown sparingly ever since. Offered with signed Shelby owner’s manual, Shelby order form, sales brochure and Marti Report, this GT350 stands poised to bring enjoyment on the show field or the open road.
The resto-mod and pro-touring movements have grown in the last two decades to the extent that it seems more likely that you will see a modernised version of a Sixties muscle car than one restored to period specification. The industry surrounding these creations has multiplied many times over, proliferated by shows such as SEMA, which is dominated by customised vintage machinery. No car is more popular for the restomod treatment than the 1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro. Incredible aftermarket support for the model and their enduring popularity with enthusiasts mean there are thousands of modified versions in garages nationwide. As with any arm of the hobby, the quality of the cars being modified and the work that they receive varies greatly.
At the absolute top of the industry for everything from custom parts to complete builds of American muscle and pony cars lies Detroit Speed, Inc. of Mooresville, North Carolina. Utilising its extensive catalogue of products that are designed and fabricated in-house, as well as its incredible team of craftsmen, Detroit Speed has made a name in the industry unmatched by its rivals.
While having built cars for numerous NASCAR drivers including Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kyle Busch, perhaps the most notable vehicle to come out of the Detroit Speed shop is the Hoonitruck, a highly customised 1977 Ford F-150 constructed in conjunction with Ford Racing for Ken Block’s Gymkhana video series.
The Detroit Speed-built 1969 Camaro offered here is indicative of the shop’s tasteful and comprehensive approach to a pro-touring style car. This Camaro was originally built circa 2010 for Michael Manning, the owner of American Autowire. With an eye toward a machine that would be as at home on the track as on the road, a Chevrolet Performance LS7 crate engine was sourced, utilising the same dry sump lubrication system as the C6 Corvette Z06, but with a custom oil tank that lives in the fender. A T-56 six-speed gearbox transfers power to a Ford nine-inch rear axle that is suspended by Detroit Speed’s patented Quadralink rear suspension system. The front of the car was fitted with a complete Detroit Speed Hydro-formed subframe and suspension, and PBR six-piston brakes run inside forged Fikse three-piece wheels.
From the completely custom interior to the subtly, but extensively, modified bodywork finished in Chrysler Metallic Titanium paint, there is not a single component on this incredible car that was not replaced, rebuilt or optimised.
An extensive photo gallery on the builder’s website chronicles the progression from a bare shell all the way through the build process and illustrates the incredible effort and skill that a project like this takes.
When finished the Camaro was displayed on the cover of Camaro Performers magazine and featured in Super Chevy magazine. The stunning final product was presented to its proud new owner who subsequently drove it as intended in numerous events before selling it to the consignor in 2018.
Post-restoration mileage accrued at the time of cataloguing was 5322.
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