August 2002 Feature Car

 
Member:  Kelly Gorham
Year: 1968 
Engine: 396 c.i. (375 HP)
Transmission: Muncie M21
Rear End: 12 Bolt Posi 3.31 Gears
Options: Power Brakes (Removed), Power Steering (Removed), Autometer Electric Gauges, Lakewood Bellhousing, Comp Cam 282S, Powder Coated Subframe, Inner Fenders and Front Suspension, Hurst Competition Plus Shifter
Story:  
Thirty-five years ago the 1968 Camaro rolled off the line. This 396 big block beauty was built in December of 1967 and is now owned by Kelly Gorham. Kelly got the bug for great Chevy classics when his dad brought home a 1962 Corvette to restore when Kelly was only 11 years old. Several years later, Kelly decided he wanted to do his own resto and was always fond of the first gen Camaro styling. Kelly knew he wanted a big block car and 4 on the floor. After searching for over a year he finally located his prize. The only problem was the car was literally in boxes with the interior gutted and the front subframe removed. The positives were apparent to Kelly in that the previous owner had started restoring the car and was doing it right. It already had all the front suspension components and subframe powder coated black. There was a fresh 396 4 bolt-main engine. There were also several new sheetmetal parts that were GM NOS. The previous owner had not done any work on the car for over 9 years and finally decided to sell it. The deciding factor in purchasing the car was the receipts from the owner as well as the owner before him and the protect-o-plate that verified it as an original big block car. Kelly had a friend help him load the car and parts on a trailer and returned to Grapevine. He enjoyed every part of the reviving process and after 2-1/2 years the car was ready to roll. He returned the car to the original Grotto Blue paint and installed a complete new interior. The engine is a correct 1968 396 that is bored 30 over and sports #440 rectangular port heads and original GM high rise manifold. Kelly plans to put GM oval port heads, an Edlebrock manifold, Hooker headers and a Flowmaster exhaust on over the winter. He says the car has been done about 8 months now, but then again, they’re never really finished are they?