Greg Heinrich's 1967 Camaro: A Speed Demon in White
In the heart of Hesperia, California, a rust-covered gem lay waiting to be transformed into a roaring street racing legend. Rodger of Ironworks Speed and Kustom had just acquired the skeleton of a 1967 Camaro - a blank canvas that held the promise of being something truly extraordinary. Little did he know that this Camaro would not only undergo a remarkable transformation but also bear the stamp of a long-time Fairway GM dealership owner, Greg Heinrich.
As the story goes, Rodger's phone rang on the way home from his Hesperia acquisition. It was Greg Heinrich, a loyal client of Rodger's, who couldn't contain his curiosity about the newly acquired Camaro. Greg was known for his affinity for Summit white, a classic GM color, earning it the affectionate nickname "Heinrich White" among his peers. The conversation that ensued was a mix of excitement, vision, and humor, as Rodger playfully quipped about Summit White's alternative moniker.
20/20 Vision
The vision for the Camaro began to take shape at the SEMA Show, where the LT4 engine was unveiled. Without hesitation, the decision was made to order one, along with GM's eye-catching "self-illuminating bowtie," which had generated quite a buzz. With these new acquisitions in hand, the stage was set to create a street race car that embodied the essence of power, speed, and handling— a vehicle that could easily land you in jail if pushed to its limits.
Ironworks Speed and Kustom, known for its innovative automotive creations, stepped in to turn this vision into reality. They introduced several groundbreaking features that set this Camaro apart from the rest. Machined engine bay parts, interior panels, and an extensive use of 3D-printed components brought a touch of modernity and innovation to the project. Sean Smith's contribution to the interior design, including a magnet base panel, was a game-changer in the customization of the car's interior.
Guts ‘n Glory
The aesthetics of the Camaro were equally as impressive as its engineering. A set of 19" Forgeline monoblock wheels were selected to give the car a modern and aggressive appearance. Meticulous work was done to ensure perfect wheel fitment and be able to fit a 305/30/19 Michelin tire in the front and massive 345/30/19 Michelin tire in the rear.
Behind the Forgeline wheels are a set of Wilwood 14" brakes with highlighter yellow calipers, reminiscent of Porsche Carrera design cues. These brakes compliment the wheels and suspension package.
Underneath its sleek exterior, this Camaro boasts Speedtech front and rear suspension, with a torque arm rear, and Ridetech coilovers, ensuring a balance between comfort and high-performance handling.
The LT4 engine makes 640HP and 630 lb-ft. of torque right out of the box. Backing the powerhouse is a T56 transmission which offers buttery smooth shifts and double overdrives. All those ponies travel through a Gear FX Ford 9" differential while a Rick’s Fuel Tank feeds the beast.
Finishing Touches
The Camaro's interior received special attention with carbon fiber Sparco seats, painted and recovered by Sid Chavers, showcasing a distinctive Houndstooth interior design. The interior is right at home on the car show circuit, but it’s all business. The seats are designed to hold you in place during cornering.
Even something as simple as a door panel, Rodger went above and beyond. With help from Sean Smith, they created the first magnet base door panel. There’s no screws or janky clips holding the custom door panels on, it’s all done with magnets.
Dakota Digital Gauges, fitted within a custom billet gauge cluster, provided the driver with essential information in style. A Vintage Air AC system provided some comfort in the midst of the speed and adrenaline.
The Camaro's front grille was custom-made, and the lower front valance was extended, not only for a distinctive appearance but also to accommodate a larger diameter fog light. The body was sprayed in Henrich’s favorite PPG Summit white paint, ensuring the car's appearance was as stunning as its performance.
This masterpiece made its debut at the Mobil 1 booth at SEMA 2017, where it garnered the attention of General Motors and earned a GM Design Award. The 1967 Camaro, a symbol of precision engineering and craftsmanship, was not just a vehicle; it was an embodiment of Greg Heinrich's vision and Rodger's dedication to turning a rusty shell into a white-hot street racing marvel.