Beskrivning
Looking as if it`s just come out of a “Hot Wheels” box, this must be one of the finest Third Generation Camaros in the UK. The subject of a comprehensive 12-year rebuild to a show-winning standard by a well-regarded custom car builder, the car is astonishing and comes with quite literally the biggest restoration file I have ever witnessed. Over 300 colour photographs, a 170-page diary, 4 floppy discs and several hundred receipts for parts and labour. The rebuild was even documented on it`s own website! If you are looking for the best with provenance to match, this is it.
Introduced in 1967 by Chevrolet to directly compete against the Ford Mustang, the Camaro evolved over 35 years and four generations before production was finally halted in 2002. Of course, the name was revived just 8 years later with the introduction of the Fifth and subsequent Sixth Generation cars, still in production today. The Third Generation was introduced in December 1981 for the 1982 model year and was a complete redesign featuring a large and relatively complex rear glass window enabling hatchback practicality. Initially, three models were available, the entry-level Sport Coupe, mid-range Berlinetta and fully-loaded Z28, with bigger engines, choice of transmissions and better trim packages dependant upon customer requirements and spending ability.
Our Sport Coupe features the 305cui (5. 0 litre) LG4 V8 and was supplied new to a Craig Vogel Jnr. through Frank Hurling Chevrolet of Sacramento, California in June 1986. Presented in White with Brown velour trim, the car was evidently a daily driver and the owner`s pride and joy. So much so that when the opportunity came to move with work to the UK in 1992, Mr. Vogel brought the car with him. However, after just a few months, he realised that the Camaro wasn`t the perfect commuting car on narrow UK roads and with reluctance sold it to B & H Autokraft of Doncaster, American car specialists. They retained and enjoyed the Camaro for a while before advertising it for sale during the Winter of 1993. In May 1994 it was spotted and purchased for £2500 by a very enthusiastic and mechanically capable maths teacher by the name of Andrew Fanshawe from Sheffield. And so began a new chapter for the car that was to last 17 years and become an all-consuming passion for our new keeper. Over the next 5 years, the Camaro was essentially mechanically and structurally rebuilt with highlights to include a full top-end engine overhaul, the acquisition and fitting of a full air-ride system, complete rewire, complete panel by panel repaint with colour change from White to Red, full braking system overhaul, new stainless steel exhaust system, the fitting of a B&M Shifter, new underlay with fresh carpets and a complete interior retrim. The car became a regular show-winner and indeed, most owners would have been satisfied with the end-result. Not seemingly Mr. Fanshawe. In September 1999, he began what became known as “Project Camaro Phase II”: a start-again complete rebuild from scratch. This time everything was documented with Fanshawe maintaining not only hand-written notes but a fully typed up daily log of every step. Running to over 170 pages and supported by over 300 colour photographs, the log represents 12 years work and details every nut and bolt replaced and when. In essence, the engine and gearbox removed, shell stripped, restored and painted, all ancillaries replaced, engine and gearbox refitted with all new mounts and much chrome detailing, the complete replacement of the recently installed air-ride with a new system and the fitting of remote door opening to accompany the shaved handles. This time the paintwork was undertaken professionally and completed with air-brushed flames to add further character. But the project was more then just a labour of love. More of an obsession. The time invested could never be justified financially as literally would run to 1000`s of hours reflected not just by the daily log and photographs but 3 further files of bills, receipts, emails and copious notes. Finally finished, Fanshawe, now a leading light on the Hot Rod and Custom scene, returned to the show scene and unsurprisingly immediately picked up awards for Best Paint and Best Custom. With nothing more to do on the car and it deemed just to good to use outside of Sunday shows, the decision was made in Winter 2011 to close the chapter and find the Camaro a new home. Less than 5, 000 miles had been covered in these 17 years of ownership but as is often the way, the enjoyment of this ownership was the journey. This was now an award-winning show car seeking a discerning new custodian. In February 2011, Fanshawe agreed a sale to a financier and custom car collector based in Burnham-On-Sea. For the next 13 years, the Camaro was kept covered-up in a storage facility and to our knowledge didn`t see the light of day until February 2024 when the owner requested a company in Axminster to undertake light re-commissioning and a pre-MoT exercise. With replaced door actuators, remotes and relays and a fresh MoT Certificate, the car went up for sale again and was purchased by an American car enthusiast in Great Yarmouth. A veteran on the local show circuit, our new keeper took his recent acquisition to a number of shows through the 2024 season whilst continuing to fettle mechanical elements on the car to include a fresh set of road springs, replacement water pump and new drive belts. With 2 other show cars requiring attention, it was decided to sell the Camaro and in August 2025, we acquired it and have continued to show the car and enjoy it on sunny days.
The Camaro presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is genuinely stunning. Bodywork is exceptional and paintwork superb with as-new trim, glass and seals. Whilst just one or two tiny storage-related blemishes are evident, it is still every inch a show car worthy of attention and award. The interior echoes the same story and although was retrimmed over 25 years ago, has evidently seen very light use. Turn the key and the low-stressed LG4 V8 fires immediately into life sounding sweet and purposeful. On the road, the Camaro unsurprisingly feels fresh, tight and responsive with excellent road manners, positive steering and superb brakes. On a sunny Saturday morning, I took the car for an extended trip along the coast-road to West Bay. To be honest, I`ve actually been using and enjoying the Camaro on a regular basis since acquisition and just love it. Discreet it isn`t but it has proven to be comfortable, reliable and huge fun with plenty of grunt without being too lairy.
The Camaro comes with literally a whole crate of history. From it`s very first 1986 sales receipt in California and original Maintenance Schedule and Warranty Book, 4 full-size ring binders containing hundreds of receipts for parts and labour from 1994-2010, a 170-page typed diary of “Project Camaro Phase II” documenting work from 1999-2011, instruction manuals, VIN de-code sheet, wiring diagrams, 3 photograph albums containing over 300 colour prints of the car from 1994-2011, 3 floppy discs with further photographs, a quantity of old MoT Certificates, both old and new style V5C documents and a current MoT Certificate to May 2026. In addition, the crate contains an original 1984 Camaro Shop Manual, a Performance Handbook and a copy of Flammang`s book, “Camaro Style, Speed and Spirit”.
A unique opportunity to acquire a very special car with unbelievable provenance.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
Deposit now taken.
