By Tommy Lee Byrd – Images by the Author
Seller’s remorse is a real thing, and it affects a huge percentage of gearheads. Once the car gets out of the seller’s hands, it could end up a thousand miles away, or worse yet, it could end up wrecked or parted out—the unknown is the part that makes us remorseful. Second chances are rare, but for Chad Culbertson, owner of a roofing company in Fall Branch, Tennessee, it worked out in his favor, as his slick 1970 Camaro came back around when the time was right.
Chad originally bought the car as a project in January 2011. The body was in primer, and the car needed a lot of work to reach the finish line, but he had a vision for the future. Lucky for him, a good friend, Chad Ball, and his shop, Chimney Top Performance, could turn that vision into reality.
Chimney Top Performance reworked the front suspension with Detroit Speed components, including tubular control arms and coil springs. Although the front springs are designed to bring the ride height down a couple inches, Chimney massaged them for a more aggressive stance. Out back, it has a pair of Detroit Speed 2-inch lowering leaf springs. After the stance was dialed in, a staggered set of 18-inch Budnik Gasser wheels and Michelin tires sealed the deal for this killer Camaro. Front and rear sway bars keep the car level in hard corners, while Wilwood disc brakes provide excellent stopping power. Fox Shocks tuned by Hotchkis ride on all four corners.
While the car was apart, Chimney smoothed the firewall and added a custom bulkhead for the A/C system. All hoses, wires, and plumbing are tucked tightly to give the engine bay a clean look, while custom headers and a Holley oil pan allowed fitment of the Chevrolet Performance LS376/515 crate engine. Other underhood modifications include Detroit Speed fender braces and Ringbrothers billet hood hinges. A Be Cool aluminum radiator and dual electric fan setup keeps the engine cool, while Chevrolet Performance valve covers with relocated coil packs and a custom-machined valley cover provide a great look. Behind the LS-based engine is a TREMEC five-speed transmission and further back is the original 12-bolt rearend, packed with 3.73:1 gears and Moser axles.
Although the car was in primer when Chad got his hands on it, the body was originally painted in Citrus Green with black stripes. The sheetmetal was in fair shape, and all along the plan was to keep the flat hood and short spoiler, even though modern trends at the time were leaning toward a cowl induction hood and tall rear spoiler. Chimney straightened the body and laid down the Axalta ChromaPremier base/clear materials, mixed in Hugger Orange with white Z28 stripes. Then, it was time for sanding, polishing, and final assembly. The original bumpers, including the Rally Sport split front bumpers, were rechromed, and Chad used N.O.S. front spoiler, headlight bezels, and windshield moldings.
Steve Holcomb at Pro Auto Interior stepped in to wrap the original bucket seats with black leather, using TMI foam underneath. Factory-style door panels are in use, and an original dash is filled with AutoMeter gauges, while a Budnik steering wheel ties into the tire and wheel package. Chad upgraded to Morris three-point seatbelts and then added a combination of Alpine and Rockford Fosgate components for a killer audio system. Vintage Air heat and A/C keep the driver compartment comfortable.
After a few years of work, Chad was able to start driving his Camaro and he enjoyed taking it to shows in Eastern Tennessee. He eventually sold the car in 2017 and kicked himself within a few months of the transaction. He looked for the car at car shows all over the Southeast: the Pigeon Forge Rod Run, the Daytona Turkey Run, and the Charlotte AutoFair. He resorted to social media and was able to find the car through a Facebook group. As it turns out, the car was only a 1/2 mile from his house, and the owners had taken very good care of it. He was able to buy the car back in 2024 and it was unchanged from his configuration. Now that it’s back in his hands, he plans to continue showing it and driving it, but this time he doesn’t plan on turning it loose again. He got his second chance and he’s making the best of it.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
TECH CHECK
Owner: Chad Culbertson, Fall Branch, Tennessee
Vehicle: 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS Z28
Engine
Type: LS376 Crate
Displacement: 376 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
Bore: 4.060 inches
Stroke: 3.620 inches
Rotating Assembly: Nodular iron crank, powdered metal rods, hypereutectic pistons
Cylinder Heads: GM L92 style with 68cc chambers
Valvetrain: 2.165/1.590 valves with 1.7:1 rocker arm ratio
Camshaft: GM hydraulic roller, 226/236 duration, 0.525/0.525 lift
Ignition: MSD
Intake: GM aluminum 4150 flange
Carburetor: Holley HP 750 cfm
Assembly: Chevrolet Performance
Exhaust: Custom 1-7/8 headers, 3-inch stainless exhaust, Borla mufflers
Ancillaries: Chevrolet Performance valve covers, relocated coils, Vintage Air Front Runner serpentine drive
Output: 533 hp and 477 lb-ft of torque
Drivetrain
Transmission: Keisler Engineering RS600 five-speed, Quick Time bellhousing
Rear Axle: Original 12-bolt, GM Posi, Moser axles, 3.73:1 gears, Detroit Speed cover
Chassis
Frame: Original subframe with Detroit Speed subframe connectors
Front Suspension: Detroit Speed tubular control arms and springs
Rear Suspension: Detroit Speed 2-inch drop leaf springs
Brakes: Wilwood disc, 12.88-inch rotors, six-piston front, four-piston rear
Master Cylinder: Detroit Speed
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Budnik Gasser 18×7 and 18×9
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 225/45R18 and 275/40R18
Interior
Seats: Stock with TMI foam
Steering: Original column, Budnik wheel
Shifter: Keisler Engineering billet
Dash: Stock
Instrumentation: Auto Meter
HVAC: Vintage Air
Audio: Alpine head unit, Rockford Fosgate amp
Exterior
Paint: Axalta ChromaPremier Hugger Orange by Chad Ball at Chimney Top Performance
Hood: Original
Grille: Stock
Bumpers: Stock
Lights: Stock
