INTRODUCTION: Street Machine of the Year Top Five Finalist! That
honor wasn't based on looks alone. To qualify, it had to prove
itself on a slalom course, where it recorded the quickest time of
the competition, showing it's every bit as capable as it is
beautiful. It was professionally built by Roger Berman of Lakeside
Rods and Rides, one of the country's most respected high end
builders. Completed just over 10 years ago and driven fewer than
2,000 miles since, this is a professionally engineered, award
winning Camaro that's ready to impress on the street or at any
show.
EXTERIOR: This body has been extensively customized while still
unmistakably retaining the iconic 1968 Camaro styling. Up front,
the bumper has been deleted for a cleaner appearance, while the
lower valance has been extended downward with all the seams filled
smooth. The composite hood, custom grille, front spoiler, and
Harley-Davidson headlights give it a unique, aggressive look. Even
the trim, emblems, marker lights, antenna, and door handles have
been shaved for a sleek, uninterrupted finish. The rocker panels
have been extended two inches, and functional C6 Z06 Corvette brake
cooling ducts have been incorporated into the quarter panels to
direct air to the rear brakes. Around back, the craftsmanship is
even more impressive. The handmade rear spoiler is seamlessly
molded into the body, while the lower quarters and rear valance
have been extended two inches. The custom rear valance features
integrated exhaust outlets, a recessed license plate pocket, and a
functional air diffuser. The tail panel was redesigned to accept
1970 Camaro taillights, a flush-mount fuel filler, and a rear
bumper that's been narrowed, smoothed, tucked, and welded into the
body for a one piece appearance. The laser straight body is covered
in deep PPG black paint polished to a mirror finish. The glass has
been replaced along with all the weatherstrips, and the remote
operated doors eliminate the need for exterior handles. Topping it
off is a rich black cloth power convertible top, and it rides on
new 20-inch American Racing wheels wrapped in fresh high
performance tires. This is the kind of custom bodywork that takes
hundreds of hours to execute properly, and the craftsmanship speaks
for itself.
INTERIOR: This isn't your typical build with a few aftermarket
seats and gauges- it has been extensively redesigned and
handcrafted. The custom metal fabrication across the dash, along
with the one of a kind handmade center console, immediately sets it
apart. It features a full set of matching gauges, a Grant sport
steering wheel on a tilt column, and the ignition switch has been
relocated to the console for a unique, race inspired touch. The
custom console houses a ratchet shifter and the power window
switches. The door panels and dash pad are beautifully contoured,
stitched, and upholstered to match. New sport bucket seats with
racing harnesses keep you planted, while J&B Microfinishes
billet pedals add another high end detail. The rear seat has been
replaced with fully upholstered custom storage compartments, and
the floor is covered with custom fit carpet. A Bluetooth stereo
system with an amplifier and subwoofer provides modern sound, while
the integrated roll bar, tied directly into the frame, adds both
structural rigidity and an extra measure of safety. This is a
professionally designed custom interior where virtually every
surface has been reimagined and built specifically for this
car.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: It is truly a work of art. Every panel has been
custom fabricated from hand formed sheet metal, creating a clean,
seamless appearance unlike anything you'll find under the hood of a
typical Camaro. The attention to detail is remarkable, right down
to the custom master cylinder cover and billet hood hinges that
allow the composite hood to open and close effortlessly. Power
comes from a GM ZZ5 crate 350 producing 400 horsepower. It's
equipped with aluminum heads, an aluminum intake, an Edelbrock
carburetor, and headers for strong, reliable performance. A
serpentine Front Runner accessory drive with a modern alternator
and power steering keeps everything neat and dependable, while an
aluminum radiator with an electric fan ensures it runs cool. This
engine bay isn't just detailed, it's a one of a kind fabrication
that perfectly complements the caliber of the rest of the
build.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT: It is as custom as the rest of the car. It's
been completely boxed and upholstered for a clean, finished
appearance, with a neatly carpeted floor. Even the underside of the
trunk lid has been upholstered, leaving no unfinished surfaces. A
gel battery has been professionally relocated behind one of the
upholstered side panels, keeping it completely concealed while
remaining easily accessible.
UNDERSIDE: The chassis is every bit as impressive as the rest of
the build. Up front, it features a Detroit Speed X-Gen front
suspension with an all new crossmember and subframe, TIG-welded
tubular control arms, Detroit tuned coilover adjustable gas shocks,
an integrated splined sway bar, one-inch lowering subframe mounts,
forged spindles and tuned rack & pinion steering. Welded frame
connectors are countersunk into the floor, tying the front and rear
together for exceptional chassis rigidity. The rear suspension is
equally impressive with a Detroit Speed Quadra Link system
featuring tubular control arms, Koni adjustable coilover gas
shocks, and a rear sway bar. Stopping power comes from a Baer brake
system with drilled and slotted disc brakes at all four corners and
six-piston calipers front and rear- a feature rarely found on the
back of a street car. The parking brake is functional. A narrowed
fuel tank provides clearance for the suspension, while a great
sounding dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers exits cleanly
through the custom rear valance. Looking up at the engine,
everything is clean and it features a high torque starter. The
trans is upgraded to a TCI 700R4 overdrive automatic with a finned
aluminum pan and remote transmission cooler. A custom driveshaft
leads back to a heavy duty DSE 9-inch rear end with 3.73
Positraction gears. The floors are clean, professionally finished,
and protected with a durable, thin coat of bed liner.
SERVICE: We take pride in our cars and our reputation. Every
vehicle goes through our service department where it is inspected,
test driven, and we address the essentials before offering it for
sale.
CONCLUSION: I can guess what it would cost to have a shop of this
caliber duplicate this car today: A quarter million dollars? Maybe
even more, the hand crafted features take a lot of time and time
equals big money. The important thing is, it's already been built
by one of the industry's best. And this isn't just a beautiful
custom- it was engineered to perform. It proved that by posting the
quickest time on the Goodguys slalom course on its way to becoming
a Street Machine of the Year Top Five Finalist. It truly offers the
best of both worlds: show quality craftsmanship and real world
performance.
Vehicles are displayed in a museum setting. Admission applies
without an appointment and is refunded with purchase, including a
one-year museum membership.
815-385-3644 (9-5 Central)
[email protected] - Prompt responses
Power steering
Rack & pinion
4 wheel disc brakes
Custom chassis
9" posi rear
Power windows
Tilt wheel
Bluetooth stereo
Power cloth top
Integrated roll bar
Remote doors
20" wheels
