[johns68]

Consider this the "this guy's an idiot" entertainment post for the month, but ...

... a little background is in order: I've been a member for a while, but never really introduced myself. I've been building hot rods and drag racing for 30+ years, and converted to corner burning a couple years ago. My first car was a 68 plain jane Camaro. My dad was the original owner. I bought it from him when I was 15. I've still got it, and the 68 is the subject of this post.

I started open tracking in the 68, and planned on continuing, until my wife (a much wiser person than myself) pointed out that I'd never forgive myself if I put it into the k-rail at Thunderhill, so I found a "disposable car" (her words). Successful ex-A-Sedan 4th-gen, that I bought as a roller, built too much engine and added too much brake and tire for it to be A-Sedan any more, but that's ok by me ... I really just like to compete against myself, trying to improve my lap times each outing. Besides, I'm in the San Francisco SCCA region ... and flat don't have the cash to compete in SF region ITE, which is where my 4th gen would land now. If I were to go wheel-to-wheel racing in the near future, it would probably be in NASA AIX.. and I'd be far from competitive.

But I digress ... if you've been to many track days at Laguna or Thunderhill, you've possibly run into a 69 Camaro owned by Bob Owen. If you aren't a left coast dweller, Bob's car can be viewed here:

Got Blue Milk

Bob's a great guy to talk with, and his car is amazing ... and no longer remotely resembles a 1st gen when you start popping panels and inspecting suspension, engine setback ... everything but sheetmetal.

So here's the point (finally) Every time I see Bob at the track, or even view pics of his car, I get fired up to hack the 68 into a track car like his ... my 68 is currently a fully accurate SS clone, but with full GW suspension and an aluminum big block ... a trip to Alan Blaine for a cage, a fuel cell, some fender flares, and a lot of wide rubber and I'm there ... ok I'm not really that naive, but I keep getting these crazy notions of chopping up the 68 ... I could even sell the ZL-1 and transplant the engine, trans, Kirkeys, etc from the 4th gen before parting it out ... damn, stop me before I do something stupid!

[Blainefab]

John - IMO if the car you are driving has roots you will be less likely to drive it to its limits. I also would not sell yourself or the 4th gen short in SFR ITE or NASA Norcal AIX - the platform has a lot of potential that has not been fully realized here on the west coast. If you want a cool, quick classic for track sessions, then Ya I'd be glad to build a nice cage for the 1st gen. If you want to win races, then you need a car that you're willing to sacrifice to win - let's put that ZL-1 in the 4th gen and turn some heads!

This post has been edited by Blainefab: Apr 16 2007, 07:17 PM

[2manyfbods]

John - IMO if the car you are driving has roots you will be less likely to drive it to its limits. I also would not sell yourself or the 4th gen short in SFR ITE or NASA Norcal AIX - the platform has a lot of potential that has not been fully realized here on the west coast. If you want a cool, quick classic for track sessions, then Ya I'd be glad to build a nice cage for the 1st gen. If you want to win races, then you need a car that you're willing to sacrifice to win - let's put that ZL-1 in the 4th gen and turn some heads!

I like the way Alan thinks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[johns68]

Alan & Larry: the ZL-1 in the 4th gen was my original intent, believe it or not, when I first bought the roller. Then I got the tape measure out and realized I'd have about 2" on each side between the exhaust ports and the shock towers. Don't think there's a chance a header that fit would flow, and not enough confidence in my fab skills to start hacking on the towers ... so I built a small block 383 for it instead.

Jules: I'll be at NCRC the 28th. Due to a series of small issues, the new engine only has about a session and a half on it, so I'll be taking it easy for most of the day to finish break-in ... then I'll abuse it for the rest of the summer.

[2manyfbods]

Alan & Larry: the ZL-1 in the 4th gen was my original intent, believe it or not, when I first bought the roller. Then I got the tape measure out and realized I'd have about 2" on each side between the exhaust ports and the shock towers. Don't think there's a chance a header that fit would flow, and not enough confidence in my fab skills to start hacking on the towers ... so I built a small block 383 for it instead.

Jules: I'll be at NCRC the 28th. Due to a series of small issues, the new engine only has about a session and a half on it, so I'll be taking it easy for most of the day to finish break-in ... then I'll abuse it for the rest of the summer.

Over the last 30 years, I have owned 25 First gen Camaros. (no, really) I still have two. 5 years ago I sold an Original 74,000 mile 1968 RS to a collector in Minnesota because, I wanted to build a street/strip car I couldnt butcher this one! It still had the original paint. I found a stolen recover roller in a police impound yard auction. It isnt worth much. I can modify the hell out of it.

Ultimately, you may do what you wish with your car but, think about it before using the plasma cutter.

Also, Consider a visit to Alan's shop. He has done work on my car. He is an excellent fabricator.