By Nick Licata – Images by Michael Christensen
Quite a few noteworthy milestones went down way back in 1984. Worth mentioning is the debut of the Apple’s Macintosh computer, Clara Peller asked “Where’s the Beef” in the iconic Wendy’s television commercials, John Huges made his directorial debut with Sixteen Candles, and most of us learned who we’re gonna call if we saw a ghost or any paranormal activity.
To Michael McKeeman all those goings on paled in comparison to the fact Michael’s dad bought him a 1969 Camaro that same year, which was his first car and in fact the same exact car you see on these here pages. We could embellish a story about Mike and his relationship with the car, but we know when a story is told firsthand it’s much more interesting, so we’ll let Michael take it from here.
“This was my first car. I was 15 years old living in Vancouver, British Columbia, when my dad bought the car in California for $500. It was white with black stripes, had a 307ci engine, and a TH300 transmission. It showed up just a few days before Christmas 1984; I was mesmerized and convinced that it was the coolest car ever.
Throughout high school, I worked on the car with my dad and friends making small improvements. I swapped the engine for a souped-up 327, installed a shift kit, added Centerline wheels (skinnies up front, bigs out back, of course), and even repainted the car. I drove it with my friends all around the Vancouver area along with a few road trips into the interior of British Columbia.
When I went to college in California, I needed a more reliable car as I drove back and forth from Berkeley to Vancouver three to four times a year. I reluctantly parked the Camaro with the intention of getting it back on the road right after I finished college. Work, marriage, and kids soon took the “pole position,” so the Camaro sat in the garage for the next 30 years. Despite it sitting, I couldn’t bring myself to let it go—there were too many great memories created in “the coolest car ever.”
In 2016 my father [died]. Although not a wealthy man, he did leave my sister and I a little money. I wanted to do something with it that would remind me of my dad, so fixing up the Camaro was the perfect way to do so.
After talking to several shops in the Bay Area, I decided to go with Gary’s Rod and Restorations in Watsonville, California. From the first meeting with Gary I knew the car would be in good hands. I pulled the car out of storage in early 2021 and we got started. The goal was to modernize the drivetrain and suspension with subtle exterior upgrades while staying true to the car’s original design.”
Under the hood went a Don Hardy Race Cars (DHRC) LS3. This beefy 418ci engine comes to life with a compression ratio of 10.8:1. The cylinder heads, CNC-machined by DHRC, provide superior airflow, while the DHRC 4340 crankshaft, rods, and 4032 pistons ensure unparalleled durability and precision.
The DHRC camshaft optimizes the engine’s performance, while the Holley induction and fuel injection systems keep the powerplant breathing easy. Exhaust gases escape through Detroit Speed & Engineering (DSE) headers, feeding into a custom 3-inch stainless exhaust system crafted by Gary’s Rods and Restorations, topped with Borla XS mufflers for a deep, commanding tone. The engine produces an impressive 650 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque, making this Camaro a true street terror.
Supporting ancillaries, like a smoothed Edelbrock water pump, Powermaster alternator and starter, and a Mattson aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, ensure reliability under even the harshest conditions. A Melling oil pump and ARP fasteners add the finishing touches to an engine.
Channeling the LS3’s immense power to the pavement is a Silver Sport TREMEC TKX five-speed transmission. This gearbox is complemented by a McLeod twin-disc clutch and flywheel for seamless shifting. At the rear, a DSE 9-inch rear axle houses Gear FX 3.70 gears, a Truetrac posi differential, and 33-spline axles, provides plenty of strength and consistent traction.
Michael’s Camaro handles curves with the agility of a modern sports car, thanks to its upgraded suspension. Up front, a DSE hydroformed subframe features DSE tubular control arms, spindles, and JRi double-adjustable coilover shocks. A 1 3/8-inch sway bar and rack-and-pinion steering, offers precise control in most any driving situation.
The rear suspension features DSE’s QUADRALink system with JRi double-adjustable shocks and 250-pound springs, along with a 1 1/8-inch sway bar. The result is a balanced chassis capable of tackling tight corners and spirited drives with ease.
To ensure the Camaro can stop as impressively as it accelerates, Michael opted for a Baer braking system with massive 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers at all four corners. An electric ABS power brake master cylinder offers a smooth pedal feel, adding a layer of modern safety to this classic machine.
Rolling on Forgeline ZX3P wheels—18×8.5 up front and 19×11 in the rear—this Camaro exudes an aggressive stance. The brushed nickel wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires, with 245/40R18 rubber up front and massive 325/30R19 tires in the rear, ensuring ample grip during acceleration, cornering, and braking.
Inside, Michael’s Camaro remains true to its roots with a factory-inspired interior, carefully refined by Finish Line Interiors in Santa Clara, California. Stock seats provide period-correct aesthetics while offering modern comfort. Black Mercedes German loop carpet adds a touch of sophistication throughout.
