From Your Garage #12 Joseph Kosov's 69 Camaro!

Ever since I can remember I have been in love with cars and fixing things. I grew up watching how to shows like 2 Guys Garage, Extreme 4x4, Horsepower TV, Detroit Muscle, and Trucks. Prior to starting the project, my mechanical knowledge came from basically watching tv. My actual experience was doing regular maintenance like oil and brake changes on my own vehicles. Other than that I’ve never done anything remotely close to building an actual car. But it was always my dream to build a car with my own two hands.

I bought a 69 Camaro project car essentially just a shell that supposedly had all rusty panels already replaced by a professional shop and was ready for body/paint. I picked a shell instead of buying a complete car mostly because in my opinion buying a complete car then tearing it apart is like opening a can of worms. I have heard too many stories of hidden rust, poor body work and patch panels on top of rust.

My first classic car was a 67 Camaro that was fully restored, however it was very lackluster driving it around compared to any modern vehicle. So I sold it within a year and moved onto modern European cars, BMWs, Aston Martin, and McLaren, but I always loved the muscle cars so then I bought a 2013 Camaro ZL1. I fell in love with the performance, comfort, and overall drivability of that car. The ZL1 was my inspiration for starting my 69 Camaro build. My intent was to incorporate all the modern technology, convenience, performance, drivability, and European fit/finish of a brand new car but maintain the classic look of a 69 Camaro.  

It took a lot of research mostly from forums such as pro-touring.com and lateral-g.net to incorporate and install all the mechanical and electrical components. Luckily the first gen Camaros have a lot of aftermarket support so there are a lot of chassis, subframes, brakes, LS swap parts, kits etc. It took me nearly 5 years to put the vehicle together myself. Along the way I had to learn how to weld so I could make and install a custom firewall, tuck in bumpers, install Kindig door handles etc. I learned how to wire and integrate electrical systems and components for the entire vehicle such as power windows, door locks, trunk poppers, electric parking brake, power side mirrors, homelink, keyless entry/push start, IPad controls for hvac and stereo, guages etc. I also learned to make real carbon fiber overlays for the front spoiler, side mirrors and various other interior trim.

Here’s a full list of the goodies:

-Chris Alston G Machine front subframe

-Power Rack n pinion steering

-Viking double adjustable coilovers

-Subframe connectors

-Heidts Independent Rear Suspension

-LSA with 2.38” griptec pulley

-TR6060 transmission

-PSI engine harness

-Entropy LS dual fan radiator with trans cooler

-DCC PWM fan controller

-Mustang GT500 intercooler

- ZL1 intercooler pump

-Wilwood 6 piston calipers/14” rotors front

-Wilwood 4 piston calipers/13” rotors rear

-Wilwood master cylinder with prop valve

-100% custom nicopp brake lines

-100% custom nicopp fuel lines

-Driveshaft shop aluminum driveshaft

-DSE Minitubs

-Custom made 2 piece forged/carbon fiber wheels 19x9.5 front and 19x11.5 rear

-325/35/19 rear and 275/35/18 front tires

-Custom made carbon fiber front spoiler

-Ricks Restomod tank

-CTS-V fuel pump

-Vaporworx PWM fuel controller

-Restomod Air HVAC with Bluetooth

-AAW wire harness

-Whole floor is sprayed with undercoating, then dynomat, closed cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, then carpet.

-Mustang carbon fiber side mirrors

-Kindig door handles

-Custom spoiler

-OE glass flush mounted

-Mercedes CLA dash

-BMW M4 power seats front/rear

-BMW M4 door panels

-Porsche black/crimson leather with Alcantara inserts

-Modern style 1 piece carpet

-Real carbon fiber interior trim handmade

-2017 Camaro ZL1 center console

-ZL1 throttle, brake, clutch pedals

-IPad vehicle controls (HVAC, audio, backup cam, navigation, text, make/receive calls, virtual gauges etc)

-Homelink in rear view mirror

-Speedhut gauges installed in Mercedes gauge cluster.

-Ambient lighting with color change

-Power Windows, Door Locks, Trunk popper

-Modern style power door locks, power window switches, power side mirrors

-Keyless entry with push button start

-JL 8 speaker sound system with JL 600 watt amp

-JL 10” custom package tray sub with JL 500 watt amp

Finished pics below!

Awesome build, Joseph! This is a great example of wanting something and learning the techniques and abilities to make your dream car come true! Just goes to show you do not need a "Pro" to build your car and that you can do it yourself if you have the drive and desire to do so!

Is this the Ultimate Home Build? Let's see what you've built! Feel free to send me your build and get it featured on the Blog! Send it me at: streetmachinecentral@gmail.com

Thanks again Joe!