1969 Camaro Interior Restoration and Improvement - Project American Heroes 2

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE ALL OF THE STORIES IN THE PROJECT AMERICAN HEROES II BUILD ON THE WEB

Project American Heroes II Unveiling at the Joliet Super Chevy Show

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

PART IX

The thrill of the high-performance assault vehicle is all about having absolute command over all driver controls, contraptions, and conveniences. The driver assumes command of his ship, and is immediately transformed from Joe the Plumber to Joe the Commander. For a few brief, fleeting moments, all is right in the world. Like Captain James T. Kirk seated in the captain's chair on the bridge of the starship Enterprise, piloting a high-performance automobile becomes a quest for the purest fulfillment of driver inputs, resulting in instantaneous vehicular obedience. For that reason, creating a Camaro Command Central is crucial to a car's enjoyment.

The Thermo-Tec "Cool It" suppressor acoustical and heat control mat is great for controlling both sound and radiant heat. In addition to the polyethylene film, the foil surface provides direct protection from radiant heat. We used it on the firewall, floorboards, and trunk. The suppressor is 70 mil in thickness, and contains a high temperature adhesive backing, making it easy to trim and fit.

The Thermo-Tec "Cool It" suppressor acoustical and heat control mat is great for controlli

Most earthdwellers will attest to the fact that it's pretty tough to top a '69 Camaro houndstooth interior. For that reason, it takes a certain blend of wow factor, cleverness, and subtlety to make an interior a standout in a streetfighter first-gen F-body. The interior is frequently the make it/break it item, revealing either skill or sloth. Do the driver's surroundings enhance or annihilate the driving experience? Overdone interiors kill the overall impact of a really nice street machine. Wild colors, tasteless materials, or overdone gauges and electronics installed in an interior that was executed "on the fly" is akin to a bad tattoo-it gets old in a hurry, and it's gonna cost you some bucks to get rid of it.

In the words of Route 66 Motorsports' owner Bill Jelinek, "This car came together easy. The parts were all high quality pieces, and they worked together nicely." That truth is especially evident in the interior created by Classic Industries parts and supplies. When it comes to the Project American Heroes 2 Camaro, it is honestly one of the best I've ever seen.

Well-balanced and appropriate for the car, Classic Industries supplied the Procar seats by Scat, and to put it mildly, they are extremely comfortable and aesthetically strong, all while being incredibly affordable. The CarParts.com supplied JVC KW-AVX810 AV multimedia receiver is amazing, while Electric Life power windows and locks make life easy. The Covan's Classic Auto Meter instrument panel keeps the captain informed of all vital functions. The ididit column, hosting the Intro steering wheel, the TCI shifter, and the Lokar pedals combine for a solid driver feel. Vintage Air effortlessly controls the climate in the Thermo-Tec Cool It insulated cabin on even the most sweltering summer days. Painless Wiring provides the rock solid reliability for short in town bursts, or long hauls to the legendary Super Chevy shows. Nothing is lacking in this machine; it is the consummate Camaro Command Central.

Electric Life supplied the complete power windows, power locks, and remote entry for Project American Heroes 2. These units are OEM quality, and bolt in without a problem.
Electric Life supplied the complete power windows, power locks, and remote entry for Proje
The Electric Life scissor-type regulator is identical to most OEM applications and is a direct bolt-in installation. As the electric motor spins, a geared radius lifts or lowers the scissor, in turn raising or lowering the window. Operation is smooth and consistent.
The Electric Life scissor-type regulator is identical to most OEM applications and is a di
Jason John installs the rear quarter window Electric Life regulator, which bolts in place using factory holes. Electric Life also supplied the window switches, power locks with remote entry system, and all necessary wiring and looms.
Jason John installs the rear quarter window Electric Life regulator, which bolts in place

