Rebodied Chevy Camaro Combines Old School Design, Modern Tech: Video
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Gene Langmesser is the president and founder of an Anaheim-based custom car shop by the name of N2A Motors. Langmesser’s company specializes in applying old-school, retro styling to current day vehicles – so it should go without saying that his personal ride, which is based on a sixth-generation Chevy Camaro convertible, is something truly unique.
Langmesser’s re-bodied Chevy Camaro was the subject of a recent video put together by the auto-obsessed folks behind the Barcroft Cars YouTube channel. His car features a replica 1957 Chevy Bel Air front end, along with a restyled side profile inspired by the 1958 Chevy Impala, and the rear fascia from a 1959 Impala. As such, Langemesser refers to his oddball creation as the ‘789’.
According to Barcroft Cars, the 789’s fifteen-foot-long bodywork is mostly carbon fiber composite, although it was covered in a layer of fiberglass, which is apparently an easier surface to paint. He sculpted the bodywork by removing most of the stock Camaro body panels and laying about “1,500 pounds of clay,” over top of it, shaping the clay until it was up to his admittedly high standards. The vehicle is based on a sixth-generation Chevy Camaro SS and as such, is powered by a 6.2L LT1 V8 – which is factory rated at 455 horsepower in the Camaro.
Langmesser says he loves driving the 789, although his favorite part of owning the unique re-bodied Camaro is talking about and sharing it with his fellow car enthusiasts.
“I just love the reaction people have when they see the car,” he told Barcroft Cars. “You go to a gas station and it takes you 20-25 minutes to get gas and you’re almost feeling rude trying to leave, because people are still gawking at the car, taking pictures and everything else.”
Learn more about the Chevy Camaro based ‘789’ in the video embedded below.
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just leave the Camaro alone. You want a 59 or 57, go buy one. What a waste of money
Sad thing is Artist don’t copy bits and pieces of things other people already did what a Mess
What a mish-mosh. Why mix the 57 and 59? Johnny Cash sang about this car.
Funny how they kept showing a red 53 chevy when they mentioned 57 chevy
Butt-ugly……………..
This participated to the San Marino Motor Classics this year !
Do not understand why because it is not genuine as it is a hot rod
Do not understand either why guys do this mixing cars. Pimping my ride feelings
Maybe he pick up from a Recycling yard, some three died cars and did one, for this it is ok
but if he took a nice rear Impala and a nice Chevy Bel Air, then no, just go oldtimer market & buy an impeccable one
For the result, well, do not know what to say, if liked or just appreciated how odd is … for sure unique, any with own hobby
However been the opinion a car must be left how from factory came
if it were painted in Black would say he wants to be Batman
but as being cream and grey, it was not the case… still do not know the ‘whys’
for sure do not know who is worse, those spending lot of money in such custom cars or the guys waiting for a 2026 GM Corvetterrari … because know, the cars on shelves are not really nice, but they are prompt there to be chosen, if someone is looking for a car … > ok, understand so, cars are today so ugly, you make one by your own because you have much money to do and waste according own pleasure, when still are 4 wheels stop on red traaffic light for a green go… then ok for the own ego … however see daily in Hemmings nice old cars in top conditions to pick up
Hey GM ! Demand drives the market, not what some soccer mom survey from Darbekes ! People want style first, performance might not be in the top 5 of the top ten features. I firmly believe that all of the big three abandoning 2-door, 4-door, and the humble station wagon for larger (an in some cases super sized) pickups an SUV models will be your downfall. The Asian Big three (Toyote/Nissan/Hyundai-Kia) haven’t abandoned cars, yes they have their SUV models but they haven’t left the market. GM you’d do well to see exactly how much of your breakfast Mercedes has eaten with just their Mercedes Metris van than just by the way is the same size as your former Astro/Safari. And if you’re spending $42K to buy say a Chrysler Mini Van … that same $42K would buy you a dern well equipped Mercedes … I know I’m actually leaning towards the Mercedes myself. If you’re going to spend $42K, the Mercedes might be the best value, especially when your’re a buyer who normally trades every 8 to 10 years, not 2 to 3 years. And electric vehicles … I already see in suburbia that 99% of the homes and their power gride are really ready for this … the decision use the clothes dryer or charge the car … why ? You kick the breakers trying to do both. I praise the CA company building the retro cars … I’d be interested in a ’62 Nova concept, or ’66 2-door Malibu concept. In closing I’m not anti pickup or suv, no … but if anyone at GM really thinks thaey can meet the market needs with what they are currently offering … you won’t. Ford is going in the right direction with the Maverick, as is Mercedes with the Metris, but there is room to do better.
One of the greatest auto projects I have ever seen. Anyone can have a Camaro, but this is a work of art.
I would buy it in a heartbeat!
While I realize this is someone’s work of art…pride & joy, Camaro should not even be mentioned in the description.
I would never hack up a Camaro, to do that! However, to each his own.
Old news
People need to study 100 plus years of automotive design, customizing, and hot rodding then you’ll understand why we do this sort of thing. It is not for normal humans. My family has been in the customizing biz since the 1930s and we are still serving people who want to drive their own style of ride
I don’t see the Camero at all . It looks more like a 57 Chevy nose with a later model Impala rear.
Camaro is gone… only used camaro chassis….guess u didn’t watch the whole thing
It’s not a rat but a Brat Rod since $$$$ basically same concept. And art is subjective and is supposed to make you react so I say they check the boxes. As far as the design not a fan. Why would you not change the windshield? It does not follow the lines and strays from the classic design of the rest of the car. “If people don’t love or hate your work then you have truly done nothing”
I think it looks cheekingly fabulous. Masterfully conceived and professionally executed – so different from the clumsy, amateurish looking half-Camaro, half-pickup truck attempt done by a shop in Alabama recently seen here. I might have done the top front end in red or a dark blue instead of silver/grey, but overall it looks great for its comedic intent.
I get it. Love it. Plus not ruining a vintage classic.
If you want a classic ride without the deathtrap safety and modern maximum-aggressiveness… this is the way to do it.
The choices in vehicles were clearly necessary to be able to adapt to the modern Camaro unibody. You can’t just make it look like an old Camaro. But this, will fit the bill. Literally.
It looks like a Johnny Cash song.
I don’t get the hate, it’s no different then the ’80s Excalibur conversation that hacked up Mustangs to look like Duesnburgs.
For me it’s just a coool thing, nothing to complain about. I won’t mind owning one.
If you own a Pickup that got a Recall Letter pertaining to Passenger Air Bag Malfunction, make sure you don’t have a Cracked Dash. They have to remove the top of the dash to get to the Parts to Test or Replace. Thats what I was told by my Local Service writer. If the dash is Cracked, like mine, it will crack further and isn’t covered by GM.
Absolutely a hideous mess. But it’s not MY money that was wasted on it…
I think it’s great auto makers are attempting to mix it up with old style cars. Everyone knows old-style cars are classics. But with the new features of airbags and safety would be home run with Old style looks.