By Scotty Lachenauer – Images by the Author
Carl Melendez, a Camaro enthusiast, purchased a 1969 Camaro from a friend to help him fund an engagement ring. Though the car was just a shell, Carl saw its potential and began transforming it into a modern muscle car, incorporating top-notch parts. Initially, he rebuilt it with upgrades like an LT1 engine, but later decided to go even further. In 2019, he enlisted Main Street Classics to complete the project, installing a modern chassis, a powerful LSA engine, and custom bodywork. The car’s interior, crafted by Gillin Auto Interiors, features Lamborghini-inspired leather. Carl is thrilled with his one-of-a-kind Camaro. Read full article here.
Tech Check
Owner: Carl Melendez, Dix Hills, New York
Vehicle: 1969 Camaro
ENGINE
Type: LSA
Displacement: 376 ci
Bore: 4.065
Stroke: 3.622
Compression Ratio: 9.1:1
Crank: Stock forged steel
Rods: Stock steel powdered metal
Pistons: Stock cast aluminum alloy
Cam: Stock hydraulic
Valvetrain: Stock hydraulic roller lifters, die-cast roller fulcrum rockers, stainless steel solid stem valves
Heads: Stock aluminum rectangle port
Intake: Stock cast aluminum
Induction: 87mm throttle body, 59-pound fuel injectors
Supercharger: 1.9L Supercharger
Drive System: CVF
Radiator: BeCool with Dual Spal Fans
Output: 553 hp, 551 lb-ft of torque
TRANSMISSION
Trans: 6L90E
Driveshaft: Aluminum driveshaft from Drive Shaft Shop
DIFFERENTIAL
Rear: Ford 9-inch, 3.73 gears, Strange 31-spline axles
CHASSIS
Steering: Roadster Shop rack-and-pinion
Front Suspension: Tubular control, arms, Penske coilovers
Rear Suspension: Four-link rear suspension Penske coilovers
BRAKES
Front: Baer six-piston calipers, 13-inch rotors
Rear: Baer six-piston calipers, 13-inch rotors
EXHAUST
Headers: Stainless by Roadster Shop
Mufflers: Stainless Bro’s
Tips: Stainless
INTERIOR
Seats: Recaro LX
Wheel: Sparc Industries
Column: Ididit
Gauges: MoTec 12-inch Digital Display
Carpet: Relicate supplied the carpet and hides for interior
Shifter: Stock ZL1 shifter
Pedals: Lokar
Accessories: Custom console
Interior designed and built by Gillin Interiors (Florida, NY)
WHEELS & TIRES
Wheels: Forgeline FF3C wheels 18×9.5 front 18×12 rear
Tires: Continental ExtremeContact Force 275/40R18 front 335/30R18 rear
EXTERIOR
Grille: Factory-style RS
Hood: Stock hood with heat exchanger vents from 1969 Camaro Skunkworks
Bumpers: Stock with shaved hardware
Paint: Acura Kaiser Metallic
Door Handles: Ringbrothers
Headlights: Morimoto LED
Taillights: Marquez Design LED
Rear Spoiler: Kindig It Design
Custom Metal Work: Main Street Classics (Lindenhurst, NY)