“BRUT” – Jesse Lindberg’s 1969 Camaro
Tackling someone else’s unfinished project is always a bit of a gamble. For Jesse Lindberg and a couple of friends, though, spending five years of nights and weekends paid off with this stunning ’69 Camaro street machine.
It helps that Jesse owns Norcal Paint and Bodyworks, which means the custom body and paint work was an extension of his day job. In addition to replacing most exterior panels, substantial fabrication included a carbon fiber front valance, 3D-printed headlight doors, a metal body kit (side skirts and rear diffuser), and under-body pans. Other subtle mods included smoothed bumpers and blacked-out window trim. Jesse and Eric Sanderson completed the metal work, and Jesse applied the Glasurit Brute Champaign and Frozen Bronze colors.
Underneath, a Roadster Shop Spec chassis hosts rack-and-pinion steering, a 9-inch rearend with 3.82 gears, and four-wheel Wilwood disc brakes. Billet Specialties Prism wheels (18×10 front, 19×12 rear) are wrapped in Nitto Invo tires (265/35 front, 325/30 rear).
For power, a 750-horsepower, 382c.i. LS1 Chevy V8 provides plenty and is surrounded by custom engine bay paneling. LS3 heads are covered by Wegner Automotive valve covers. A Holley Sniper EFI and F1R ProCharger combination handle the induction work. Exhaust gases pass through a Borla Pro XS system and cooling is handled by a custom Mattson’s radiator. The T-56 transmission utilizes a Centerforce clutch and a Bowler shifter.
The two-tone interior features an array of custom touches, courtesy of one-off CNC-machined pieces and 3D-printed components. DJ Designs handled the bulk of the work. GT 500 front seats and a modified rear are surrounded by custom side panels, and the plaid insert designs are carried through to the custom-stitched floor mats.
The tweaked dash contains Dakota Digital instruments and a Vintage Air system. Bill White helped install the American Autowire harness. Finishing touches include a Billet Specialties steering wheel, Ididit tilt column, and BBT Fabrications pedals and handles.
Jesse’s Camaro is more than just show-stopper. He also proved the car’s capabilities on the AutoCross track in Arizona, improving his lap times considerably throughout the Goodguys 2022 Spring Nationals weekend. For a small shop owner, there’s nothing like putting your skills to the test on a dual-threat machine that can turn heads and also compete on the move.
Photos by John Jackson
