This 1968 Camaro Pro Touring car is not your typical warmed over muscle car with big wheels and tires posing as something it is not. This car is a serious as death build, utilizing all of the highest quality components available the time. The quality is over the top and the ride is what enthusiasts lust after for.
It’s a pretty easy argument to state that the suspension on the car is one of the best in the industry. Detroit Speed and Engineering has managed to seamlessly blend performance, ride quality and reliability into one tight little package. These suspensions drive as well on the street as the do on the track. On the road, they are as smooth as a modern car and on the track, they are outright handling monsters. The hydroformed front sub-frame is complete with adjustable coil over shocks and a buttery power rack and pinion set up. The front end has expertly crafted tubular upper control arms, a splined sway bar, and C6 steering knuckles. The rear suspension consists of an easily adjustable Quadra link system and Ford 9" rear end housing with 31 spline axles, and a True Trac differential with 3.55 gear ratio.
The front brakes are 6-piston Wilwoods with 14" rotors and the rears are 4-piston calipers and share the same rotors as the front. The stopping force of the binders is awesome – they bring this Camaro to a halt in a heartbeat. The wheels are a killer looking set of Rushforths that are 18×9 up front and 19×12 in the rear. The tires are 245x35x18 up front and 335x30x19 in the rear. To accommodate the monster rear tires, DSE mini tubs were fitted in the rear of the Chevy. In order to strengthen the uni-body, DSE sub-frame connectors were used to tie in the front sub-frame with the unibody of the car. These are the high-end weld-in type and you barely notice that they are there. The car handles like it is on rails but does not have the harsh ride of many aftermarket coilover systems. It’s a pretty incredible combination and really the best of both worlds.
The engine is a balanced and blueprinted 383 with an Eagle Forged Crank, Eagle Forged rods, Mahle coated pistons, a Comp Cams hydraulic roller cam, and Ultra Gold Aluminum roller rockers. The motor uses AFR 195CC heads which sit under an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake. Metering fuel and airflow is a Holley 770 Ultra Carb, and bringing the fuel from the tank to the engine is an electric fuel pump. Running the accessories off the front of the engine is a sleek Concept One serpentine belt system. The motor comes with its job spec card from February 2014 showing all the final component weights. She makes over 400 HP, revs like a banshee, runs as smooth as silk. The transmission is a Bow Tie Overdrives 200 4R that allows for smooth highway cruising at moderate RPM. Fuel is housed in a Rock Valley Stainless tank that is custom built for DSE specifically for use with mini tubbed cars.
The body of the car is a rolling work of art and has wonderful gaps and panel fitment. The doors close with a thud and the windows fit like a glove. Custom body modifications include Shaved and smoothed drip rails and a custom front valance. Prior to the application of any paint, the body was meticulously worked and sanded to create a properly finished pre-paint surface. The paint is a stunning BASF Diamont Carizzma Candy Ruby Red. This killer finish pops hard in any lighting condition, but looks simply stunning in direct sunlight. The car uses DSE power RS headlights and LED turn indicators. The engine compartment is as clean as a laboratory and has a smoothed firewall, hood filler panel and radiator closeout panel.
The interior of the Camaro is over-the-top and features Fesler custom door panels, Fesler rear quarter panels and a one piece headliner from Marquez Design in California. On top of these panels and the seats as well, is a perfectly executed custom genuine leather interior. You’ll find red stitching throughout, and the headliner is all leather as well! The gauges are Autometer Carbon Fiber Series with custom billet rings. The RS gauges sit on custom made steel console complete with custom shift plate. The interior is nicely color balanced and the abundance of stainless plays nicely with the two-tone leather. The trunk has been fully finished to match the interior and features a battery compartment. Additional options include power windows, power door locks, and even power mirrors! Keeping the passengers cool is the tried and true Vintage Air system and keeping the cabin quiet and vibration free is a lot of Dynamat. You’ll find lots of billet throughout including all the knobs and Ididit column brushed stainless to match.
Anyone familiar with the world of Pro-Touring cars knows how expensive they are to build, and with the parts list equaling the asking price of this car, it’s a considerable bargain.
