Z-Rodz 1971 Camaro – Forged in Fiber
You may not be able to change the past, but sometimes you get a shot to improve what happened. When Zach Ingram started his shop, Z-Rodz and Customs, in 2011, the first car he painted was this ’71 Camaro. At the time, it was coated with a slick dark green metallic hue highlighted with a set of side pipes connected to a healthy 502c.i. big block.
Last year, the Camaro owner contacted Zach to let him know he was going to sell the Camaro. At the time, Zach was looking for a candidate to build as a shop car for Z-Rodz and its latest offshoot company, Fiber Forged Composites. A deal was struck and the ’71 rolled into the shop and was promptly blown apart and stripped bare.
As luck would have it, Art Morrison Enterprises was just finishing work on a new Camaro front clip assembly that uses C6 spindles, lowers the ride height, and has more clearance for fat tires. Zach also incorporated an AME rear assembly to secure a Strange 9-inch and set of JRi Shocks. Baer Brakes are employed on each corner to slow the Michelin SuperSports and 19- and 20-inch B-Forged wheels.
For power, Zach decided to keep the big block, rather than go with an LS engine like so many pro-touring Camaros get these days. They added a Borla 8-Stack intake system to meter the air while a Holley controller manages the fuel delivery. A Billet Specialties front drive assembly was added to run the accessories and Z-Rodz handled the custom headers that direct exhaust fumes through a set of 3-inch Borla mufflers. Shifts are handled by a stout 4L80E automatic custom built by Bowler Performance.
The interior is exactly what you would picture as a modern version of a second-gen Camaro. A set Corbeau seats provide a comfortable and secure driving position with a clean view of the Classic Instruments gauges through the Billet Specialties steering wheel. The seats, door panels, dash and custom console are wrapped in black leather with red stitching performed by Rigg’s Brothers in St. Charles, Illinois. For added safety and vehicle rigidity, an inconspicuous roll bar surrounds the passengers while a Vintage Air system keeps everyone cool.
As for the skin of the Camaro, Zach left it with its original body lines before applying a beaming PPG Torch Red paint. Flush fitting glass adds a modern flair along with a few trick carbon fiber pieces created by Fiber Forged.
The goal was to create a classic ’71 Camaro while blending in some modern finishes and technology. We’d say mission accomplished.
Photos by John Jackson & Brandon Flannery