The steering is managed via an Ididit column and the original steering wheel, while a Hurst shifter maintains the car’s muscle car heritage. The stock dash houses Dakota Digital gauges, blending the timeless look of analog gauges with modern functionality.
Creature comforts include Vintage Air HVAC for year-round driving and an Alpine PXE-C60 Optim 6 Processor head unit, powered by two Hertz amplifiers, delivering quality sound through four interior Alpine speakers and two Alpine subs located behind the rear seats.
Outside, the Camaro features stunning originality combined with subtle enhancements. The bodywork executed by Gary’s Rods and Restorations looks brilliant under the Axalta Blue mix with Corvette Code 10 White rally stripes. Both the front and rear bumpers have been tucked for a cleaner appearance, while the Detroit Speed mini-tubs provide the necessary real estate to house the bulbus meats out back.
Other body modifications include an Anvil Auto front spoiler, a Kindig It rear spoiler, shaved driprails, and a custom rear rollpan with integrated exhaust exits. The finishing touches, such as Eddie Motorsports taillights and Intek Otto side mirrors, complete the look Michael was after.
Michael McKeeman’s 1969 Camaro represents a true classic car imbued with modern performance and reliability. Whether it’s the 650hp LS3, the advanced suspension and brakes, or the flawless combination of vintage and contemporary aesthetics, this Camaro is a masterpiece.
“The end result far exceeded my expectations,” Michael confirms. “I know it would have exceeded my dad’s as well. At this point, all that’s left is to gather up my high school friends and head out on long a road trip.”
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
TECH CHECK
Owner: Michael McKeeman, San Francisco, California
Vehicle: 1969 Chevy Camaro
Engine
Type: Don Hardy Race Cars (DHRC) LS3
Displacement: 418 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.8 :1
Cylinder Heads: GM CNC by DHRC
Rotating Assembly: DHRC 4340 crankshaft, DHRC rods, DHRC 4032 pistons
Camshaft: DHRC
Machine Work: DHRC
Induction: Holley
Fuel Injection: Holley EFI by Auto Trend
Exhaust: Detroit Speed and Engineering headers, 3-inch stainless exhaust by Gary’s Rods and Restorations, Borla XS mufflers
Valve Covers: Billet Specialties
Accessory Drive: Billet Specialties
Ancillaries: Edelbrock water pump (smoothed), Powermaster starter, Powermaster alternator, Optima YellowTop battery, Mattson aluminum radiator, dual Spal electric fans, ARP fasteners, Melling oil pump
Output: 650 hp, 560 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Transmission: Silver Sport TREMEC TKX five-speed
Clutch: McLeod twin disc
Flywheel: McLeod
Rear Axle: DSE 9-inch rearend, Gear FX 3.70 gears, Truetrac posi, 33-spline axles
Chassis
Front Suspension: DSE hydroformed subframe, tubular control arms, DSE spindles, JRi double-adjustable coilover shocks, DSE 500-pound springs, DSE 1 3/8-inch sway bar, DSE rack-and-pinion steering
Rear Suspension: DSE QUADRALink, JRi double-adjustable shocks, DSE 250-pound springs, 1 1/8-inch sway bar
Brakes: Baer 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers, Electric ABS Power Brake master cylinder
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Forgeline ZX3P 18×8.5 front, 19×11 rear
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 245/40-R18 front, 325/30-R19
Interior
Upholstery: Factory style by Finish Line Interiors (Santa Clara, CA)
Carpet: Black Mercedes German loop
Steering: Ididit column, stock steering wheel
Shifter: Hurst
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital
Wiring: Painless Performance by Gary’s Rods and Restorations (Watsonville, CA)
HVAC: Vintage Air
Sound System: Alpine PXE-C60 Optim 6 Processor, Hertz HCP 4D four-channel amp, Hertz HCP 1D mono amp, Alpine S2-S65C 6.5-inch rear deck speakers, Alpine S2-W8d2 subwoofers, and CDT Audio 4-inch Slim Kick Panel 6.5-inch speakers
Exterior
Bodywork and Paint: Gary’s Rods and Restorations
Painter: Gary George
Paint: Custom mix Axalta, Axalta clear, Corvette Code 10 White rally stripes
Front Bumper: Stock, tucked
Rear Bumper: Stock, tucked
Taillights: Eddie Motorsports
Side Mirrors: Intek Otto
Plating: Bumpers, wheels, trim pieces brushed nickel by Advanced Plating
Body Modifications: Flus-fit glass, Anvil Auto front spoiler, DSE mini-tubs, modified inner fenders, Kindig It rear spoiler, East Bay Muscle Cars 1968 Camaro fuel filler kit, custom rear rollpan with exhaust exits
