This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Restomod takes one of Chevrolet's most
recognizable muscle-car designs and gives it the drivetrain,
suspension, braking, and comfort upgrades needed to make it a
legitimate modern cruiser.
At the center of the build is a 6.0-liter LS2 V8, delivering the
reliability, power potential, and drivability that have made the LS
platform such a popular foundation for high-end restomods. The
engine bay has a purposeful, finished appearance with black
Chevrolet-script coil covers, a large cold-air induction system,
tubular headers, and modern accessory-drive components.
Power is sent through a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission to a
stout 12-bolt rear end equipped with 3.73 gears. This combination
gives the Camaro the relaxed usability of an overdrive automatic
while still providing the gearing needed for responsive
acceleration.
The exhaust system is considerably more serious than what would be
found on a typical cruiser. The photographs show long-tube headers
feeding a true dual exhaust system with electronically operated
exhaust cutouts, allowing the driver to substantially change the
character and volume of the car when desired.
Cooling and accessory systems have also been modernized. An
aluminum radiator helps manage engine temperature, while
CVF-branded accessory components are visible under the hood. Most
importantly for a car meant to be driven, this Camaro is equipped
with cold air conditioning, controlled through a clean Vintage
Air-style control panel integrated into the factory-shaped
dash.
Modernized Chassis
The chassis is where this Camaro separates itself from a basic LS
swap. It rides on coilovers at all four corners, with tubular front
suspension components clearly visible underneath the car.
At the rear, the Camaro has been converted to a 4-link suspension,
providing substantially better axle control than the original
leaf-spring arrangement. Combined with the coilovers, the setup
gives the car a lower, more aggressive stance while providing
substantially more modern suspension geometry.
Stopping performance has also been upgraded with disc brakes at all
four corners, including drilled rotors visible through the wheels.
The result is a drivetrain and chassis combination designed to work
together rather than simply adding horsepower to an otherwise stock
1968 platform.
Exterior
The body is finished in a deep gray metallic that gives the
first-generation Camaro a contemporary appearance without taking
away from its classic shape. A contrasting silver accent treatment
across the front of the hood and fenders adds definition to the
nose.
Additional exterior details include a:
Blacked-out front grille
Chrome front bumper
Front chin spoiler
Rear decklid spoiler
Chrome rear bumper
Tinted glass
Chrome exterior mirrors
Cleanly integrated marker and lighting details
The stance is finished with large staggered modern wheels. The tire
photos confirm 215/40ZR18 tires up front and 275/30ZR20 tires at
the rear, giving the Camaro an appropriately wide rear footprint
while maintaining good front clearance.
Interior
Inside, the Camaro maintains the basic character of the original
cockpit while incorporating the components expected in a modern
restomod.
The cabin is finished predominantly in black and features high-back
bucket seats, a full center console, automatic floor shifter,
custom three-spoke steering wheel, and modern digital gauges
mounted within the classic twin-pod instrument location.
Blue-backlit instrumentation provides modern readouts while
retaining the general appearance of the original Camaro dash.
Additional auxiliary gauges are positioned in the console.
The center stack houses the air-conditioning controls and a
retro-style digital stereo, giving the cabin modern functionality
without installing a large touchscreen that would look out of place
in a first-generation Camaro.
Woodgrain console accents, billet-style pedals, interior courtesy
lighting, and clean black door panels complete a cabin that feels
considerably more finished than the average drivetrain-swapped
classic.
A Complete First-Gen Restomod
The appeal of this Camaro is that the upgrades extend through
essentially every major system. It isn't simply a classic body with
an LS engine dropped into it.
It combines the 6.0L LS2, electronic overdrive automatic, 12-bolt
rear with 3.73 gears, rear 4-link, four-corner coilovers, tubular
front suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, long-tube headers,
electric exhaust cutouts, modern cooling, and cold A/C into one
cohesive package.
For someone who loves the styling of a 1968 Camaro but wants the
power, braking, suspension, highway manners, and comfort of a much
newer performance car, this restomod delivers exactly that
combination.
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