1st/4th Gen Camaro From Goodmark - Other Cars Forum - j-body.org

1st/4th Gen Camaro From Goodmark - Other Cars Forum

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1st/4th Gen Camaro From Goodmark

Thursday, February 15, 2007 11:22 AM

copied from goodmarks website

If you take an original 1st Generation Camaro or Firebird, mate it to a 4th Generation Camaro and replace the original rusty body with sheetmetal and trim from Goodmark Industries, what do you get? You have the ultimate car from Retro Rides and Goodmark and a winner of a 2006 SEMA General Motors Design Award.

The key that makes the cars so special is a patent-pending process of creating a hybrid unibody structure from TWO cars, a first-generation ('67-69) "host" car, and a fourth-generation ('93-02) "donor" car. Unlike a restoration, which merely restores the car to its original configuration (with all the handling and braking limitations of the original), Retro Rides restores the car cosmetically using Goodmark sheetmetal and trim while incorporating modern amenities, convenience features and modern technology.

The difference between the Goodmark / Retro Rides cars and other so-called "crate bodies" is the fact that the first-gen car used in the build is a REAL car, with a REAL title and VIN. The finished car that results from this hybrid unibody foundation is still titled as a first-gen car, thereby retaining its collectable status. Goodmark's next project car, a 1969 Camaro, is going to be built by Retro Rides.

A spectrum of products is now available starting with a plain bare unibody (incorporating the proprietary hybrid design). The unibody structures are available in 3 phases and are exclusively distributed by Goodmark.

PHASE 1: Car is built using the customer's first-gen ('67-69) Camaro or Firebird or Retro Rides can supply the first-gen car at additional market cost. This host car will be the surviving entity as far as VIN and title are concerned. Phase 1 includes all the welded together components that make up a unibody (think in terms of taking a car apart by removing every single item that can be unbolted, and what you have is a bare unibody). All sheetmetal is replaced with brand-new reproduction panels from Goodmark Industries, so that the resulting unibody is free of rust or prior damage issues that can compromise the quality of the finished car. Included is roof, floor, rockers, quarter panels, firewall, "A" and "C"-pillars, tail panel, and deck filler panel (below rear window). The whole assembly is finished in epoxy primer. The customer must provide the first-gen "host" car. The fourth-gen ('93-02) body parts needed as well as all other labor and materials are included in this package. All suspension pickup points are there for customer to continue the build process, using fourth-gen Camaro or Firebird suspension, brakes, and steering components. Price is $16,500, half due as deposit and remainder due upon completion of car. Customer is responsible for shipping to and from Spanish Forks, UT.

PHASE 2: Same as Phase 1 but all exterior sheetmetal is included (doors, fenders, hood, front valance, header panel, and trunk lid). All sheetmetal is properly aligned and gapped correctly. Entire body is finished in epoxy primer. Price is $21,500, half due as deposit and remainder due upon completion of car. Customer is responsible for shipping to and from Spanish Forks, UT.

PHASE 3: Same as Phase 2 but includes front subframe, new OEM-style fourth-gen suspension, hubs, and spindles (but no brakes), new steering rack, and a new OEM-style 10-bolt fourth-gen rear axle assembly refurbished with all new internal parts. Price is $27,400, half due as deposit and remainder due upon completion of car. Customer is responsible for shipping to and from Spanish Forks, UT.

Turnkey cars are also available direct from Retro Rides. For more information, visit www.retrorides.com