2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE

Yes, another CoPart Auction Special.  Christmas had just passed and my wife bought me a tin camaro sign for the garage.  So I naturally start looking at the auction listings to see what camaro's are for sale.

This well smashed 2014 looked like just the right car for me!  Looking at the hood told me it was either a ZL1 or a 1LE, not just a base SS.  This SS would at least come with all the ZL1 suspension bits and upgrades.  

The instagram handle also told a tale about this car.  A little searching I found out this car was equipt with long tube headers, texas speed camshaft and tuned.  I even found a video of the dyno run of this car.  There was tons of extra value and HP, I was excited.

The first mission was making sure it still ran, yeah...i bought it gambling, not knowing if the hit had cracked the block.  It was listed as not running in the auction.  but hey it must have been running when it was crashed!  This was after removing everything forward of the frame rails.  Prying the bent frame rail off the engine and replacing the cracked motor mounts.

The only way to section in a replacement frame rail, strut tower and inner fender support was to remove the engine.  I dropped the engine and transmission as an assembly on a dolly and rolled it to the other bay.  Plenty of clearance to roll it out with the radiator support removed.

Complete subframe assembly.  Yeah that was bent as well.  The subframe got replaced with this was out.

Alot of cutting, Alot of drilling.  Started with the frame rail splice.  I found these Great spot weld Rotabroach Cutter by Blair Equiptment.  I've used other spot weld cutters in the past.  These work fast and last long.

The replacement rail from a local salvage yard, cut to the same length as the one i removed.  

Strut tower and upper fender support installation.  lots of zinc weld through primer is the bright grey seen in the photo.  Note the replacement subframe installed making sure the rails align.  

Outer fender support installed.  I made use of SEM Factory Pack spray cans for all the underbody paint matching.  Note the fiberglass welding blanket over the windshield so my spatter doesn't spray the glass.

The final structural assembly before refitting the engine subframe assembly.

Fitting and adjustment of the fenders and hood.  Left front suspension is also back in it.

The best fit, all replacement panels fitted and adjusted.  I went with this aggressive functional ram air hood and the 6th gen style ZL1 front bumper cover.    

Sending the car off to paint at the local body shop.  Cause I know my limitations.  I am terrible with a spray gun.

O...Look...Paint...magic, its nice to sub out some things.  I went with the matte black finish on the hood despite the cowl scoop being ridiculously large to stay with the 1LE paint theme.  

I love the look of this gen6 ZL1 style bumper covers. However months later I will come to find out how troublesome these aftermarket bumpers can be.  It looks great in this photo but as time goes on little dimples start to appear in the paint, but only on the bumper cover.  The way these aftermarket bumpers are made or cured, they bleed out, or release chemicals overtime.  But hey, I sold it while it still looked good. (shrug emoji here)

The Pro Photo Shoot, I also no my limitations here, I am NOT a professional photographer.  These were shot at the old Grumman AirFiled in Calverton NY.  Notice the red and black camaro fender badge to pop with the brake calipers.

Finishing touches, a styling cue from the 6th gen.  Adding a fender badge in red and black.

Follow through on the badging, Red and Black SS. I happen to Love these led tail lights, they are factory and were part of the mid cycle refresh.  The deck spoiler, also in Matte black, part of the 1LE package.

The Strut tower brace is part of the 1LE package.  Notice the intake filter shrouding with weather stripping that seals to the Ram Air Hood dump port.  The 1LE is every bit from the ZL1 minus the engine (sad emoji face here).  Just a regular SS 6.2L

20" ZR1 wheels also part of the 1LE package.

A look at the final front end, squinty eyes angling back at the corners, looking angry, mean.  Big snarly scoop like a gigantic nostril sucking up all that fresh air.  Massive lower front grill to cool off the beastly power.  Large front splitter with angles that came off a stealth bomber to force that front end down. Supposed to run a front plate in NYS.  Fortunately the front plate mounting is easily removed to enjoy the intended design in other states.    

Looks so good from all angles, this metallic flake dark grey is a fantastic color.  Notice how the light plays off all the angles of the bodywork.  

MORE Angles, lunging forward, leaning back, scooping, sweeping, this front bumper evokes so much emotion. Incredible!