[AmitUk]

I have loved muscle cars since I was a kid. As an adult, watching the masters like Chip foose and his counterparts on countless car shows on sky tv strengthened that love even more. I knew some day, I would build the car of my dreams, and that day is finally here.

I am going to build a car that embodies everything I love about motoring. Retro style, Lots of usable power, and as much 21st century auto tech. as I can get in. I want a retro bruiser with all the mod cons.

The current plan is, 600hp LS3 motor,
Ridetech full air Suspension upgrades and sway bars managed by Accuair ride management
Rotiform
modern design red leather interior
modern lighting
digital computer controlled dash and electronics
lots of custom gizmos and gadgets

Paint wise I am thing of a dark but heavily metalic grey. Almost like shadow chrome you get on some wheels.
Bespoke body mods including front valance, rear diffuser, side skirts and rear gill.
Lots of carbon trim

The majority of the build work will be taken care off by the excellent Retro Power

This build thread will serve as summary of the build. For full blow by blow updates and pictures, follow the build on
the project facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ProjectNighthawk
and on Twitter here https://twitter.com/#!/ProjNighthawk

[AmitUk]

Phase one was to come up with some designs. Mike Gillett did an excellent job of turning my ramblings into renders.







more designs Design concepts and rendering

Next, I needed a car to base the build on. I found a beautiful 69 camaro SS clone in hugger orange that had already had some resto work in the past, but you guys convinced me it was too good/original to base the build on, so that was promptly sold and replaced with this rotter off a shell.

Unfortunately I had to buy the shell blind, but the seller assured me it was a perfect base car due to my extensive plans and that structurally it was sound








see the full gallery of base car pics

[AmitUk]

The car was delivered straight to Retro Power from the seller.

I had heard lots about the abilities of Callum and Nat at retro power, and had read countless forum posts and mag articles about their previous builds.

Seeing their metal work skills on some of their previous projects, and their very reasonable costs and working practices made them a winner.

The boys got straight to work tearing the car apart ready for blasting, which is when we found out, things werent as rosey as the first seemed.









Full gallery of the car pre blasting

After that, there wasnt much car left for blasting! but we had come too far now to turn back so on it went for media blasting and zinc priming









Full gallery of blasted car

[AmitUk]

Way guys.

no comments?

Is its that bad lol

[Sauron67MM]

Ambitious endeavor. It's not bad if you expected it to look like that after inspection. I recently sold a '68 rolling shell in similar condition but the roof, upper skeletal structure and tailpanel and were solid. All else was toast. $400. "Structurally sound" is open to interpretation as evidenced the seller who told you it was. I informed the buyer who called on the '68 the car was a complete piece of junk and to expect the worst. He was not disappointed. I have a '69 available to me in similar condition to your carcass. I see the shop you chose is using a lacquer system.

[AmitUk]

$400 wow! I am in the UK so we dont have the same choice. I paid around $4800 for this car :S

I dont understand your comment about the lacquer system? is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[kettbo]

YIKES! Good luck! I'll be watching!

[ZLP955]

Good luck there Amit - no question it's an ambitious project. Some pretty cool looking renderings there from your "Carchitect" - You mind letting us in on your budget for this build?

[restore-z28]

Amit the good news is all that metal is available in the aftermarket, looks like lots of panel replacement will be key. As others have stated this will be an ambitious project.

[AmitUk]

Yep guys.. its cetainly going to be a BIG project, but you only live once

Originally Posted by ZLP955

Good luck there Amit - no question it's an ambitious project. Some pretty cool looking renderings there from your "Carchitect" - You mind letting us in on your budget for this build?

Budget is around £50k gbp around $80k

Originally Posted by restore-z28

Amit the good news is all that metal is available in the aftermarket, looks like lots of panel replacement will be key. As others have stated this will be an ambitious project.

Any recommendations on where to get the best metal?

[AmitUk]

small project Update.

thanks to


I have almost an entire camaro in a box on its way by boat to me.

Should be here by late july then the fun can begin

If you ever wondered what a camaro kit looks like in a box.. here it is



Amit

[convertible68camaro]

Wow I'm really want to follow your build.
Great plan
-Bill

[AmitUk]

After what feels like for ever, the parts have finally arrived at retro power HQ

Again big thanks to Auto Metals Direct for helping us out with the panels. Not easy to come by in the UK

Big truck full of camaro


Flat pack camaro


Next step are to formulate a plan and start gluing all this together.

Dont forget to like the facebook page below or follow us on Twitter for blow by blow updates.

Summaries will be posted up in this thread

[gearheads78]

I will be watching this one come back from the dead.

[SixtyAte]

I have a spaghetti strainer with less holes than that car Best of luck on your project, and keep us posted with pictures !


Kev