The Chevrolet Camaro has always been one of America’s most popular performance cars. Who doesn’t love legendary small-block power in an attractive platform that, for much of its fifty-plus years, had serious track capability? That said, only recently have builders and collectors realized the true potential and desirability of the second-generation ‘panther’.

When it comes to second-generation Camaros, many enthusiasts might argue that the best of the car’s 12 model years were 1970-73. The early 1970s were a time when big-block power was still plentiful and bumper regulations had yet to seriously impede design and appearance. In factory guise, there were two different styles of Camaro: full-bumper cars and the coveted Rally Sport, which boosted style with a completely different front-clip. But style, like many things, is a matter of opinion. And recently full-bumper builds have become almost as popular as Rally Sport builds, whether through the Rally Sport’s relative exclusivity or simply because ‘regular’ cars are awesome in their own right!

This Camaro’s current metallic sheen is a modern take on its original Antique Green paint.

Full Bumper Delight

This particular full-bumper Camaro, owned by George Rex, wears a smashing coat of Metallic Antique Green paint under familiar black Rally Stripes. A modern take on the Antique Green poly the car rolled out of the factory with, that pigment looks natural between SCCA-inspired D80 spoilers. Those spoilers, like the aforementioned stripes, are most likely correct equipment since the car was born a Z28. Details include traditional stainless trim, modern headlights, and bright LED taillights that feature optional Z21 Style Trim rings.

Photo by Austin Philpott

Back in 1971, American culture was full throttle – unapologetically bold, rebellious, and effortlessly cool. Everything had style, and freedom of expression exploded. Bell bottoms, fringe jackets, and aviators ruled the streets. Rock music was dominated by Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Hollywood was finding its dark side with movies like Dirty Harry. In short, there was grit in music, realism in the films, rebellion in the streets, and pure adrenaline on the roads.

As it tends to do, pop culture had a significant effect on cars and car sales, and as the muscle car era peaked, chrome, curves, and cubic inches ruled the day. Perhaps that culmination of the best of all things infused the second-generation Camaro with the sort of style and athleticism that, recently, many enthusiasts have begun to equate with ultimate. Or perhaps the car’s design, infused with heavy European influence that created a sort of unspoken counter to the muscle car movement, is why it spent decades virtually unnoticed. Either way, you can’t argue with an all-American V8, and this Camaro’s small-block Chevy is about as American as V8s get!

This Camaro’s old-school small-block mixes traditional LT-1 style with modern Holley Sniper fuel injection.

Small-Block Sentimentalism

Between the fenders, a traditional-looking small-block, appropriately dressed as an LT-1, stacks Holley Sniper fuel injection on a Winters aluminum intake. Corvette-style valve covers are tilted over coated headers and MSD Street Fire Wires. The engine bay is much nicer than stock, with Gloss Black fenders and modern fender braces complementing a brushed breather and a brushed air cleaner. And components for modern Classic Auto Air Conditioning are a dead giveaway that this second-generation Camaro is modded the right way.

As we all probably know, Resto-Mods are classic cars that, restored to look mostly original, feature select technology and performance enhancements. For many of us, this is the perfect compromise between the traditional rides we know and love and something that is more livable and drivable on today’s highways. Key to the Resto-Mod movement is, as with this Chevy, retaining classic good looks while upgrading drivetrain, comfort, and safety components like brakes, steering, and lighting. In short, a Resto-Mod is where nostalgia meets engineering.

While this stylish Camaro might seem like just another pampered and polished classic, a closer look reveals serious Resto-Mod hardware hidden just beneath the car’s timeless aesthetics. The upgraded small-block funnels power to a fresh Richmond 5-speed, which spins torque through an impressive GearFX 9-inch rearend that’s built with a posi-traction differential and 3.70 gears. Detroit Speed quick-ratio power steering works well with Detroit Speed coil-overs, tubular Detroit Speed control arms, and a big Detroit Speed sway bar. Throaty Flowmaster exhaust sounds tough without being overbearing or obnoxious. And at the corners, forged, 18-inch 3030 Autosport wheels spin a tasteful gold sheen in front of muted Baer calipers that clamp 13-inch drilled and slotted rotors.

Inside the car, tall Recaro seats complement a correct Standard Green interior.

Green To Go

Between the doors, a retro green sheen spills over a factory dash pad and factory door panels, in a nod to the Standard Green interior fitted to this coupe when it rolled off Norwood’s fabled assembly line. However, as with the car’s exterior and mechanicals, the cockpit boasts a roster of notable tweaks that add both style and function. Slick Dakota Digital RTX telemetry flows nicely into a black lower dash that’s finished with a modern Alpine CD player. That head unit, both Bluetooth capable and satellite compatible, bumps crisp JL Audio speakers. A short Hurst shifter toggles the Richmond transmission. The car’s factory low-back bucket seats have been swapped for sturdy Recaro thrones. Upgraded foot pedals include a floor-mounted accelerator. The driver keeps control through a sporty Momo Prototipo Heritage wheel.

Given the second-generation Camaro’s focus on performance, specifically in SCCA Trans Am competition, it seems perfectly fitting that these classics provide an excellent platform for Resto-Mod performance. This sweet F2 Camaro isn’t just some fragile garage queen. It was built to be driven and enjoyed, with reliable, well-integrated upgrades that seriously enhance the ownership experience.