Renown Auto Restoration Blog

1968 Camaro Z-28 Rallysport

All-original barn finds are getting rarer and rarer these days. Special cars are picked out of storage every day by hotrodders seeking that diamond in the rough. However, in the beginning of 2020, we came across a perfectly cut jewel of a car: a 1968 Camaro Z-28 RS in Le Mans Blue Metallic with every option checked. This example was bought new in 1968 and then parked after 58,000 miles at some point in the late 70’s. The next time it would see the light of day would be at our shop.

If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Trying to explain the reason why we love cars can be difficult because, well let’s face it, many people don’t seem to get it. They don’t understand why we get goosebumps when we hear our favorite automobile fire up, they don’t get why we spend an entire Sunday cleaning our pride and joy or why we obsess over details as small as a scratch on a lug-nut or the perfect door panel alignment. Not everyone understands and that’s okay.

Generally speaking, when we talk about wet sanding an buffing in the automotive environment, we are looking to get the absolutely best shine out of the paint finish on a car or truck. We are looking to get a true show car finish. To help with this I have the diagram below which shows a surface that is not perfectly flat vs one that is. This is NOT to scale, but it is representative of the surface of a car after it has been painted. (Click on Continue reading to for more information and some impressive photos that show this process.)

 In today's work of modified vehicle, you don't have to settle. This 1947 Ford F1 Pickup Truck as an adjustable coil over front suspension with rack and pinion steering and 4 piston disc brakes. This is modern sports car equipment. I has coil overs and disc brakes in the rear as well. The truck can handle as well as a modern car. It may not beat a Corvette, but it will wipe the floor with many sports sedans. Click on Continue Reading to see the the suspension under this Pickup.

Sometimes it's just not about how much power you have. Yes, 400+ Horsepower V-8s have their place. But, face it, how often can you use it... legally? And how often do you use it when just cruising in a cool car? Have a look at this 1963 Dodge Dart. This car is going to look much better than it ever did when new, with a great show quality finish. Yet is powered by Chrysler's venerable Slant 6 engine. This engine will literally run forever. This car is also getting a Vintage Air A/C system, so it will cruise in comfort... until the tires fall off. I can't wait to see this one finished myself. Click on Continue reading to see more photos of this magnificent Dodge Dart.

All too often we see lifted trucks that never go off road. Not this time. This Bronco lives on a ranch, and will spend more time off road than on. Click on continue reading to see more pictures of the suspension we are putting on this real world Bronco.

It's not just about cars. When a sweet couple comes in and wants to have their original scooter restored, how can you say no. That is exactly what happened. This sweet woman wanted to have the Radio Scooter she had as a child freshened up so she could give it to her grandchildren. To pass on a family heirloom. We even contacted Radio Flyer. Notice that this is a Radio Scooter, and is from the Radio line before they were Radio Flyer. We even sourced the wheels and decals from Radio Flyer. Click on Continue Reading to see the full post with before and after photos.

Please enjoy a video tour of our facilities.

We have not posted anything on this truck until now. So just to get you started notice the custom work done on the air cleaner.

Paint is complete on the 79 Trans Am. Notice that the owner decided to convert the front to a 77 Trans Am nose, to be like the original Bandit Trans Am from the original Smokey and the Bandit movie. For now the phoenix decal is acclimating, relaxing to lie flat because it arrived in a tube. Also we need the temperature of the decal and the car to be the same when we apply it.