The Right Moves: LS3-Powered Pro-Touring 1968 Camaro

The Pro-Touring movement has been a popular one and for a good reason. You get to take a classic muscle car and introduce a host of modern parts and equipment, giving you classic lines combined with contemporary performance. While many vehicles are used for Pro-Touring builds, the first-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a prevalent choice. These pony cars offer killer lines and have been a popular choice for hot-rodders and drag racers since the car’s introduction. And while they looked good in the ’60s, they’ve only gotten better with time. When combined with modern suspension and tires and wheels, the first-gen Camaro shines.

AutotopiaLA gives us a look at why the first-gen Camaros are so popular in the above video. Shawn Davis of Autotopia found this 1968 Camaro during a COVID cruise and knew he had to feature the car. The first-gen owner, Erick from Trap House Clothing, gives us an inside look at this car and all of the modifications.

One of the first things you will notice about this beast is the stance. The ’68 sits on coilovers on all four corners and SpeedTech suspension. The Camaro has been mini tubbed and clears a set of Nitto 315/35/18’s on the rear. Upfront is a set of Nitto 215/35/18’s with 18-inch Forgeline CF1 forged one-piece monoblock wheels on all fours. For added stopping power, modern Z06 brakes were added to the mix, both front, and rear.

Under the hood sits an LS3 6.2-liter engine with a FAST intake manifold, black accessory drive, and a set coil covers. While Erick doesn’t get into too many details on the powerplant, he does mention that it has a cam and makes 570 horsepower to the flywheel. He states that the car is not “fast, fast, but it’s fast enough.” The LS3 is tied to a manual TREMEC TR-6060 transmission. The Camaro rids itself of spent gasses through a set of Ultimate Headers and a Borla exhaust system.

While not much has been modified in the way of the exterior, you can certainly tell that the paint color is not something that would’ve been used in 1968. Erick says the car was painted with a factory Corvette metallic gray from 2017, and it pops. With painted bumpers, black door handles, and the new color, the Camaro has a perfect balance of modern and classic styling.

The interior is more of the same, with TMI products used for the seats, door panels, and center console. An iPad was even grafted into the dash of the ’68. Even though we don’t get to see what it controls, it still looks cool.

Vehicles like Erick’s show us the true potential of a classic car when built with modern performance parts. Pro-Touring might be the best thing to happen to vintage vehicles because you get the best of both worlds.

 

More Sources

About the author

Brian Havins

A gearhead for life, Brian is obsessed with all things fast. Banging gears, turning wrenches, and praying while spraying are just a few of his favorite things.
Read My Articles