1969 Pro Touring Camaro - Something Better

by: Tom Panaseny, Tampa, FLbr Tom Panaseny grew up on Long Island, NY helping his Dad work on the family cars. In 1969, his neighbor drove home in a new 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car - white with orange stripes and orange interior. Tom thought it was the coolest car hed ever seen. It made a lasting impression, and started his love of Camaros. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-1.jpg"img class"alignnone size-large wp-image-813" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-1-1024x680.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-1" "610" height"405" aMoney was tight in the early 70s, so Toms first cruiser ended up being a tired old 64 Mustang, beat up from many years enduring NY winters. It did not take long though, before Tom joined his Chevelle and Cuda driving friends and built a total 1923 T-bucket with blown 350, and all of the good stuff. Talk about one extreme to another! His first Camaro - a new 1989 IROC-Z - turned into an obsession. Once the loan was off, Tom made the car his. He replaced the stock 350 Tuned Port engine with a Lingenfelter-built 420 cube small block (with Vortech supercharger running 7 lbs. of boost), completely made over the drivetrain, and added custom red and a tweed interior. Quarter miles of 10.8 seconds at the drag strip were not too shabby either! Features in various magazines including iCamaro Performers, Super Chevy and Chevy High Performancei immortalized the car, so Tom decided to sell it. Next up, Tom turned his attention to the often overlooked second generation Camaro. His new obsession was a 1970 Z28. He did a frame off restoration, gave the stock, numbers matching 350 a rest and dropped in a ZZ430 GM crate engine. That car was sold in 2003. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-2.jpg"img class"alignnone size-large wp-image-814" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-2-1024x651.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-2" "610" height"387" aTom wanted to do something different for his ultimate love: the 69 Camaro. In 2006, he started searching for 69 Camaros and finally found this car in the iClassic Auto Traderi in Orlando, FL. It had recently been relocated from South Carolina. As best as Tom could determine, the car started life as an original SS 350 Camaro. It was now a 396 4-speed car with really nice DuPont red base coatclear coat, deluxe interior and factory 12-bolt. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-3.jpg"img class"alignleft size-medium wp-image-815" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-3-199x300.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-3" "199" height"300" a Something different turned into something better. The car came apart on a 4-post lift in Toms garage and everything was detailed, restored or modified to better overall There are more than a few big block '69 Camaros running around today, I wanted mine to stand out - reflecting a attention to detail, all the while maintaining that classic muscle car look, Tom said. When he got tired of the stock 325 horsepower 396 (simply not enough grunt for his taste), Tom turned to local engine builder, Gil Alfaro in Riverview, FL for help building a new 496. The goal was 600 hp and 600 lbs-ft in a streetable big block. They started with a new World Products Merlin III block, and after much collaboration decided on Brodix 115cc Race Rite Oval Aluminum heads with 2.25 intake and 1.88 exhaust valves. The PAC nitrided Beehive springs (rated at 180 lbs on the seat and 475 lbs open), keep the custom Comp Cams Hydraulic roller cam in check. Cam specs are a streetable 242248 duration with .631.626" lift. Comp Cams Ultra Pro Roller Rockers and Morel Sportsman Hydraulic roller lifters round out the valve train. The intake is an Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap underneath a custom-built Pro-Systems 986 cfm carb. The exhaust is spit out through 2" Hooker Competition headers into a dual Magnaflow exhaust. A Pertronix III distributor feeds the Taylor 8.2 mm ignition wires. The Melling HV Oil is always Brad Penn Performance Oil. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-4.jpg"img class"alignright size-medium wp-image-816" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-4-300x155.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-4" "300" height"155" aThe stock Muncie was replaced with a Keisler Tremec TKO-600 kit. The rear gears are 3.73 with new Moser Axles spinning the American Racing 17" wheels and BFG radial TA tires. Cal Trac traction bars and Hotchkis weld-in subframe connectors help keep the torque on the ground. The suspension is Hotchkis front and rear springs, lowering the ride height 1.5 inches with Edelbrock shocks and a fast ratio AGR steering box. A 3" thick Griffin Aluminum radiator with March Serpentine system using the stock clutch fan keeps the 600 hp big block cool in the Florida heat. The frame stands, valve covers, air cleaner, intake and other were all coated by Alan at ProCoat Performance Coatings in Tampa. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-5.jpg"img class"alignleft size-medium wp-image-817" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-5-300x199.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-5" "300" height"199" aThe addition of Auto Meter "bowtie" gauges in the factory console which monitor fuel, voltage, temperature and oil are the only changes to the factory deluxe interior. Tom remarks, It's taken 6 years of blood, sweat and tears to get to this He still to upgrade, including new Wilwood 4 wheel discs brakes. He drives the Camaro to local cruise-ins, shows and just for fun. And, has always taken home some type of trophy at all the events he has attended. For the 16 years, Tom has been a member and club VP of the Sunshine State Camaro Club. This association has led to his next a one-owner 1967 Camaro. The owners widow reached out to the club looking for a buyer who would treat the car as her husband had. Roys car will undergo a frame-off re-build with a theme. a href"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-6.jpg"img class"alignnone size-medium wp-image-818" src"http:blog.rickscamaros.comwp-contentrickscamarosuploads20140369-Camaro-6-300x199.jpg" alt"69-Camaro-6" "300" height"199" abr