This second-generation 1970 Chevy Camaro SS/RS looks every inch like a classic muscle car, but adds to the formula with a selection of restored and modern components, making it an ideal daily cruiser. Now, we’re getting behind the wheel of this Chevy Camaro with the following feature video.
The owner was originally inspired by the second-gen Detroit Speed race car build, and sought to make an autocross competitor. However, after finding his new project car, he decided it was too nice to tear down, so instead, he decided to keep the old-school cool intact, simply upgrading and restoring bits and pieces to make it a little nicer to drive.
Outside, this Chevy Camaro is draped in Camaro Gold paint, which is offset with twin black racing stripes running down the spine. The color is factory, but the owner opted not to restore the vinyl top, saying it would look a little “dated.”
The owner says he wasn’t sold on the gold paint at first, but after he saw it, he realized it was a perfect fit for the Chevy Camaro. “When I’m out and about, most people are the same way you and I are, they’re like ‘that actually looks pretty cool.'”
In the corners, the Chevy Camaro rides on Formula 45 wheels, finished in black, with 275 tires in the rear and 245 tires in front.
The interior was upgraded with a few choice bits and pieces as well, including new bucket seats and a three-spoke steering wheel, all of which come from Sparco. The owner says he still has the factory components hanging around in his garage if he wants to turn it back to stock. The car also retains the original owner’s manual, build sheet, and various documentation bits
Under the hood is a numbers-matching motor, namely a carbureted Small Block Chevy 350 V8. The ‘eight connects to a Muncie four-speed transmission, 12-bolt rear end, and 3.31 gears, while spent gasses exit through a custom exhaust with Doug’s Headers and Flowmaster mufflers. The suspension spec includes Detroit Speed components front and rear, including new control arms, shocks, and springs.
All in all, this Chevy Camaro keeps the good stuff, while adding to it where appropriate. Check out the full build in the video below.
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Comments
This generation of Camaro is what Chevrolet should have used as a model for the current generation of Camaro which looks too similar in form with the Dodge Challenger. Thanks to a strong, performance oriented marketing focus the Challenger has garnered more attention and consequently earned a superior level of coolness.
The train has already left the station with the current gen Camaro having been left behind. If the Camaro is to continue, it needs to change its focus to more of what I see as a performance coupe with an international air, which is how I see the direction taken back with the ’70 Camaro.
I had a Camaro Gold ’70 RS/SS as my second Camaro. My first was a ’67 RS/SS with a 327 Muncie Rock Crusher 3-speed. Wish I had kept both of them. Sold the ’70 to buy a ’72 Monte Carlo SS 454.
I know where my ’67 is and the second owner wants $80K for it. It’s still bone stock with everything numbers matching, original Maderia Maroon paint, white nose stripe, black vinyl top, black interion and dog-dish hub caps. Oh the good old days…I think my ’67 was in the $2,500 range when I ordered it.
At the risk of being “That Guy” I do want to point out that the Muncie M22 “Rock-Crusher” is a 4-spd manual transmission.
If your Camaro had a 3-spd manual transmission it would have been the Borg-Warner M13 HD (with a floor shifter) or the Saginaw M15 (with a column shifter).
Also of some note; If your Camaro had a 327 it wasn’t an SS – The smallest engine in the SS was the L48 350 300hp/380tq.
It still could have been an RS 327 with either the LF7 210hp/320tq or the L30 275hp/355tq.
You are correct…it has been 54 years since owing the ’67. I started digging in old pictures and it was a 350 with the 3-speed on the floor so it has to be the Borg Warner. Old pictures are worth their weight in gold.
Thanks for making me look for the pictures, Dave C!
This body style, shape is the only car that’s been keeping my interest stoked for Chevrolets.
To Stuart –
I agree that Chevrolet should use the 2nd gen as “inspiration” for a new Camaro – I completely disagree that they should have used it for the current model.
I think that the current model is the nicest one since the early 2nd gen (‘70-‘73) and I HAVE a ‘78 Z-28!!!
I cannot possibly disagree with you more that “the current generation of Camaro…looks too similar in form with the Dodge Challenger” – (EVERYTHING that you said after this is complete nonsense!!!).
If anything the current Dodge Challenger looks like its original model (‘70-‘74) which was a DIRECT rip-off of the first generation of Camaros (‘67-‘69).
Google pictures and decide for yourself…
Dave, I agree with your points about the Challenger – the present day is basically a copy of the original Challenger/Barracuda which adopted the long hood/short rear deck notchback roof with kickup fender line look also had by Camaros and notchback Mustangs of the early pony car years.
Fast forward to today – Mustang has dumped the notchback in favor of the 2+2 fastback body type which gives it stand alone credibility among the three neo-pony cars, while both Challenger and Camaro are using the same notchback look of the originals. Its as if both are fighting each other for the same kind of customer which IMO hurts the Camaro – I think marketing of today’s Challenger is superior in defining the kind of badass experience its buyers are to expect.