Ekow's Camaro [COTW 3/12/12]

[Ekow]

to to

Hello, my name is Eric. My Camaro story began only as a pipe dream. I recently bought what I thought would be my solid car for a while. It was a 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS. My family only values Japanese cars, you see. So… as far as I was concerned, Hondas or Toyotas were all I should get. Around the same time, my brother (Marc) purchased a Honda Civic. It was my brother who persuaded me to get a Camaro with him because if he did it alone, my parents would definitely have a cow. He sold the idea to me and kept reminding me that we should have hot cars while we’re still young. Like anyone who fantasizes about buying a car they probably won’t get, we built what we would want online obsessing over it.

One weekend, we started to entertain the notion this could happen. So, we started visiting dealerships to get an idea of what we can do realistically. A lot of places we visited wanted to charge us mark-up to make a profitable sale. We finally went to one that wouldn’t as long as we order it directly from the factory. So, that’s what we did. And for the next few weeks, we tracked our future cars from factory to train to truck for what seemed like many months.

When we picked up our cars, they were right out in-front in a perfect row. I was really nervous driving it home. It was wider than what I was used to, not to mention all the attention it was getting as I drove. You could just feel the admiration from passer-byers as you drive!

[Ekow]

The next part of this story is heart-breaking. Three days later, I approach an intersection where a car ran a red way too late. We smacked into each other. Long story short – the car was totaled. The frame of the car was bent out of shape and there were other damages that deemed it a pile of smashed metal. The car definitely saved me from getting hurt and the worst injury I got was whiplash.





I went back to the dealership and my salesman who sold me the my car looked at me and asked, "Where's your Camaro??" After telling him I have to do this all over again and order it, he said I wouldn't have to. The exact same car was coming off a truck and happened to be a left-over for sales. They were happy for me to give them another sale!

Two years go by…

[Ekow]

I found a group called SoCal HeadTurners who seemed like a friendly lively bunch of Camaro owners. After two meet-ups, I decided that my Camaro should be more unique and mine. Two members referred me to a body shop but more importantly to a car genius named Scott Centra. He really helped me design what would be my first phase of this modding process.

Scott helped me integrate a carbon fiber theme for the car. Generating ideas slowly, the car was taking shape.

So far, the car has:

3d Carbon Rear Spoiler
3d Carbon Fender Vents
KW Coil-Over System
Technostalgia LED Sequential Tail Lamps
Seibon Carbon Fiber Hood
Sider Marker Painted and Smoked
Injen Cold-Air Intake
GM Front Air-Dam and Side-Rockers
Hess Motorsports 21" 3pc Wheels with Toyo Tires
Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust System
Tail Light Bezels in Gloss Black
Smoked Rear Tail lights
Upper and Lower Grills in Gloss Black
Repainted Factory Bumper and Holes
OE Bremo Brake System
Powder Coat Brake Calipers - Red
SS Brake Lines
Seibon Rear Diffuser, Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber Overlay, Outside Mirror
Hurst Paddle Shifter Kit
APR Front Splitter
AAC Colorshift Halo Kit & Foglight
Carbon Fiber Fog Light Bezels
Upper-window Visor





Injen Cold-Air Intake Installed


Overlay Carbon Fiber Side-View Mirrors with Gloss Black Design (by Scott Centra)


Hood - Matte Black sides with Gloss Black on Front Tip Fading into Carbon Fiber


Matte Black Rear Spoiler (3d Carbon)

[Ekow]

Then, came the day to pick it up.

Old Parts




Photos below taken by leonardo

[Ekow]

After a Good Wax















So far, so good! This is the first stage in this build. Whether I do future mods in pieces or surges, we'll see. One thing is for certain - this thing will get supercharged sooner or later!

[Vette TPI]

Beautiful V6!!! I love it! Thanks for the share!

[Jmack25]

I really like what you have done! Very unique look, overall an awesome Camaro!

[pierre777]

great build and nice transformation love the CF theme

[Ekow]

Thanks! I was inspired by two Camaro concepts from the SEMA show in 2010.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znFG-cIjmK...llpapers+9.jpg


http://images.thecarconnection.com/m...00232133_m.jpg

Initially, I wanted the Black Concept look. Matte/flat black on the hood and rear spoiler. But I also have intentions of improving performance later in the car and perhaps supercharging it. Jay Leno's Concept Camaro's ventilated hood caught my eye! I talked to Scott and he and his painter came up with a design where I can integrate not only flat black, but also gloss black and the carbon fiber.

[tmac1granger33]

Nice ! was lookin for more pics of those 3dcarbon vents ... The dealership GAVE the car to you? or did i read that wrong lol(pry too good to be true)

one helll of a job customizing it man

[Ekow]

I edited it, ha ha. Yeah, man. I can PM you more pics.

[2010 SSRS]

Very nice , your Camaro looks absolutely awesome

[tmac1granger33]

Originally Posted by Ekow

I edited it, ha ha. Yeah, man. I can PM you more pics.

i got a good idea of em now man thanks, this sucker is beautiful i see COTW in your future forsure

[Ekow]

Originally Posted by tmac1granger33

i got a good idea of em now man thanks, this sucker is beautiful i see COTW in your future forsure

Thanks, man! I really appreciate that. We'll see, the competition is tough! So many beautiful Camaros to choose from!