Culture|Garage

It’s kinda weird. I have been on a bit of a Camaro kick lately, and it’s cars like this that keep me coming back for more. Although I am loathe to use terms like “murdered out,” I think this Camaro is the definition of the phrase. Actually, I think “knockout” is more accurate, as it is sure to have you falling all over yourself with desire upon first glance. Starting life as a complete, clean 1969 Camaro RS, the builders at G-Force Design Concepts took things a bit further, and, well- just look at it.

If any other word could describe the FUEL Camaro other than black, it would be sanitary. Obviously, keeping a hard shine on the bodywork was important to the builders, but keeping the execution tidy was paramount for the car. Starting underneath the beast, a DSE 4-link suspension gives the Camaro a sportier-than-stock ride, while Koni adjustable coil-over shocks replace the old “spiral” shocks originally installed on the car.

But that ain’t all, folks. Other enhancements include a panhard bar, tubular upper and lower control arms from DSE, and DSE steering gear and tie rod adjusters. Oh, and a Hotchkis front sway bar offers even more control in the corners. This isn’t the Camaro the uncle you never talk about drives, this is a real feat of engineering.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the car is the fiber. No, not fiberglass, yes, carbon fiber. But this isn’t your typical application, this is the driveshaft. Yep, 545 horses are twisted into the pumpkin by what is, essentially, a hard roll of cloth. Truly amazing.

Since we are underneath the car, the rearend is a Ford, er, Moser 9″ piece running 33-spline axles, with a set of 4:10 gears inside. Yep, drag gears, baby. Putting the rubber to the road is a set of HRE 843R wheels, which have been anodized black to assist the “sinister” look. They are big ‘uns, too, with 18×8.5 hoops up front and 18×12 out back. Behind these rollers are a top-notch braking system from Baer- 6-piston calipers and 14″ discs all around. Heck, those are almost wheels in themselves!

Opening the door, passengers and drivers alike are greeted by an interior that is second to none. Sparco racing seats replace the factory buckets, and a matching back seat beckons to those who are short-of-leg (hey, it’s a pony car, whaddya expect?) A moly rollcage blends in nicely with the Marquez- fabbed interior panels, and the dashboard gives a decidedly custom flair to the car. Vintage air brought the cold, while a “custom” stereo system floods the cockpit with sounds unlike those the engine can provide. A custom steering wheel and shifter, along with aftermarket gauges round out the insides of the car, lending the NASCAR stocker feel to the interior. Well, that, and the fire extinguisher. Getting groceries should be no problem with this ‘Maro, either, as the trunk has also had a visit from the upholsterer.

Before we visit the crowning jewel of this, and heck, let’s face it, ANY musclecar-the engine- let’s take another look at that beautiful black body. DSE minitubs in the rear make plenty of room for the steamroller-sized rim-and-rubber-band setup on the rear axle. DSE electrics also open the doors for the headlights- a feature that’s sorely lacking on modern cars. When’s the last time you have seen hidden headlights on a modern production car? The Fiero? The RX-7? The Firebird? Obviously, the finish of the car is second to none, and when working with black paint, that really matters.

So onto the big moment- lessee that engine, eh? Pop the rather subtle-but well executed- cowl hood and raise ‘er up…yeah, be careful, the bottom of your jaw could hit the core support. It’s a 402 cube Chevrolet, breathing through an Australian-built Harrop “Hurricane” (say hur-ick-an to sound more Aussie if you like) intake. Pretty trick, wouldn’t you say? It’s a far cry from the “hamburger” style air cleaners found on your run of the mill 350, and besides being extremely functional, it is aesthetically pleasing. Form meets function, indeed.

PRC “stage 3″ heads sit on either side of the lifter valley of the LS2, while-wait for it- a Speartech fuel injection harness feeds fuel to the fire, while the motor breathes through a beautiful chrome throttle body, resulting in a mind-blowing 545 horsepower and 496 lb-ft of torque. Behind the motor, a Tremec T-56 wide-ratio 6-speed handles the swapping of the cogs.

Is it different? Yes. Does it move? Absolutely. Would it be impossible for your average Joe to build his own homage to the FUEL Camaro? Not at all. A lot of the parts on the car are off-the-shelf, and attainable. The rub is the desire for quality that makes this musclecar such a standout.

It’s low, lean, and mean- it’s the FUEL Camaro. A knockout punch to the teeth from any angle. For more, be sure to check out the links below- and keep your saliva off of the keyboard, please.

Pictures and information shamelessly stolen from: G-Force, Hot Rod

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