In the world of the first-gen Camaro, it is hard to build something that no one has ever seen. Sure, each car has details that can set it apart, but to build a complete car that makes even a hardcore Camaro fan stop and truly appreciate all the work done is hard to do. That said, the Ringbrothers have accomplished that task with the “Strode” 1969 Camaro.
It’s unimaginable how many hours were spent to perfectly recreate a 1969 Camaro body with carbon fiber. That’s right, we’re told the body is all woven materials. This first-gen Camaro is a thorough reimagining of iconic American muscle, utilizing extensive carbon-fiber construction and components merged with a modern drivetrain, chassis, and suspension. With only two parts of an original Camaro used, Strode actually took more than 6,500 hours to complete.
Not your typical ’69 Camaro.
“We wanted to push the limits of what we can do and showcase our capabilities with Strode,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring. “It is a radical rethink of the original Chevy Camaro, expanding its dimensions and levels of performance. With its one-off carbon-fiber body and thousands of hours of custom work, there has never been another Camaro like it. Of course, we must thank our partners Motul, HRE Wheels, BASF, Miller Welding, Flowmaster, and others for helping to make Strode something even Michael Myers can’t catch.”
As you can surely imagine, most of that intense time consumption involved constructing the body. However, this is not just a reproduction of the Camaro’s original body. Ringbrothers started by widening the new version by 5 inches. The rocker panels are lowered, the center of the roof is recessed, and a lengthened and reshaped hood helps push air into relocated intake vents. Other carbon-fiber touches include custom fender scoops, tucked front and rear bumpers, diffusers, valances, and a spoiler. When the body was deemed ready, it was then covered in BASF’s Glasurit Ghost White paint.
A car of this caliber could not go out the door with an interior that simply blends in. For that reason, modern comforts and conveniences come from a fully custom interior by Upholstery Unlimited. Appointments include a JL Audio sound system, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Vintage Air Gen IV climate control system. A hand-fabricated roll cage protects the occupants while the absence of a rear seat sheds additional weight.
Not incorporating a modern drivetrain, chassis, and suspension was never an option with this first-gen Camaro. A Wegner Automotive LS3 is topped by a Whipple supercharger that provides a healthy 1,010 horsepower. Fuel delivery is aptly handled by a Holley Dominator EFI system. Burnt fumes are exhaled through hand-built headers and Flowmaster mufflers. Helping to put the power to the ground is a reworked Bowler Transmissions-prepped T-56 six-speed manual transmission and a John’s Industries 9-inch rearend.
Under all that designed excellence lies a true LS monster.
Chassis mods include a Detroit Speed Engineering hydroformed front subframe that supports Roadster Shop FAST TRACK suspension parts and is damped with QA1 MOD Series coilovers. The front wheels are moved forward 3 inches for improved stance and handling. HRE Wheels Ringbrothers G-Code Edition wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires to provide the necessary grip, while Baer brakes bring this first-gen Camaro to a rapid stop.
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“The build process of Strode shows what can be accomplished using cutting-edge techniques, painstaking levels of detail, and imagination,” added Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “We digitally modeled the original Camaro body and rendered a more aggressive version of it in carbon fiber. Custom 3D-printed and billet-machined parts were also manufactured and paired with advanced components to make Strode extremely capable and comfortable.”