There are few things we can think of better than a classic car that produces modern power, so catching a glimpse of this tastefully built ’69 naturally aspirated Camaro made our day. We’ve all seen the horror stories of restomods gone wrong. When it comes to these classic beasts, less is more, which makes us appreciate this 640 horsepower Big Block 502 ci Chevy Camaro even more
AutotopiaLA caught up with Tony DeLuca to check out his wicked 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and tear up the streets. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t disappoint. The Camaro RS/SS has some pretty awesome mods, but not to the extent you might expect. Some may be upset by the notion of upgrading this timeless classic, but as Tony said, it’s his car, and he can do with it what he wants. Fortunately, he didn’t go crazy, and the car is, well, as close to stock as possible.
What you’ll first notice about the Camaro is the custom-made one-off wheels. The polished finish complements the silver exterior, and the black stripe adds to its menacing presence. Another thing you’ll notice right away is the 502 badge sitting on the front, letting you immediately know of its intentions, even if the car is parked.
However, the real fun starts once you pop open the hood, and the ’69 Camaro boasts a mean 502 Big Block V8. To honor its heritage, it’s carbureted with an upgrade kit from Edelbrock. Tony calls the horsepower output “mild,” which is technically true in comparison to his other car, a 1970 Chevelle with a 632 V8 and 850 horsepower.
The Camaro sounds otherworldly, thanks to a fully custom header-back exhaust from a shop in Southern California. The custom-built headers and full exhaust are well-designed for the aggressive cam that chops nicely on idle. With all that power means it needs a stable ride and the ability to stop, which is taken care of by an upgraded front suspension and set of Wilwood brakes.
The interior of the Camaro sticks to the 60s theme, boasting the original seats with updated upholstery. It was important to keep the classic look intact, so DeLuca kept the original dash and shied away from any typical restomod upgrades. He kept the cassette player in the center stack and said he doesn’t need music with the sound emanating from the car. “Driving down the coast all I need to hear is the car.”
Who needs a radio when you have the soundtrack of a Big Block V8? Make sure to check out the video below to see what this Camaro is packing.
