Body mods have been limited...
Body mods have been limited to a Harwood 2-inch cowl hood and custom mini-tubs.
Sure that's a pretty bold claim, but this is one pretty bold Camaro. Not only does it get to the track without the assistance of a trailer, it makes 300-mile road trips to car shows and occasional commutes into the office without a hiccup. Packed with a full interior, 25.5-spec cage, a thumpin' stereo, a fire system, and a massive 26-gallon fuel tank, the car weighs nearly 3,500 pounds. Nonetheless, what the specs can't tell you is how the headers don't scrape on anything, and how the proper exhaust system-routed all the way to the bumper instead of dumping before the rear axle-preserves your hearing. "I don't see the point of spending all your time and money building a car if you can't drive it on the street," car owner Ernie Gonzales opines. "Our goal with this car is to run 8s while still retaining streetability. It's not there quite yet, but it will be eventually with some more tuning."
Not surprisingly, Ernie never intended to build such an outrageous combo. Like many over-the-top creations, it's the product of years and years of hot rodding passion repressed by paternal obligations. He got his first taste of speed as a 6-year-old kid riding shotgun in his dad's big-block '67 Caprice. "We lined up against a 440-powered Challenger at the dragstrip, and it was neck to neck all the way down the track. I've been hooked ever since," Ernie says. He rolled through high school in a '74 Nova until selling it in order to pick up a '69 Camaro. Unfortunately, from there it was all downhill. "Not long after I bought that Camaro, I met my wife, lost my senses, and thought that I didn't need fast cars anymore. I sold it for $2,500, and have regretted it ever since. It took a long time until I was in a position to buy another project car, but I never lost the craving to go fast."
That time came three years ago when Ernie picked up an immaculate '67 Camaro for $14,000 that required no bodywork whatsoever. His original plan was to hook up a nitrous system, cage it, and go run 10s. While searching for a qualified chassis builder, Ernie met Lang Paciulli of LP Racing in Upland, California. Initially, the two didn't quite know what to make of each other. "Lang's only 23, so I had my doubts about putting my hopes and dreams into the hands of someone so young," explains Ernie. Likewise, when Ernie said he wanted to build an 8-second street car that he could drive to and from the track in 100-degree heat, Lang didn't think his potential customer was serious. "People ask me stuff like that all the time, so I didn't believe he'd actually go through with what was necessary to build a car like that," Lang admits. Despite their reservations, the two developed mutual respect for one another once the discussion turned to turbos. "When I mentioned running twin turbos to Lang, he suddenly got much more interested in the project. He said, 'You can make a ton of power with turbos and a relatively small cam,' so I was sold on the idea and the plan was set," Ernie says.
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 The interior is a peculiar...  The interior is a peculiar mix of mandatory safety equipment and modern conveniences. The 25.5 cage, Kirkey aluminum seats, Crow five-point harnesses, window net, fire suppression system, SFI cage padding, and parachute handle keep the driver protected. The Covans instrument panel, Auto Meter C2 gauges, iPod receiver, and Flaming River steering wheel lend the appearance of a true street car. |  An experienced chassis builder...  An experienced chassis builder and Outlaw 10.5 racer, Lang laid out the engine bay with ease of serviceability in mind. The engine, motor plate, turbos, and radiator all come out as one piece. The three custom catch cans on the passenger side of the firewall are for the coolant, trans fluid, and engine breathers. |  Keeping a close eye on the...  Keeping a close eye on the vitals is an Auto Meter data logger. The MSD box is completely programmable with timing, boost control, and rpm override functions. |