Hey everyone, I'm about to get a 1980 Camaro Berlinetta for free from my friend. It's just a regular white Berlinetta with a 350 V8 and Automatic Tranny. I'm interested in making it a "Custom / Resto" I don't want her fully stock, but I don't want her totally tricked out. Kinda like, semi-stock outside and custom inside. On the body, I want to fill in the lower grill and side lights. I also want to add on a 2" Cowl Hood and Z28 Spoiler. I also may get a body kit for her. Not a stock style, maybe just some plain extension style kit that makes it look lower and have it molded in so it looks smooth and flawless. I think it will make it look smoother. I'm going for a Red with Black rally stripe paint scheme. Here is my composite of what I want her to look like.

http://www.fbody.com/members/temple//project.html

Those pics were edited by me from Wes' 1979 Camaro. His webpage is at http://camaroz28.cardomain.com/id/camaro29 His car is so sweet!!!!

I also think maybe a Navy Blue Metallic paint of a 98-02 F-Bod with Bright white stripes would also look neat. I'm not sure though. As for the engine and tranny, I'm thinkin of a 396 with a TH700-R4. I already have my 6-speed fun car, I want a cruiser now! So what do ya'll think? Any recommendations on good engine combo's or body mods? I don't really want a 350 or 383 in her, there are so many cars with those. Any comments are much appreciated!

 

If you're considering a big-block, I would skip the 396 and go to a 454. If you have the money a 502 would be even better. Build the biggest engine you can afford; that way you can run a milder combo and maintain the same power level. The car will be better mannered, which would be a plus for a cruiser. If you're carrying around the extra weight of a big block, you might as well get the extra cubes.

As for the body, I would personally skip the body kits. I like "look stock, but carry a big stick" type cars. The stripes would be a nice touch.

 

Brett H. - A 454? hmmm.....That would be pretty nice. My friend and I just finished putting his 454 together in his 70 Chevelle SS 454 and it's got a lot of neck snap to it. I guess the only reason I was thinking about a 396 is because it's big, but not too big. Ya know? It's something very.....sensible. But then again, I'm sure once I get going with this project, nothing will stay very sensible for long . As for body stuff, it wouldn't be anything ungodly, it would be in good taste. I really don't feel like dropping it ( My 93 Z already gets bloody noses all around my town on stock springs ) Anywho, thanks for the comments! I'll be back with more questions for this section soon!

 

P.S. - I fixed the link up on my first post. Ya'll can now check out the pics with no problems!

 

I got an upper grill that will fit for $20 if you need it-Dixierebel84@hotmail.com