When it comes to automotive culture, nothing is more rewarding than seeing your dreams come to life. Dayton, Ohio based Forgeline Motorsports, is known for their custom-made, one-and three-piece forged aluminum street, performance, and racing wheels.
Forgeline craves the look and feel of the American originals and today, are pursuing that more than ever, building their own Pro-Touring style 1970 Chevy Camaro.
“We’ve been dreaming about building our own world class, pro-touring machine for several years,” says Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Motorsports.
According to Schardt, it was time to act on their vision.
“We’re a long-time supporter of this segment of the performance aftermarket and have been the wheel of choice for many of the builders, and the cars that have made these pro touring events so popular. But now, this year, it’s our turn to participate,” he said.
Pro-Touring events are literally rolling catalogs of Forgeline’s expertise in wheel fabrication. It takes special talent to create a wheel that can stand up to the rigors of autocross, speed/stop, and timed lap competitions but still look good in the process. To that end, Forgeline’s Camaro will be constructed using components from top-of-their segment manufacturers.
Fundamentals
The foundation of any Pro-Touring machine is the suspension and Forgeline’s Camaro is no different. A Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe with tubular upper and lower control arms will comprise the front. At the rear: a Detroit Speed QUADRALinkTM suspension and adjustable, anti-roll bar system will take care of the 3.89:1 geared, full-floating rear axle assembly.
Keeping the suspension in check will be a quartet of Ridetech triple-adjustable Coilover shocks and springs. A Ridetech TigerCage will provide both an increase in chassis stiffness occupant protection. Slowing the vehicle will be a quartet of Baer Brakes: 14 inch diameter Extreme 6S disc brakes and performance master cylinder.
The Camaro will ride on GA3C, 18 inch Forgeline wheels.
Power Plant
Current plans call for a Lingenfelter enhanced Corvette ZO6-sourced LT4. However, with this being one of the first repowers of a 1970 GM F-body, the team is also preparing a Lingenfelter-built LS7 engine with a Harrop Hurricane manifold. Regardless, a Bowler modified Tremec T56 transmission with ZR1 gears and Quartermaster extreme duty clutch will disperse the power.
Creature Comforts
The Forgeline Camaro will also feature a Vintage Air air conditioning system, JW Speakers, LED headlights, Recaro seats, and a California Custom Sounds stereo. A Carbon Kustoms carbon fiber hood and front fenders will be paired with a D&Z Customs spoiler to complete the look of the car.
Team Effort
Smitty’s Custom Automotive in Tiffin, Ohio is doing the vehicle build under the direction of Schardt. And getting it right is of the utmost importance.
“The key is to choose the very best parts from the companies that offer the best possible products, because that makes it much easier to build a competitive Pro-Touring car,” said Chris Smith, owner of Smitty’s Custom Automotive.
The Forgeline Camaro is scheduled to make its competition debut at the 2016 Cars & Cones Road Trip event May 2nd-6th, beginning in Concord, North Carolina.
*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
