Chuck Wyatt’s 1968 Camaro – The Drifter
When we spotted Chuck Wyatt’s 1968 Camaro tearing up the course at Pat’s Acres Racing Complex during a private day of drifting, we had to get a closer look.
There was just something about that meaty rear end stepping out that we needed more of. The course, (photographed above by John Jimison) meant for go-karts, is super tight so we knew the car had to have the suspension and brakes to match the power that was thundering out the back end of the Chevy.
Underneath the wild orange wrap job that was installed at PDX Wraps up North in Oregon, the Pro-Touring Camaro is a true SS, a glossy black with white stripes.
As wraps are gaining popularity, the quality is getting better too. It’s a multi-layered job that looks awesome from any angle.
Under the hood is a healthy LS2 motor with LS9 heads that’s good for plenty of angry horsepower. While it tips the scales at over 500hp already, Chuck says eventually he’d like to supercharge the car.
Matching the power is a collection of late model Corvette parts underneath like the C5 brakes. It’s always good to see plenty of stopping power in these older cars; not only do they need it, but it makes the sixties cars far superior on the street as well as the track.
Also helping in the handling department is a Speed Tech Extreme front suspension setup with a BMR torque arm configuration out in the back.
Further business-end equipment includes a beefy 9” rear end with 4.10 gears that make the old SS an absolute rocket ship off the line. Paired with the modern transmission, you can still reasonably cruise the car as well. It’s a perfectly balanced setup and must be an absolute dream to drive. While not strictly a drift car, Chuck couldn’t resist getting out on the course with Chris Egger riding shotgun in the ’67. Inside the car, the balanced theme continues. Corvette buckets offer comfort and safety.
You also have a Dakota digital dash and Fesler interior side panels polishing off a very nice mix of modern parts. You can plug in your phone and bump some tunes, too.
It’s the perfect street machine and a beautiful setup that gets plenty of use. This particular day Chuck said he just couldn’t resist taking it out for a couple laps at his good friend Chris’ track, although he joked that his son would kill him.
While he and his buddies tore up PARC back in the day with 10hp karts, having 50 times the power on tap must have been an absolute blast. Screaming down the backroads in Oregon can’t be too bad, either.