By Brandon Burrell – Images by the Author
When we think back on our high school days, there are always a ton of great memories and stories. The older we get and the further we are from that time in our lives, the more we are reminded of the good times. For Glenn Arledge of Columbus, South Carolina, a lot of those teenage years revolved around a 1968 Camaro RS. From cruising with friends to date nights, that car was always a big part of his life. Glenn bought the car when he was 15 years old from a neighbor who was a big Camaro guy, so Glenn was always over at his house admiring his car collection. It took about two years of begging before the owner would let it go. Knowing how much of a fan of the car Glenn was, he knew it would go to a good home. The factory 396 big-block and the Rally Sport hideaway headlights were what got Glenn’s attention. “My father loaned me $3,500 to purchase the car and I very slowly paid him back,” Glenn says. “It was 1986 and gas ran through that car quick, and even at 78 cents per gallon, most of my money went to fuel and tires.
“My fondest memories with this car were driving it every day to high school for three years, winning races on weekends to buy more fuel, and getting in trouble for running seven laps with it at the Charlotte Motor Speedway without permission,” Glenn laughingly recounts. “I continued to use the car as a daily driver all throughout my college years at UNCC and Clemson. Luckily, I never wrecked it.”
The car was retired from daily driver status back in 1994 when Glenn got married. It sat most of the time, other than the occasional cruise night or Sunday drive. This caused the transmission seals to leak, proving that not driving these classics does more harm than good. Glenn pulled the transmission with intentions of rebuilding it and getting it back on the road, but he started his own business, so the car got pushed to the back burner. It sat in his company shop for years as Glenn focused on work and family.
After deciding it had sat long enough, David Waldrop of Waldrop’s Restorations picked the car up in May 2015 and began the restoration process. The original plan was a simple engine rebuild, paintjob, and disc brake upgrade. Once David started the process, good memories kicked in, and Glenn decided he wanted a car he could drive again with reliability but with upgraded suspension, brakes, air conditioning (finally), and more horsepower. So, they decided on the restomod route.
The first thing to do was to get the car a better stance and modern handling. For this, the stock suspension was swapped for a Detroit Speed suspension system—a hydroformed subframe and coilover shocks up front matched to a QUADRALink rear system out back. Adding the modern suspension instantly gave the Camaro a smooth and performance-inspired ride. Big Baer disc brakes were added on all four corners while a Master Power Carbon X series master cylinder and booster offer a smooth pedal feel and precise operation.
With the rolling chassis done, it was time for additional power to make this car outperform what Glenn was used to. A supercharged 6.2L, LT4 Chevrolet Performance crate engine was transplanted along with a TREMEC TR6000 six-speed transmission. The American Powertrain clutch and bellhousing, along with a custom driveshaft from Carolina Driveline ensures all that newfound power gets sent to the Moser axles and 3:73 gears. The rear received mini-tubs to allow for larger tires during this time as well. The 3-inch stainless exhaust paired with MagnaFlow mufflers unleashes a roar that makes this new engine sound absolutely savage.
A car that drives and performs this well must look just as stunning—and thanks to Waldrop’s Restorations, it does. They stripped the body down, perfected every line and gap, and then laid down a layer of GM 1971 LeMans Blue. The result? A flawless finish that honors the classic style while making the car look and feel brand new.
The stock bumpers were refinished, and new Detroit Speed headlights reside behind the grille. Out back, a set of Eddie Motorsports taillights add additional flair.
Once the car was back together, all it needed were the right wheels, a custom interior, and a few finishing touches. To make it happen, Glenn had the car sent over to Nes Creations, where Jason Mode and his team took over to dial everything in.
Choosing the perfect wheels can make or break a build, so Glenn trusted Mode’s expertise. After some collaboration, they landed on a set of Schott V10 wheels—18×8 up front and 20×11 in the rear—wrapped in Toyo rubber. The setup perfectly nailed the look Glenn was after.
Impressed by Mode’s attention to detail, Glenn gave him full creative control on the interior. Mode selected a black leather and suede combo from Impact Leather Products, incorporating custom panels throughout that took the interior to the next level. The result is a perfect blend of classic style and modern flair.
Nu-Relics power windows and a new audio system added a modern edge, while Snowden front bucket seats and custom rear buckets ensure every passenger rides in comfort. A new Ididit steering column paired with a Billet Specialties steering wheel finishes off the cockpit with style.
To top it all off, components from Dakota Digital, Vintage Air, and Painless Performance Products ensure the car functions like it just rolled off a modern production line.
After sitting dormant for 21 years, then spending another 9 rebuilding, mostly due to Glenn stopping the process to make decisions on parts and plans, it’s now being driven as much as possible. These photos were taken the day Glenn got to start it and drive it for the first time in about 30 years and we could tell it made him feel like a kid again. Even though the process for some builds takes decades like this, the joy they bring to the owners makes it worth every bit of time and money.
Glenn said he never could have gotten his 1968 Camaro back on the road without the help and vision of Waldrop and Mode. Thanks to them, he and his wife can now take the car out on dates and relive the memories of their younger years.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
TECH CHECK
Owner: Glenn Arledge, Columbus, South Carolina
Vehicle: 1968 Camaro RS
Engine
Type: Chevrolet Performance LT4
Displacement: 6.2L (376 ci)
Builder: Chevrolet Performance
Bore: 4.065 inches
Stroke: 3.622 inches
Compression Ratio: 10:1
Rotating Assembly: Forged steel crankshaft, forged powdered-metal steel, forged aluminum pistons
Cylinder Heads: Rotocast aluminum
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller, 0.492/0.551 lift, 189/223 degrees duration at 0.050
Induction: Eaton 1.7L R1740 TVS supercharger
Exhaust: 3-inch stainless exhaust, MagnaFlow mufflers
Output: 650 hp, 650 lb-ft
Ancillaries: Anvil Auto carbon-fiber inner fenders, Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
Drivetrain
Transmission: TREMEC TR 6000 six-speed
Clutch: American Powertrain clutch and bellhousing
Rear Axle: Moser, 3:73 gears, Eaton Truetrac posi
Chassis
Front Suspension: Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe, Detroit Speed coilover shocks
Rear Suspension: Detroit Speed QUADRALink, Detroit Speed coilover shocks
Brakes: Baer 13-inch rotors, six-piston calipers front and rear
Wheels & Tires
Wheels: Schott V10 18×8 and 20×11
Tires: Toyo Proxes R888 255/35R18 and 285/30R20
Interior
Upholstery: Impact Interior Products black leather and suede
Installation: New Creations
Seats: Snowden front seats and custom rear buckets
Steering: Ididit column and Billet Specialties steering wheel
Dash: Stock modified
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital
Wiring: Painless Performance
HVAC: Vintage Air
Control Panel: Dakota Digital
Exterior
Bodywork and Paint: Waldrop’s Restorations
Paint: 1971 LeMans Blue
Grille: Stock with hideaway headlights
Headlights: Detroit Speed
Taillights: Eddie Motorsports
Side Mirrors: Original style
