The Revival: Revolution Streetcars 1969 Camaro
Sometimes, you must take what you can get, like this 1969 Camaro.
That was the case for this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, a basket case from the start. However, thanks to the work of Frank Guerrero of Revolution Streetcars in Las Vegas, this car was able to get a proper rebirth and be made into the impressive car you see before you. Let’s take you for the ride of the history and rebuild of the RSC ‘69 Camaro.
“It had been though 3 different shops and he had gotten to the point where nothing he paid for was done properly to the car outside the paint,” Frank began to reminisce of the build, “It was only halfway good.” This case starts out as a car with air ride, a horrible nineteen- and twenty-inch wheel combo, and a less than stellar four-link setup. How bad was it? Well, the air ride was lag bolted to the floor pan and, when they lifted the car on a lift, the four-line started to tear out. Needless to say, it needed a ground up resurrection or a new car.
Frank convinced the owner towards the latter as the rest of the car was still in great shape. Total Cost Involved was called up and were originally tasked with setting the car up with their Pro Touring IFS kit. However as the conversation continued, TCI felt a conversion to their Torque Arm Suspension in the rear would be a better route to go over a four-link. Before getting installed, the chassis parts were powder coated. To make sure the car stayed planted, a Ridetech coilover system was installed. Underneath those Forgeline wheels are a set of Wilwood fourteen-inch brakes that make stopping on a dime easy when paired with the Nitto NT01 tires for the 18×10 and 18×12 fitment.
That engine is an LS-based, forged aluminum, 376-cubic-inch block with Dart 225 CNC cathedral port heads. A custom ground camshaft is engineered to work with the Magnuson 2300 supercharger but also allow for a streetable 2800 stall, multi-disc converter from Circle D. That turns a Revolution Streetcars Level X 4L80E trans that leads down to the rear end. Inside the Fab 9 housing is a Yukon Gear ring and pinion with a 3.73 ratio. That all leads to a tame car until you open up that Holley throttle body to unleash the full 650-foot-pound of torque to the ground. Then, those 335 Nittos will blow off some impressive tire smoke.
Inside, it’s all about driver comfort and style with an interior done by Jose at ABC Discount Upholstery in Vegas. The Marquez Designs dash works well with the Fessler door panels and gives the Camaro a more modern look without distracting from the classic idea. The paint was still good looking but the chrome was redone to create a subtler nickel finish against that blue body and grey striping.
Overall, what should have been a car ready for the scrapper has been transformed into the car the owner had originally been looking for. Both he and Frank have been happy with the car so far and it’s driven as much as the owner or Frank can drive it on the streets of Las Vegas. This car now sees better days than it was destined for and we can say that we’re glad that Frank and Revolution Streetcars were able to make this one awesome 1969 Camaro even if it started out as such a basket case.
