Speedway Motors Homebuilt Heaven Winner for 2024 – Chet Stevens 1967 Camaro RS
There are scores of high-end, pro-built cars and trucks that garner a great deal of attention in the hot rodding scene, but Goodguys has never forgotten that our hobby is fueled by the midnight oil that countless do-it-yourself enthusiasts burn while pursuing their passion in home garages and workshops across the country. With support from our friends at Speedway Motors, we celebrate the spirit of hands-on hot rodding with the Homebuilt Heaven parking area and corresponding Homebuilt Heaven and Traditional Homebuilt Heaven awards bestowed at each event.
Congratulations to Chet Stevens and his ’67 Camaro RS for being named the Speedway Motors 2024 Homebuilt Heaven winner! Chet has had a long relationship with this ’67 Camaro RS – almost as long as his marriage to his wife, Tessa. They tied the knot in 1983, and Chet bought the Camaro in 1986. 
Chet is the Camaro’s third owner, and he says it was his daily driver until 1995, when he blew out the transmission. Chet admits his dream of a rotisserie restoration was a little intimidating, resulting in him putting things off for far too long. In 2014, he got motivated to turn the dream into reality. “I gotta do something before I get too damn old,” he told himself.
He began by working on metal repairs, like installing a reproduction floor and quarter panels with Norm Rainwater, a coworker, after connecting through their late friend, John. While the Camaro was on the rotisserie, Chet worked meticulously to clean and protect every inch of metal to ensure its longevity.
Friends and family played vital roles in the Camaro’s rebuild. “I always wanted a candy apple red car,” Chet says, and he found the right color – Velocity Red Sunglo – on a Harley Davidson. Tessa surprised him for his birthday by going to the local Harley dealer and buying the paint. Chet’s friend Jim Loofe helped him paint the car.
Another friend, Steve Hanchey, helped with the engine, a 496c.i. big block with 566hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. The engine has Brodix heads, an MSD ignition, March accessory drive system, and a Wizards radiator with dual electric fans. It’s backed by a Tremec T-56 Magnum six-speed. Tessa helped Chet get the engine installed in the car.
Most of the Camaro’s rebuild took place in Chet’s two-car home garage. Chet rebuilt the original front suspension, installed four-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, and added a Moser 12-bolt rearend with a Tru Trac differential and a Calvert Racing rear suspension with split monoleaf springs, adjustable shocks, and traction bars. Dougs headers and a Flowmaster exhaust system were also installed, along with new wiring.
Chet had installed reproduction seat covers back in the 1990s that have held up well, so the interior only required a few finishing touches like new door and side panels and a bit of trim. He also installed a Classic Auto Air climate control system. The couple’s son chipped in on several projects, and Tessa helped Chet install the new headliner.
The Camaro finally got rolling with a set of Billet Specialties 15-inch Street Light wheels, with fat Mickey Thompson 275/60/15 tires stuffed into the rear wheel openings. Since getting the car back on the road last year, Chet has logged more than 500 miles and plans on many more in the future. “I love it, man,” he says. “I go down the road and everyone’s giving a thumbs up.”
Congrats Chet and Tessa on being named the 2024 Speedway Motors Homebuilt Heaven champ! If you want to check out the 2024 Traditional Homebuilt Heaven click on this ’40 Ford Coupe.
