This week’s “RideTech Ride” is none other than our very own 48 Hour Camaro. Six years after the legendary two day build, the car has just received some significant mods to elevate the car’s already competitive game. Front fenders have been flared by Smitty’s Custom Automotive to accommodate fat 315 wide front tires mounted on 11″ Forgeline ML3C wheels. The car now rides on four 315mm tires rather than the former 315/275 combination. A 275 tire is all that will fit within the confines of stock Camaro fenders. Great care was taken to flare the wheel arches with minimal visual impact. Then again, many here at RideTech think the most radical upgrade is the car’s Instinct Electronic Adaptive Shocks. It’s a tough call. We’ll let you decide.
The back story: RideTech campaigns two cars in national autocross events. Both cars are street legal hot rods with some serious GRIP. The 48 Hour Corvette has won two races this year, while the 48 Hour Camaro is a top five finisher wherever it competes. Both cars, as their names state, were built in just 48 hours by a team of volunteer shop owners and manufacturers. These extremely popular builds have inspired many enthusiasts to get out in the garage, get their cars done, and DRIVE!
…But is any hot rod ever done? The answer is no. It’s not that hot rodders are ungrateful. To the contrary, there is no better feeling than finishing a car and showing it off to friends and show-goers. Hot rodders simply want more. It’s like enjoying a killer rock concert then demanding an encore. It’s like craving dessert after eating a great meal. So while the 48 Hour Camaro was indeed built in a mere two days, it’s owner — the boss — wanted more. We’ll let Bret Voelkel do the talking:
In some respects, it seems a lot longer than six years ago that we built this Camaro over the course of three 16 hour days and then drove it to Nashville, Tenn. to race it at the Goodguys autocross, and drove it home unscathed. To put it in perspective, here is a rough idea of the appetite this car has:
- 480 tires
- 3000 autocross laps
- 2500 passengers on the autocross
- 36,000 miles [this is actual road/race miles, not trailer miles]
- 2400 gallons of gas
- 960 quarts of oil
Obviously we use this car…A LOT! At this point, I feel qualified to say that this is THE most refined and developed Camaro suspension system in the world. A bold statement, perhaps, but we stand ready to prove it every weekend. The most recent refinements include the Instinct electronic shock system, forged steel TruTurn draglink, 315mm front tires, and some prototype delrin articulating rod ends for our 4-Link.
Needless to say, I am very proud of this car. The history that it continues to create has seemed to inspire hotrodders all over the world. But even beyond that…this car is a REAL roadtour warrior! Kick back in the Recaro seats, turn on the Vintage AC unit and Kicker stereo, and enjoy the truly plush ride of the Instinct shocks. This car is as capable in every driving scenario as my C7 Z06…but it still looks like an old Camaro!
To celebrate this sixth anniversary of the 48 Hour project, my wife Sharon and I will once again drive this car from our shop in Jasper to the Nashville Goodguys event this Thursday. Wave if you see us on the road!
Bret Voelkel
pictures aren’t coming up for me. can you repost them?
Hello Eric, we made some updates to our website today. Hopefully the image should show up for you now.
what do you have for a road race 1981 Camaro