The 2013 Classic Industries SEMA display, booth #23975, will be hosting two world-class Camaro builds this November. One is a unique 1969 427 Camaro, a collector car built by drag racing pioneer “Mr. Chevrolet” Dick Harrell. The other is a Smokey Yunick inspired car, a 1968 model built by renowned custom car builder Bodie Stroud for actor/comedian Tim Allen.
The Dick Harrell 427 Camaro started life as an SS 396 car and was immediately sent to the Dick Harrell Performance Center to be upgraded with the best components of the day, including an iron-block 427ci with a ZL1 camshaft, 4.56 gears, and Lakewood traction bars.
Tim Allen's 1968 Camaro has been restored and upgraded by Bodie Stroud with the best components available today, including a 505 hp LS7 427 V8, steering and suspension by Detroit Speed, Brembo brakes, and a variety of other subtle custom touches. The end result is Tim Allen’s state-of-the-art interpretation of what hot rod legends such as Smokey Yunick would have done with today’s technology.
“I raced a lot of fine-ass Detroit muscle cars in the late sixties and early seventies, but one was a monster, a buddy’s freak stock 327 1968 Camaro,” said Tim Allen. “I loved the look of that body. Now combine that with the subtle features found in the Smokey Yunick Trans Am car, my teenage COPO fantasies and when I heard the sound of the new Chevy 427… this project was hatched.”
This Camaro collaboration between Tim Allen and Bodie Stroud was recently televised on Speed Channel’s Hot Rod TV with parts supplied by Classic Industries. The help and support from the automotive restoration industry leader was well received by Bodie Stroud’s team.
“We would like to give a special thanks to Classic Industries,” said Bodie Stroud, “for putting up with us during this build. For our numerous phone calls and their prompt response to ‘we need it pronto!’ It wouldn’t matter what language we said it in, they knew exactly what we meant.”
The project originally aired June 8th, 2013 and took seven months to build using hundreds of parts from Classic Industries including bumpers, spoilers, and many interior specialty items. Classic Industries will host the first public unveiling of the car during the upcoming 2013 SEMA show in November.
