For every muscle car there is
a family car counterpart.
A muscle car by definition is a factory
built hot-rod.
Typically an intermediate size car with an
engine borrowed from a full size carline is
the basis of the muscle car.
Factory mag wheels, custom add-ons and
sometimes the lack of trim used on the
family car version set the muscle car apart
from its less athletic sister ship.
Two customers recently had Select Motor
Company in Ball, Louisiana, restore their
muscle cars, each with their own twist on
custom.
One customer was a lady who wanted her 1968
Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible to look stock
yet have a few "stealth" upgrades.
The other customer was a man who wanted to
take his 1966 Chevelle SS 396 to another
level of customization and performance, but
wanted to keep some of the factory flavor.
The exterior of the 1968 Camaro was to be
restored with an original appearance.The
only exceptions would be to remove the
original 14" Ralley
 wheels
and replace them with 15" Z28 Ralleys with a
new set of redline radials as opposed to
the original style redline bias-ply tires.
The exterior of the 1966 Chevelle would also
be restored to its original color of Bolero
Red. However, the trim such as the wheel
opening moldings, rocker moldings and drip
rail moldings would be deleted.
The factory SS 396 and Chevelle emblems
would remain.
The wheel opening lips
on the rear quarter panels
were trimmed to allow
more tire clearance and precise
measurements were taken to squeeze in
all of the custom wheel and tire a 1966
Chevelle can swallow.
A replacement glass kit with smoke
tinted glass was also used to customize
the exterior appearance of the Chevelle.
The 1968 Camaro was upgraded with
factory style four wheel disc brakes.
The 1966 Chevelle was upgraded with a
large drilled and slotted Wilwood four
wheel disc brake package.
The 1968 Camaro was restored with fresh
factory style suspension with the
addition of larger than stock sway-bars.
The 1966 Chevelle received a complete
Global West suspension
 upgrade.
This upgrade included tubular A-plates
and
adjustable four - link bars.
The Camaros original engine was rebuilt
to run on premium unleaded.
The Chevelle received a General Motors
Performance Parts Division ZZ454 Crate
Engine with aluminum heads, roller cam,
and a host of other performance parts
conservatively rated at 430 horsepower.
The ZZ 454 is also built to run on
premium unleaded.
The Camaro originally a four speed car
was converted to a four speed automatic
using a factory 1968 Camaro automatic
shifter and console.
The automatic shifter was reworked from
its two speed power glide function to
select the four gears of the 700R4
automatic overdrive transmission.
The Chevelle was originally a four speed
car and the original four speed Muncie
M-21 was rebuilt and reinstalled.
The engine compartment in these two
cars, as in all cars, would be a
defining area of style and quality.
The style chosen for the 68 RS/SS would
be an original appearance with "stealth"
upgrades as on the rest of the car. A
subtle approach, if you will.
 A
restoration with original type
accessories, low rise air cleaner, GM
hoses, tower clamps and original style
markings and decals would accentuate
this cars engine compartment.
A "stealth" MSD ignition
box would be added to help with the cold
starts and to more thoroughly burn the
air fuel mixture provided by the Quadra
jet carburetor.
The '66 Chevelle engine compartment
would be restored to a more custom
style.
The firewall was
smoothed. It and the inner fenders were
painted body color.
An aluminum radiator with electric
cooling fans was added. 
The ZZ454 crate engine was dressed
with a Billet Specialties serpentine
belt system, custom braided steel
heater and A/C hoses and a factory
low rise chrome air cleaner for
that
"factory flavor" .
Both cars carry a strong appeal in
each of their circles of
restoration.
Their engine compartments making two
entirely different statements which
are both widely received as
excellent.
View
The Complete 66 Chevelle Restoration
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Fathers Day
Gifts He'll Love!
The Gift Shop at Select Motors has a
complete selecion of classic and muscle car
gifts. Come in and check us out or shop on
line
Click Her to Shop
Online
Or give us a call to order over the phone
800-716-9635
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