GM Week Builder’s Showcase : Win’s Glowing 1973 Chevy Camaro RS

A little over a decade ago, Win grabbed this 1970 RS for a cool $250. Initially, the aim was to turn it into a drag car, but it started collecting dust faster than it was gaining steam along his desired path. One day, Win’s father casually mentioned that the ‘70 RS was a car he always desired. So, riding on a need to make his father happy, Win started dedicating most of his spare time to this glassless roller in 2015.

Over the course of a few years, Win cleaned up the few spots of rust and transformed it into a functioning car. At this stage, he came across a wrecked 2014 Camaro with a LS3/6L80. The first major step involved a friend with a wrecked 2014 Camaro who offered Win its LS3. That put some fire under his ass and encouraged him to swap in the new motor and drivetrain, then retrofit some bits in the footwork, and transform it into a looker that he and his dad could be proud of.

After stripping the interior, Win sprayed the subframe with POR-15 before bringing out the new suspension and brake upgrades. With Hotchkis drop springs up front and DSE drop springs in the rear, he had the athletic stance he was after. After that, he made sure the stopping power was appropriate for a retrofitted car; a set of Right Stuff disc brakes brought the Camaro to a stop in the way a pro tourer should.

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Then he removed the rear suspension and started spraying the undercarriage. With a coat of Raptor Bedliner applied, it looked flossy. After that, in went a 10-bolt Eaton Posi in its new Moser pumpkin driving power out through a set of Moser axles.

Back to the powertrain, he ran into a few snags. The motor went in relatively easy, but its massive 6L80E took a little bit of planning before he tried setting it in its new resting place. A few parts made Win certain he’d done his math correctly. Along with an Energy Suspension transmission mount, Speedtech's T-56 Transmission Tunnel had to be welded on for required clearance. A Hooker crossmember and a Pontiac G8 oil pan solved the remaining issues with the available real estate.

Then as soon as the new goodies went in, they were removed. The body was stripped and the required sheetmetal was applied as Win got his Camaro ready for a few coats of paint it’d been needing for decades.

And off it went to spend a year in paint prison. However long it took and all the irritation it brought—all that seemed insignificant when he finally saw a few progress pictures from the shop. During its stint it was block sanded, straightened, and smoothened—plus it had a new trunk pan added and the dash cowl corners had a few spots of rust excised from them. With a new base coat of gold, the Camaro’s progress started his imagination working overtime; sleeping throughout the night was getting to be a challenge.

With his eagerness beginning to affect his productivity at work, Win had to force himself to distance himself from the project. At the time, they shop was applying the numerous coats of
PPG Vibrance paint. Time passed with the Camaro out of sight and mind, but when he was able to finally trailer his gleaming pride and joy home, he felt its grip on him once again.

After ogling his new beauty, Win immediately set about installing the powertrain and the Vintage Air system. He didn’t have much time before he’d send it back to the bodyshop for a paint test; he wanted a set of stripes.

There was more cosmetic stuff to be done. The chrome bits were powdercoated and new lights were fitted, black bezels and all. The contrast between the orange paint and dark accents, plus the intake cover painted to match the body, were all that this build required to become a true head turner.

As for the interior, there’s some work to do. Thus far, he’s added Clayton Machine Works Anodized Billet pedals, a Nu-Relics Power window kit, Dakota Digital HDX Series Gauges, and a Billet Specialities 14" D-Shaped Steering Wheel. He’s still got a bit more planned for his cabin and should send it off to Deluxe Jose Interior for the big changes.

Once that’s sorted, he’s going to add 18" backspaced Forgiatos, upgrade the brakes with a Wilwood kit, and get a serious audio/visual system installed. The project, something he couldn’t have done without his friend O, is nearly finished. We’re sure his dad will appreciate it once it rolls up his driveway.

To keep tabs on Win’s progress, follow him @royaltyridez