Randy Johnson and D&Z Customs’ Love of the F-Body Makes Us Very Happy

By Matt Carpenter - April 20, 2016

Via: DrivingLine

There isn’t car yet that Randy Johnson of D&Z Customs has encountered that he’s had a problem turning into a track monster. His efforts have ranged from a second generation Chevy II Nova to a ’69 AMC AMX and all the way into modern times with a C5 Z06. He doesn’t focus solely on producing big horsepower numbers like some other builders do, either. Instead, Randy looks at the big picture – completely tuning the whole chassis and turning big-bodied muscle cars into vehicles that can stop and turn on a dime. Some of his most iconic builds, however, have been second generation F-Bodies – Camaros to be exact.

Via: DrivingLine

Before D&Z was even a thing, Randy had a 1970 Camaro that helped him hone his craft. When Randy wanted to start a new project, a 1966 Nova, he unfortunately had to sell his beloved Camaro to help pay for the new build. The Nova won awards and accolades, but Randy lamented his decision to sell the “Orange Peeler” (Hot Rod Magazine 1998). In an eerie succession of events, as Randy felt onset of depression, he saw the car pop-up on EBAY. It was almost like the universe was saying, “We feel ya, bro.” Randy snatched up the 1970 F-Body and vows to never sell it again.

Via: Super Chevy

Randy’s most recent encounter with an F-Body came to him in the form of another 2^nd gen Camaro, this time a ’73. This car was the cause of much commotion being a stopping point for many gawkers at SEMA in 2013. All you had to do was ask a few questions to find out what was hiding under the custom deep-vented carbon fiber hood – an LS7 that feeds all of its 680-hp through a Tremec T-56 six-speed transmission. Of course, the car also features a fully dialed in suspension and gets its stopping power from Wilwood brake kit. Randy admits this particular car functions as a tool to help him sling parts, but this tool is a fully capable Pro Turing track car.