With Electric Life regulators and power lock actuators installed, Jason carefully installs the brand-new side glass from Classic Industries.
With Electric Life regulators and power lock actuators installed, Jason carefully installs
Front and rear windshields are installed using the 3M Windo-Weld Ribbon sealer, 3M part number 08612. Bill Jelinek rolls out the Windo-Weld along the edge of the windshield, and then removes the backing paper.
Front and rear windshields are installed using the 3M Windo-Weld Ribbon sealer, 3M part nu
The Covan's Classic instrument cluster package includes the Carbon Fiber Ultra Lite Auto Meter gauges.
The Covan's Classic instrument cluster package includes the Carbon Fiber Ultra Lite Auto M

The Covan's Classic molded ABS instrument panel replaces the original Camaro gauge housing, and is a direct bolt in to the OEM mounting points. Panels have mounting holes and bosses for heater vent, controls, and wiper and headlight switches. Gone are the days of plywood gauge panels for your Camaro!
The Covan's Classic molded ABS instrument panel replaces the original Camaro gauge housing
The Painless Wiring 18 Circuit Universal/Streetrod Harness/GM Keyed Column is used for our red-for-positive Camaro. This 18-circuit kit allows for power windows, door locks, and other accessories. The kit includes GM column-mounted ignition switch plugs and a GM column-mounted turn signal switch plug. The kit also comes with pre-wired plugs for headlights and the dimmer switch. A number of other Painless products were called into duty, including the Painless battery relocation kit.
The Painless Wiring 18 Circuit Universal/Streetrod Harness/GM Keyed Column is used for our
The air conditioning evaporator from Vintage Air is readied and measured for best fit under the dash. The unit comes with detailed instructions and tech tips, completely assembled, and ready for installation.
The air conditioning evaporator from Vintage Air is readied and measured for best fit unde

Kevin Rock installs the Vintage Air condenser and attached receiver/dryer to the core support in front of the radiator, leaving at least a 3/16-inch gap for proper airflow.
Kevin Rock installs the Vintage Air condenser and attached receiver/dryer to the core supp
Made from all new parts, the "Retro-Fit Made to Fit" ididit tilt steering column for the '69 Camaro comes standard with ignition switch, mounting brackets, self-canceling turn signals, 4-way flashers, knobs and handles, and 3 7/8-inch wiring plug.
Made from all new parts, the "Retro-Fit Made to Fit" ididit tilt steering column for the '
Here's a better look at the Covan's Classic instrument panel. This panel comes with Auto Meter Ultra-Lite electric gauges. These clusters are complete with wiring harness, oil and temp sending units, turn signal, high beam indicators, 3-3/8-inch 160 mph speedo, 10,000 rpm tach, and 2 1/16-inch gauges for oil pressure, water temp, and volt and fuel level.
Here's a better look at the Covan's Classic instrument panel. This panel comes with Auto M

Once the instrument panel is in place, the Classic Industries dash pad is installed on the dashboard.
Once the instrument panel is in place, the Classic Industries dash pad is installed on the
CarParts.com is an Internet-only business delivering "Just Great Parts Cheap" like this JVC 7-inch, double-din KW-AVX810 AV multimedia receiver with touch screen and detachable faceplate. An HD radio tuner and bluetooth are cleverly hidden inside the console built by Route 66 Motorsports' automotive genius, Matt Duque. The KW-AVX810 is also equipped for readiness for satellite radio, a CD changer, and a rear-view camera. The multimedia receiver features USB for iPod audio, controlled by a plug-and-play USB 2.0 port, offering high-speed control during menu-surfing and between songs.
CarParts.com is an Internet-only business delivering "Just Great Parts Cheap" like this JV
The Lokar Performance Products XL-series ball-milled billet aluminum throttle pedal is designed like its standard billet aluminum assemblies, but is built extra large for those seeking more comfort and safety. The throttle cable linkage, gas pedal, matching brake pedal, parking brake pedal, and dipsticks all came from Lokar.
The Lokar Performance Products XL-series ball-milled billet aluminum throttle pedal is des

