Custom car builder Emelia Hartford had her eyes set on a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. She just could not stay away so she bought it and performed a "heart transplant" on it. She transplanted a twin-turbo LS V8 from her grandma's Buick Regal.
Now, her 1969 Chevy Camaro is a beast in gray with 1,200 horsepower. And it is not just that engine that she put in the classic muscle car. The 55-year-old automobile received air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and just about everything that makes it easier to live with in terms of comfort and mechanics.
A quadralink suspension system and dual-adjustable shocks are also on the menu. Furthermore, she went for a fully welded roll cage for improved handling, stiffness, reduced body roll, and occupant protection.
The 1969 Chevy Camaro now rides on custom forged wheels wrapped in Michelin tires, with six-piston brake calipers front and rear, plus two-piece rotor brakes.
The engine she transplanted into the 1969 Camaro is a twin-turbocharged 408 cubic inch LS V8 that she extracted from her grandmother's 1987 Buick Regal, a vehicle that Emelia had turned into a drag car. A six-speed manual gearbox helps put all the 1,200 horsepower down.
Emelia had to deal with fuel leaks, oil leaks, and a blow-off valve installed too close to one of the turbos. She somehow managed to surpass them all. And then the Camaro fired up with all the drama that the V8 could bring.
After all the trials and tribulations, she is taking the 1969 Chevy Camaro to its former owner. He wants it back. Sergio has always dreamed of finishing the car. That is why he got emotional when he had to hand over the keys. He was planning to keep the muscle car for his grandchildren.
Emelia promised that one day, it will happen. So, she is now keeping her promise. She even named the car after Sergio's granddaughter, Sofia.
Emelia arrives at Sergio's house and takes him for a ride. Things have obviously changed, and he sits harnessed with the five-point seatbelt in the passenger's seat and can hardly believe how his former car behaves on the road right now. Afterward, in the driver's seat, he feels right at home again.
There's still a lot of work to do on the car. So, she takes it home to resume work. Before her departure, Sergio hugs the car to bid farewell. He had his entire family invited to come see the Camaro. Emelia tells him he is welcome to drive his former car more than just once.
But the road back is not that easy. With 45 miles left to the closest city where she can find E85 fuel, the red light is on.
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