Don’t Settle – David Levin Finally Gets the 1968 Camaro He Always Wanted Back thanks to Driven Speed Shop
As a teenager in the ’90s, David Levin was smitten by a 1968 Camaro at a car show, especially after the owner gave him a ride. That led him to buying a ’73 Camaro a few years later. “I spent every day tinkering with the car to make it my own,” David says. “I made so many memories in that car but eventually sold it shortly after marriage and kids.”
David began reflecting on those memories during Covid and thought about getting another ’73 Camaro. “As I stated looking, I said why not get the first gen I always wanted,” David says. “I found a ’68 Camaro online and jumped in. I never imagined I would take it as far as I did.”
David teamed up with Driven Speed Shop on a multi-year rebuild to transform the Camaro into a serious muscle machine with modern performance capabilities. The starting point was a Roadster Shop Spec chassis with a coil-over front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, four-bar rear suspension, and 9-inch rearend. Add in big-inch Wilwood disc brakes, plus Forgeline 18×9- and 19×11.5-inch wheels and Michelin rubber, and you’ve got one stout suspension package.
That agility is important when you consider the elevated power coming from the Chevrolet Performance LS7 engine. It’s topped by a billet intake and valve covers from Shaun’s Custom Alloy and exhales through Ultimate Headers and a custom stainless exhaust system built with Borla pipes and mufflers. A 4L75 automatic transmission sends power rearward.
The Driven Speed Shop crew are metalwork masters, and it shows on the Camaro’s subtly updated body. The team modified the roof for flush front and rear glass, shaved the drip rails, built a custom hood and cowl panel, and fabricated custom front and rear valence panels and spoilers. The body was sent to Arizona Street Custom for a stealthy gray PPG finish before being reassembled with a custom billet grille and tucked rear bumper.
The modern makeover continued inside, where Sew Cal Rods worked its magic. The process involved many computer-designed, 3D-printed pieces, plus custom bucket seats and a rear cargo area, all wrapped in black leather. A custom console incorporates space for the Alpine touchscreen audio controls and Lokar shifter, while the modified dash is fitted with a Vintage Air system, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Billet Specialties wheel on an Ididit column. There’s even a six-point roll cage for added safety.
The Camaro was delivered to David at the Spring Nationals in Scottsdale, shortly after Driven Speed Shop’s Mikey Dascoli made a few laps on the AutoCross course to prove its performance credentials. Needless to say, David drove away very happy and looks forward to making new memories in this fine F-body.
Congratulations to David Levin and Driven Speed Shop for being named a Finalist for the Goodguys 2026 Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine of the Year with his 1968 Camaro!
Photos: Terry Lysak
