When you ask some of the custom car builders about the reason for the creation, you often hear topics such as the desire for a good daily driver or the hope to create something new and different.
We believe Brian Hall’s initial goal must have been a genuine quest for perfection since his beautiful ’69 Camaro is among the best we’ve seen.
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Thanks to his father, Brian grew up loving cars and there was always a hot rod or two in the driveway. As the owner of several collision centers near his home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Brian works on cars during the day and enjoys building custom vehicles after hours.
Starting with the basics, the original chassis was removed, all of the holes welded shut, seams ground smooth and everything sprayed to match the exterior. Stainless steel upper and lower control arms from Speed Freak were added up front, along with a Flaming River power rack and pinion steering activated by an ididit tilt and telescoping steering column. The Fab 9 rear is a nine-inch unit fitted with an all-aluminum Moser Truetrac center section, 31-spline axles and 3.73 gears, held in place by a RideTech four-link rear.
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Advance Plating in Tennessee polished it to a show car shine. A Wilwood polished aluminum tandem master cylinder energizes the 13-inch, four-piston caliper disc brakes from Aerospace Components, complete with an emergency brake integrated into the rear discs. Getting the show-quality chassis rolling are massive Colorado Customs rims, 20 x 12 with 315/35ZR20 rubber and 2½-inch backspacing in the rear and 18 x 8 with 225/45ZR18 and a six-inch backspacing up front.
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The new RideTech Street Challenge system provides precise control over all four wheels, adjusting the Camaro’s altitude at the touch of a button. All the components are hidden behind the rear panel in the trunk.
Under the hood is a GM 502 Ram Jet crate engine, sending an awesome 502 horsepower to the turbo 400 transmission. Brian chose custom 2¼-inch headers and MagnaFlow mufflers to ensure the appropriate muscle car sound. Cosmetics include the Billet Specialties TruTrak pulley system along with chromed brackets and hood hinges. The engine block and custom valve covers were painted to match the exterior as were the inner fender panels, firewall and the smoothed underside of the hood. Seeing this car on a lift, you realize the underside is as beautiful as the top.
Very little of the original body remains. The rejuvenation process included new GM sheetmetal for the front end, doors, rear fenders, floor and decklid. Unique touches include the unusual steel dash from a 1960 Chevrolet Impala, shortened to fit the car and filled with Custom Classic instruments.
The new center console was constructed from hand-formed steel and holds the stereo, A/C controls, air suspension switches and the Lokar shifter that works the B & M-equipped Turbo 400. Brian’s good friend Mike Riggs did the metalwork. The pair of perfectly scaled bucket seats came from a Fiero, re-upholstered and with the headrests removed.
Mike from Mike’s Custom Cars created the unique rear seats and is now offering them for sale. You won’t see any carpet in this car. The Platinum Gray leather used throughout the car extends to the floor and headliner. The elegant stitch work was done by Hot Rod Interiors in Mooresville, North Carolina.
The final step was paint, beginning with Brian’s brother, Todd Hall, smoothing the Camaro sheetmetal and shooting the distinctive Spies Heckler Intense Blue Pearl over a white base. Ryan Young of Indocil Art did the stylized flames with multiple shades of silver and gray.
The car is worth a long look to appreciate all the custom touches.
But one thing’s for sure – Brian Hall’s Camaro hits the mark.
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