A Camaro for Generations – Metal Brothers Build a 1968 Camaro
Two decades ago, Ken Henderson was shopping for a first-generation Camaro that he and his 16-year-old son could transform into the teen’s daily driver. The 1968 Camaro they found turned out to be a highly optioned car, so plans changed. It was too nice to be a teenager’s daily driver.
“We restored it and visited many car shows back then,” Ken says.
After a few years, the Camaro ended up languishing in the family garage until, after an extended period of not being used, it needed another refresh. “We decided to bring it to Metal Brothers Hot Rods for a frame-off rebuild,” Ken says.
This time around, the goal was to bring the Camaro into the new century with improvements to make it perform like a more contemporary car. The result is a heavily modified muscle machine that respects the first-generation Camaro’s heritage.
The team at Metal Brothers in Theodore, Alabama, massaged the exterior sheet metal and laid down a fresh finish of Axalta Rosso Corsa Red paint. Trim pieces – front and rear glass stainless trim, door handles, bumpers, and spoilers – were painted black for a more contemporary look. The customized hood features black air inserts. The Rally Sport grille now has a customized honeycomb-patterned insert.
The massaged engine compartment – custom inner fender panels and a smoothed firewall among other upgrades – houses a Chevrolet Performance 6.2-liter LS3 V8 producing 525 horsepower and dressed up with Lokar valve covers, a Wegner LSX accessory drive system, and a PRC cooling system. DSE headers feed exhaust gases into 3-inch stainless pipes that feature Borla Pro XS mufflers. A T56 transmission is controlled by a Bowler shifter.
The Camaro rides on a Detroit Speed front suspension and matching four-link rear suspension locating a 9-inch Ford rearend with 3.50 gears. Four-wheel Wilwood 14-inch disc brakes handle stopping chores. Foregline 18×9- and 18×11.5-inch wheels are wrapped in Toyo rubber (275/35/18 in front, 335/30/18 in the rear).
The stylish interior centers around the upholstery work of Steve Holcomb at Pro Custom Interiors in Knoxville, Tennessee. He covered the Recaro Expert S seats, the custom door panels, and console in grey leather with black inserts. A Billet Specialties steering wheel sits on a tilt column. Dakota Digital gauges reside in an updated stock dash. Restomod air conditioning keeps the passengers cool during the hot and humid Gulf Coast summers. American Autowire pieces connect all of the electrical components. Ring Brothers and Clayton Engineering pedals and handles complete the interior design.
The 1968 Camaro became a Finalist for the Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine of the Year at the Grundy Collector Car Insurance Colorado Nationals since its been reborn into a contemporary performance street machine, the Henderson’s plan to enjoy the car for years to come. “The car will stay in the family and be handed down from generation to generation,” Ken said.
Photos by Steven Bunker
