This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro was campaigned by a privateer team in the SCCA Trans Am series in 1970 and 1971. The car was raced sporadically up through 1974 before going into storage. In 1999, it was discovered in a warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas and has since been restored for vintage racing. It is powered by a non-original 302ci Chevrolet V8 that runs on 110 octane race fuel and features correct cast iron heads, Hooker headers, a forged crank, roller cam, and remote oil filter. The transmission is an aluminum case Tex Powell T10 4-speed that sends power to a 3.91 12-bolt Chevy rear end with positraction. Historical documentation includes period photos, log books, and records of the restoration. The car is currently race-prepped and entered in the 2016 Rolex Monterrey Motorsports Reunion and Pre-Reunion this month, and the new owner can race it pending a driver change approval.
The previous owner restored the car and was able to uncover some of its history from Dave Steffans, who raced the car at Road America in 1972. The car ran several different liveries during its competition career, the last of which was similar to the one it currently wears. One of the original sponsors was located and helped verify the accuracy of the livery.
The car competed in 12 confirmed events in the 1970s, its best finish being a fourth overall at Road Atlanta in 1973 with Carl Shafer at the wheel. A 9-point cage provides roll-over protection.
The original sponsors included Twin City Tire of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and the car last ran the number 30 in period. The staggered wheel and tire setup looks aggressive tucked under the ’68 Camaro wheelwells.
The car was restored to its 1970 specifications including 4-piston Corvette brake calipers at the front, a dual chamber Corvette master cylinder, adjustable brake bias, and added cooling for the front brakes. 900lb springs are fitted at the front, and a 225lb 4-leaf setup is used at the rear. Additional suspension upgrades are detailed in the build sheet that can be viewed in the gallery below.
Some standard interior panels remain, including the original padded dash and black door panels. A custom aluminum gauge panel is fitted, and features Stewart-Warner gauges, an 8000rpm tachometer with memory, and Mallory Spark Control electronic ignition. A full width Wink mirror is fitted, and a new power steering box has replaced the original manual steering unit. The original racing seat is still fitted with a 5-point harness, and all safety equipment is said to be up to date.
The 302ci V8 was built by Lunati in period-correct fashion with cast iron cylinder heads. The engine is backed by an aluminum case Richmond T10 from Tex Powell Racing with a Hurst Shifter and drop reverse. The engine and transmission builds consist of the following:
- Rods, pistons, rings, cam, and rev kit by Lunati
- Forged Lunati crank
- Roller cam, Atwood pushrods, Crowler Shaft 1.5 Rockers, roller bearing timing gear set
- Chevy cast iron heads, 202-160 ported by Slover of Hollywood, California
- Holly 750cfm road race carburetor
- Z/28 intake manifold
- Moroso 7 quart oil pan and heavy-duty oil pump with oil restrictors
- Setrab oil cooler
- Remote oil filter
- 2 valve cover scavenge tanks
- Fluid dampener, harmonic balancer, and underdrive March pulley set
- 3 1/2″ exhaust with new tubular headers from Hooker
- J&R aluminum radiator with overflow
- Edelbrock aluminum water pump
- Quarter Master 3-disc clutch
The trunk is dominated by a Fuel Safe 15-gallon bladder tank with two Holley fuel pumps. A Mallory fuel regulator rounds out the fuel system. The 3.91 Chevy 12-bolt rear end features Eaton positraction, Ford heavy-duty bearings, and Dutchman 31 spline axles.
The car is shown on a period Trans Am grid above. The seller has provided several photos of the car in-period, showing the liveries it ran when originally raced in the Trans Am series.
Further information on the car is supplied in the gallery below, including more information on the specifications. This car can be competitive in various race organizations and offers the chance to get on the grid in one of the most exciting vintage racing classes. The car is sold on a bill of sale, and is ready to be raced at Monterey later this month.
