In this episode of DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the finishing touches are added to the 1968 Camaro RS. In this final phase of the project, the interior is restored, an upgraded stereo is added and the exterior trim details are restored. The interior restoration includes the addition of new carpet, seat-covers and door panels. The stereo upgrade includes a new, modern receiver, and also additional speakers that were not on the car when it was new. Finally, new wheels and tires are installed.
Interior Restoration The interior restoration includes the addition of new carpet, seat-covers and door panels.
It's important when selecting interior replacement materials to be aware of the differences in quality and features that can exist in after-market automotive products. When selecting replacement carpet, it was important to make sure that the material is automotive, and that the driver-side section has the heel-pad made into the carpet, as well as the hole that accommodates the dimmer switch (figure A).
The carpet selected for our Camaro was custom made for this model. It also had the carpet-backing material (figure B), just like the carpet that was originally installed in the vehicle.
Other details added in the interior restoration included replacements for the sill-plates which had been scratched over time, as well as the gas pedal, brake pedal and parking-brake pedal (figure C). Materials: Replacement carpet and padding
Replacement interior trim (sill-plates, floor-pedals)
Automotive wrenches
Screwdrivers
Nut drivers
Utility knife
Steps:
- The first step in carpet replacement is to remove the seats and the old carpeting. With the carpeting peeled back, access the bolts that hold the seat to the tracks in the floor pan, and unbolt the seat using the appropriate socket wrench (figure D).
- With the bolts removed, carefully lift out and remove the seat and track as a single unit (figure E).
- The sill plates hold the edges of the carpet down. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the retaining screws that hold the sill-plates in place, and lift out the plates (figure F).
- Next, move on to the middle of the passenger compartment and disassemble the center console (figure G). Keep track of the retaining screws and where they are removed from, so that they can later be re-installed in their original locations.
- Once the shifter boot has been removed, then begin work on the inside of the console. Remove the concealed inside screws, then lift off the top half of the console (figure H).
- Remove the lower remaining screws and bolts in order to lift out the base of the console. Unplug any wiring as necessary.
- Remove the seatbelts by first removing the retaining bolts that hold them fastened to the floor pan (figure I).
- With the seatbelts all out, unbolt and remove the rear seat. In our project car, the seats were cleaned effectively using upholstery cleaner, so they did not need to be replaced.
- With the seats all removed, peel and lift out the old factory-installed carpet insulation and backing (figure J).
- Continue removing the carpet in the front (figure K) as well as the rear of the vehicle.
- With the carpeting removed, inspect for signs of rust. Clean out the bare floor-pan thoroughly using a shop-vac.
- Before the new carpet is installed, rubber insulation mats are laid down (figure L). These mats are an added extra, and are a sound-deadening material.
- With the mats installed, lay down the new pre-cut carpeting (figure M). This carpeting is custom cut for an good fit in this particular vehicle.
- Using a utility knife, cut slits in the carpet where necessary to accommodate any brackets or bolts in the floor. Be certain that the carpet section is positioned properly before making these cuts.
- Once all sections of the carpet are installed, making sure that the driver-side heel pad is positioned properly, the new sill-plates can be installed to secure the edges of the carpet (figure N).
- For our project car, the finishing touch for the interior was the addition of custom-made floor-mats with the Camaro logo.
In the segment that follows, an upgraded audio system is installed.
RESOURCES :
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques
Model: 0895863758
Author: Tom Currao
Full title: Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques for 1967 to 1981 Camaros
H.P. Books
Camaro Restoration Guide: 1967-1969 (Authentic Restoration Guides)
Model: 0760301603
Author: Jason Scott
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Original Camaro: 1967-1969 (Bay View Original Series)
Model: 0760309256
Author: Jason Scott, Andy Kraushaar
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Camaro Exposed: 1967-1969 - Designs, Decisions and the Inside View
Model: 0837608767
Author: Paul Zazarine
Bentley Publishers
Special thanks for DIY's Classic Car Restoration -- 1968 Camaro RS
East Tennessee Camaro Club
President: Harold Pena
3710 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-633-8340
E-mail: jalpeno@worldnet.att.net
Smokey Mountain F-Bodies
Website: www.smokeymountainf-bodies.cz28.com
Coker Tires
Website: www.coker.com
Photos provided by:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Website: www.brickyard.com
Year One
Website: www.yearone.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
