By Fuelish Media – Images by the Author
A first car is more than just transportation, it’s a symbol of freedom, independence, and the beginning of a new chapter. While today’s standards might make them seem less impressive, those early rides held a unique charm that’s hard to replicate. Looking back, would you still cherish your first car, or has time dimmed its allure? Some people hold onto their original cars, while others move on but intimately spend years searching for a replica to relive those nostalgic days. As anyone who’s tried knows, recreating the past is rarely as simple as it seems.
Jeff Johnson, of Yorba Linda, California, knows this all too well. After graduating high school with an engineering scholarship, Jeff’s parents surprised him with a 1969 Camaro—a car that would become an integral part of his life. He and his friends made countless memories, and he even had a first date with his future wife, Joyce, at the 1972 Winternationals in Pomona. However, when Jeff and Joyce got married, they had to make a difficult decision: sell the Camaro to purchase essential household items. While it was a tough choice, they knew it was the right one for their future. Joyce’s father stepped in to help, allowing Jeff to drive his old 1962 Chevy wagon, affectionately nicknamed “the bus.”
After 50 years of marriage, Joyce decided to it was time for Jeff to search for another 1969 Camaro to relive their youth. To Jeff’s surprise, he found a suitable car just a short distance away, much closer than he had anticipated. With renewed enthusiasm, Jeff began planning to build a bigger, better, faster Camaro than his original. He was immediately drawn to the crate engines offered by Smeding Performance, which provided the horsepower and reliability he desired for daily driving. The Smeding 572ci engine was a perfect fit as it can easily crank out an easy 737 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque while running on regular 91-octane fuel.
To handle the increased power, Jeff carefully selected a suspension system from Total Cost Involved. Their front and rear kits were known for their performance and distinct tubular subframe design. A full set of Ridetech coilovers ensures a comfortable ride, while the rear four-link provides excellent handling. To match the power output, Jeff chose a TREMEC T-56 manual transmission, which was a perfect fit for his Camaro.
When customizing the car’s appearance, Jeff opted for a sleek, minimalist approach with carefully selected premium components and genuine OEM-style replacements. He conducted extensive research, both online and in person, sourcing parts from local suppliers like Classic Performance Products and Classic Industries, as well as frequent visits to the Pomona Swap Meet. Every part he purchased was brand new; he found the quality and pricing at Pomona to be unbeatable. To give the Camaro a classic, eye-catching look, Jeff chose the iconic Le Mans Blue paint color. He also added an AMD 4-inch steel cowl hood and Billet Specialties Street Lite wheels, creating a stunning combination of timeless style and performance.
Jeff’s first Camaro had a slightly modified 427ci engine, a four-speed transmission, and a suspension setup that included 90/10 shocks and rear lift bars. When he would engage the clutch, the entire car would lift 5-6 inches, which always drew attention. While it was fast, it wasn’t particularly well-suited for winding roads, and the drum brakes left something to be desired. In contrast, this new Camaro with its full TCI suspension system is in a completely different league in terms of handling—it even outperforms the Corvettes he’s owned. The six-speed transmission and 4:36 gears provide significantly better acceleration, and the Wilwood brakes offer exceptional stopping power. The dual-disc clutch has been flawless, whereas his old Camaro required a new 11-inch clutch every six months.
Now that his second 1969 Camaro is completed and as thrilling to drive as the one he had in his youth, Jeff is eager to put as many miles on it as possible. Jeff’s new Camaro is the ultimate revitalization of his younger self’s dreams. He still finds it hard to believe that he actually owns a car like this. Despite achieving his dream of owning a muscle car, Jeff attributes his passion for automobiles to his early experiences, particularly his first Camaro, which took him on countless adventures.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
Tech Check
Owner: Jeff Johnson, Yorba Linda, California
Vehicle: 1969 Chevy Camaro
Engine
Built & Tuned By: Smeding Performance
Type: 2012 Chevy/Dart “M” Block 4.63 bore 572
Crankshaft: 4.250-inch stroke, 4340 forged steel, micro-polished and chamfered, #1 and #4 rod pins hollowed for lightness, Nitride surface treatment, internally balanced
Camshaft: Smeding hydraulic roller
Rods: Forged H-beam
Pistons: Flat-top, high-silicone forged aluminum
Rings: Moly faced, ductile iron upper, reversed taper, beveled second, light tension three-piece oil
Cylinder Heads: AFR aluminum
Induction: Edelbrock Victor Jr. single-plane intake manifold
Accessory Drive System: Concept One serpentine belt system,
Oil Pan: 6-quart Milodon
Fuel System: Holley Quick Fuel 950 carburetor
Cooling: Concept One water pump, Performance Rod & Custom core support, radiator, condenser, overflow tank assembly, dual electric fans
Exhaust: TCI headers, Custom stainless steel 3-inch exhaust system by Muffler Man, Black Widow mufflers
Engine Dress Up: Stainless steel braided lines for water, A/C, fuel, and power steering; billet hydraulic clutch reservoir; undercover firewall cover; Ringbrothers billet hood hinges
Drivetrain
Transmission: American Powertrain assembled TREMEC T-56 Magnum six-speed transmission with shifter and 3-inch aluminum driveshaft, Centerforce twin-disc clutch and flywheel
Rear Axle: Currie F9 9-inch, limited-slip differential, 31-spline axles
Chassis
Frame: Total Cost Involved (TCI) tubular front subframe and subframe connectors
Front Suspension: TCI power rack-and-pinion, tubular A-arms, and spindles
Rear Suspension: TCI antiroll bar and four-link with panhard bar
Springs/Shocks: Ridetech single-adjustable coilover shocks
Brakes: Wilwood 12-inch rotors with four-piston calipers, Classic Performance Products Hydrastop with built-in prop valve, JEGS Stage Control line lock
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: 17×8 and 17×11 Billet Specialties Street Lite wheels
Tires: Nitto NT555, 245/45R17 and 315/35R17
Interior
Seats: Procar by Scat Rally Naugahyde seats (front), Procar by Scat rear seat cover, Classic Industries three-point harness belts
Gauges: Auto Meter carbon fiber
Steering: Ididit chrome tilt column, Billet Specialties steering wheel, CPP stainless steering shaft and U-joints
Pedal Assembly: Classic Industries
Carpet: Classic Industries
Air Conditioning: Vintage Air climate control
Misc.: Original vents, Classic Industries door panels
Wiring: American Autowire
Exterior
Hood: AMD 4-inch steel cowl hood
Grille: Zook billet insert
Fabrication: Detroit Speed and Engineering mini-tubs
Paint: Chevy Le Mans Blue
