The Story
I am starting this thread to document the restoration of a close friend's 1968 Camaro.

In 1976 Cindy's grandfather took her and her brother down to the "Every Car Under $1000" used car dealer to get them their first cars. The brother got a 1968 Fastback Mustang and she picked out the 1968 Chevy Camaro Coupe. It is a 327, 4 speed car that has been stroked and mocked up with a Tremec 5 speed. Must have been a blast they both use to cruise Speedway, the main blvd. in Tucson, and both still have the cars. After many years the Camaro was parked with believe it or not 68,000 original miles a 1968 with 68,000, awesome. The car was taken to a local shop for restoration that didn't go as planned and is now getting ready for a second life.
I've been shooting videos of the work I am doing to get the body prepared for paint. This has been a good Forum to me and I glad to be able to share this with all of you.

Let's Have Some Fun

— February 23, 2010 — In this episode we get a quick update on our 1968 Chevy Camaro project. After finding laquer primer we had to strip it down to the metal and start all over again, bummer. People do not use laquer primer. Check out how we get it ready for metal and bodywork.
Stripped, Metal Prepped, Sanded Down for Primer


— March 18, 2010 — In this episode Jeff Gets parts in for the Camaro project then starts to put them on. You will see subframe cross measurements and installation of the front clip including new Legion fenders. Then I will remove the lead from the sail panels and take the quarter panels off the car in preparation for new Auto Metal Direct full quarters.Getting New Panels in and Getting Quarters Off

— March 19, 2010 — In this episode we will continue on from episode 94 and get these 1968 Chevy Camaro quarter panels welded on. We've got our Auto Metal Direct OE style full quarter panels installed and our N.O.S. outer wheel tub sectioned in. Man this car is coming together quickly.Installing the Quarters

We are getting ready for more as we mock up the driveline and complete the bodywork.

 

— June 22, 2010 — In this episode Jeff gets some collision repair done on the right A pillar and puts the back up lights in the correct spot on the 1968 Chevy Camaro.
Rocker Collision Repair & Back-up Lights Installed

 

In this episode we get the Camaro Rally Sport emblem holes mocked up and drilled, some detail fabrication and some bodywork.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT5vUi_t50M

 

Awesome! Love the videos. Brings back some good memories of watching mine all come together.

 

Well we all know how this goes it's time to make the car straight and fix all the little details. I started after throwing the motor and 5 speed in by putting the front sheet metal back together. The Camaro seems to be fitting nice with a few areas that need attention. I also got to see how the rally sport grill fit the new legion fenders we put on the car for the first time, after a little tweek it looks like it will be nice. Put the bumpers on it and checked the taillights, we will see what molding's are going on and that will be it for the fit.

Here are some pics and episode of MC&HR of the block sanding and priming as we begin surfacing the Camaro.




YouTube - MUSCLE CARS & HOT RODS Episode 135


I am glad to be working on the Camaro again this one will be a great challenge as we approach paint and full mock-up.

 

Starting to get back in the swing of things on Cyndi's Camaro while blocking, priming and getting the surface straightened out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xSRS8dH0M




Now that it is in final prime it is time to get it Jamb painted. The main body will be LMG Orange Mica with Pearl cream Z28 stripes.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIELJmYy9Jg

Still have a couple loose end to tie up but final paint is beginning to lurk, shouldn't be far off now. Once again Thank all of you for comments and following this thread.

 

Thanks for sharing your video's! Awesome!

 

Now I am final-ing up some of the last minute details before the Camaro heads to the booth. Some of the moldings came in so it is nice to get to drill out the holes for the fasteners before paint. Here are the mirrors, wheel opening moldings, and rocker moldings.



The OER replacement wheel lip molding, rear left-hand side had 9 extra holes popped in it so we either get a replacement from Classic or we are on the prowl for an original set we can restore.




We have to decided to install the 1967 Rally Sport lower body line moldings rather than the 1968 due to style choice. All of us like the look of the larger trim and didn't want to bring the semi-gloss black up that far onto the side of the car so that is what we will go with.


So here is the video as we are 3/4 way through final prep awaiting seam sealer, a damn good cleaning, and masking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WjvAHYH9VI

Thanks for reading.

 

Anna and I went to the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Collecter Car Auction Saturday and I couldn't resist a few pics.

The 2010 Firebird.




We are putting Z28 Stripes on Cyndy's car so I snapped a few shots.




Respectable set of meats under this '69 had me thinking about Project "Weezy" who's rear tires were ordered today {335x35x19}.



This is a nice looking '68 that caught my eye.




So there you have it I like to go every year but this one was the best for me in a long time. The Muscle Car Market is coming back I can feel it in the air.

 

Sorry I didn't get any pictures yet but here is the video of us getting Cyndi's Camaro painted LMB Orange Mica w/ Pearl White stripes.

Man what an ordeal stripes are when your painting an entire car I literally have 25 hours of spraying & masking (just stripes) plus Chris' 3 to 4 hours of laying the stripes out. I would have normally spent about 8 hours shooting a car and this isn't our first set of stripes.
Sorry for the whining I've been stressed out. Damn the car is looking good. I will let the car set the rest of the weekend then sand it down and clear it a second time thus burying the paint edge on the stripes. Cyndi came by after we shot the video and car and actually said it was everything she wanted and more. These colors glow in the sun I can already imagine walking up on it at a show, it will definitely stand out. We can all be proud of this one.

Thanks for reading & watching.


YouTube - MUSCLE CARS & HOT RODS Episode 143 Painting our 1968 Camaro LMB Orange Mica w/ Pearl White Stripes