The Lokar throttle pedal pad is spring-loaded like the OEM design. The removable lower arm is splined for versatility in mounting to the right or left of the mounting bracket. Lokar's exclusive upper arm is a one-piece design, that is, the shaft and arm are one piece, requiring no pins. We also checked the box for the matching XL Series brake pad, not yet mounted in this picture.
The Lokar throttle pedal pad is spring-loaded like the OEM design. The removable lower arm
The Classic Industries OER headliner is laid out by the good people from Vos Upholstery, owned by Harold Vos, who accompanied by his sons Dave and Dan. Headliner installation is definitely a two-man job, as Harold and Dave work together to make it tight and wrinkle-free.
The Classic Industries OER headliner is laid out by the good people from Vos Upholstery, o
Dave Vos applies adhesive to the outer edges of the headliner. Vos Upholstery was founded by Harold Vos (who owns a very cool '57 Chevy hardtop), and has been servicing hot rodders for 30 years in the Chicagoland area. This family operation is responsible for literally scores of astounding interiors throughout the Midwest.
Dave Vos applies adhesive to the outer edges of the headliner. Vos Upholstery was founded

Back at Vos Upholstery Shop, Dave covered the Matt Duque-built console for the Heroes car.
Dan Vos is busy doing the upholstery work on the Camaro's rear seat. The restored seat frame is first fitted with burlap, then upholstery foam, and finally the Classic Industries seat cover.
Dan Vos is busy doing the upholstery work on the Camaro's rear seat. The restored seat fra
Classic Industries supplied the door panels and carpeting for the Project as well. Interior assembly is straightforward, trouble free, and quick.
Classic Industries supplied the door panels and carpeting for the Project as well. Interio

These Procar Rally Series 1000 seats by Scat were sourced from Classic Industries. These seats were one of the great discoveries of the build. Featuring exaggerated side bolsters for support and vertical stitching for a great vintage look, these Procar seats are extremely comfortable and affordable.
These Procar Rally Series 1000 seats by Scat were sourced from Classic Industries. These s
The JVC KW-AVX810 AV multimedia receiver fits beautifully under the dash in the custom made console just in front of the TCI shifter. The double-din DVD receiver's faceplate is detachable for maximum anti-theft protection, and features a unique touch panel with a proximity sensor in the faceplate. Perfect for iPod users, the 7-inch-wide touch panel display offers an extensive split-screen display of searchable options, menus, song categories, and album jacket artwork. While songs are playing, artist lists are easily searchable by using a touch-slider menu.
The JVC KW-AVX810 AV multimedia receiver fits beautifully under the dash in the custom mad
How great do those Procar Rally Series 1000 seats look? The interior is black, and looks perfect with the paint scheme of the Camaro. In this case, less is more, as the subtle, state of the art interior lacks nothing, offering all the features necessary to make for spirited bidding this spring at Barrett-Jackson. This is the correct Intro steering wheel we're using. The steering wheel you see on the car in the feature (page 8) was thrown in for the sake of expediency.
How great do those Procar Rally Series 1000 seats look? The interior is black, and looks p

SOURCES
Armed Forces Foundation www.armedforcesfoundation.org	TCI Automotive 151 Industrial Dr. Ashland MS 38603 662-224-8972 www.tciauto.com
CARPARTS.COM www.carparts.com	Vintage Air, Inc. 8-00/-862-6658 2-10/-654-7171 www.vintageair.com
Classic Industries 8-66/-656-1706 www.classicindustries.com	Thermo-Tec Automotive Products P.O. Box 96 Greenwich OH 44837 8-00/-274-8437 www.thermotec.com
Pro-Car	Ididit INC. 610 Maumee St. Tecumseh MI 49286
Auto Meter Gauges	Painless Performance 2501 Ludelle St. Fort Worth Te 76105
Route 66 Motorsports 8-15/-462-0090 www.rt66motorsports.com	Route 66 Parts 8-15/-462-0090 www.rt66parts.com
Intro Wheels 8-00/-45I-NTRO 8-00/-454-6876 www.introwheels.com	Electric Life 8-00/-548-2168 electric-life.com
Lokar Performance Products 10924 Murdock Dr. Knoxville TN 37932 8-65/-966-2269 www.lokar.com	Vos Upholstery
Covans Classic	JVC 1700 Valley Rd. Wayne NJ 07470