1968 Heidts Camaro Gives Retromod a Good Name

November 22, 2013
Story By
Kristin Cline

“Retromod” is a term you’ve probably been hearing lately. While one could say that the first retromods weren’t actually retro at all – they were the modified vehicles of whiskey runners and moonshiners, with beefed up inner workings to get the job done and a stock appearance so as to avoid attention. Today the retromod encompasses a thoroughly modern drivetrain and inner workings, giving the car great performance and driving comfort, while keeping a modernized stock appearance. It’s the way a 1968 Camaro would be built if it were to come out of the Chevrolet factory today. The rise in retromod-type cars and the success of events such as the recently reported-on Optima Ultimate Streetcar Challenge Invitational all indicate that a large number of auto enthusiasts love the idea of an awesomely-drivable modernized vintage car. Enter aftermarket parts companies…they’re the ones who provide the many goodies which enable us to upgrade that old heap of junk into a weekend warrior.

Heidts 1968 Camaro is a great example of a retromod-styled vehicle. It’s one that can drive you to the track in comfort and also win you the trophy while you’re there. Local competitions through sanctioning bodies such as SCCA, NASA, or USCA all provide safe and legal venues to test your car’s limit - and this Camaro is certainly one that was intended to test the limits.

Beginning its life at Heidts as an R&D car, the Camaro worked as a guinea pig while Heidts developed their 4-link suspension. Years passed and the Camaro wasn’t seeing much action, although the idea was always to make this into an R&D car that could also attend events and showcase Heidts products. Eventually Hedits engineering department picked the Camaro up to develop another suspension, their amazing IRS setup…and finally, last winter, the Heidts team decided it was about time they made the car into a “proper” driver.

As this Camaro had an immaculately straight body to start with, the Heidts team was able to focus on everything else. First off, the car was going to need some hefty hp in which to test the limits of products with. For that they dropped in a Kurt Urban LS7 engine which puts out over 700 hp, backed by a Tremec 6-speed transmission.

What really takes this car to the next level is that, even while being competitive on the track, it’s a car you wouldn’t hesitate to jump in and drive cross-country with. This is largely due to the Heidts suspension products, ones that can be ordered straight from the catalog. The front has Heidts PRO-G Sub frame and suspension with 2-inch drop spindles. The rear sports bolt-in PRO-G IRS. All stick to the ground with Nitto NT05 Street Performance tires and are stopped with 6- and 4-piston front and rear Wilwood disc brakes.

The Heidts Camaro enables them to test out components of supplier parts they don’t manufacture. Having a unique relationship with Nitto Tire is important, as Heidts Engineer Jim Shaw states, “You can’t have a conversation about suspension without talking tires.” One affects the other like a domino effect – a wider or stickier tire is going to warrant a beefier suspension and vice-versa. As Nitto produces new, stickier tires it pushes Heidts to develop suspension that can handle them.

The professionals at Heidts recommend building what you’re passionate about. While less common cars may be more difficult to find parts for, solutions can be found for anything – and Heidts prides themselves on helping enthusiasts discover the best ones for their needs. If you’re going to put time, money, and sweat into a project car – it had better be something you’re really going to love. The beauty of the aftermarket is that you can take anything you want and transform it into what you want it to be.

While Heidts 1968 Camaro may be where they want it to be, it doesn’t mean the work is finished. In fact, it’s just beginning. This Camaro will earn its keep by continuing to test products, make appearances at shows, and prove its’ worth on the track. Catch it at events such as the annual Heidts Performance Car Challenge where it placed 1^st in the Speed Stop Squared category last year (with 7.955) and 2^nd in Autocross, or at the upcoming PRI Show next month. -Kristin Cline

1968 Heidts Camaro Gives Retromod a Good Name

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