“Every car has a story, and every car guy wants to tell you that story.”

Dennis Stiffler

To hear him tell it, the story behind his fantastic F-body was many years in the making. “I fell in love with the 1969 Camaro as a young man. When Pro Touring cars became popular, I knew I had to have one.”

Without a doubt, Dennis’ Camaro has the looks to thrill, and enough LS3 horsepower under the hood to make his heart race whenever he steps on the accelerator. There’s a lot more to this automotive love story, and Dennis is more than happy to tell you all about it.

(Image/Summit Racing)

From bumper to bumper, Dennis Stiffler’s 1969 F-body is absolutely flawless. “A car needs to look good from the outside,” says Dennis. I like an original look with some modern upgrades. It’s the best of both worlds.”

True-to-form, the Camaro’s classic lines are covered with a spectacular Iridium Silver paint job, and there are lots of the latest go-fast goodies under the cowl induction hood. But this extraordinary Chevy is so much more than a collection of parts. It’s the culmination of a life-long passion for Detroit Iron that started in Dennis’s junior year of high school.

“My mother bought a brand new 1966 Olds Cutlass and I bought that car from her. I still have it! I also have a 1967 Nova that I love, and a 1965 442.”

(Image/Summit Racing)

What’s under the hood, you say? Well, look closely—Dennis left a clue with this custom badge.

“I wanted to name the car. The name had to tie the car’s LS3 engine and silver color together. My son and I brainstormed a few ideas, and LSilv3r popped into our heads. I really don’t remember which one of us thought of it first,” says Dennis with a laugh!

(Image/Summit Racing)

As advertised, the immaculately prepared engine bay houses some serious LS3 muscle. Dennis took pains to keep the plumbing and wiring tidy and mostly out of sight. A Holley Sniper EFI system handles the induction duties, and also provides a handy hiding place for the LS3’s coil packs.

“I epoxied the coils to the manifold, and they barely fit. I was worried there might be some electrical interference but it works fine,” explains Dennis

(Image/Summit Racing)

A pair of Eddie Motorsports hinges look great and help with the heavy lifting when it’s time to open the hood. Dennis’ hand-bent A/C lines run in perfect symmetry and snake behind the wheel well for a clean, show-winning look. It’s a testament to his craftsmanship and attention to detail.

(Image/Summit Racing)

Inside, the well-appointed interior is all business with some improvements, of course. “Those door panels were a GM option back in ’69,” says Dennis. “I saw them on another Camaro and thought they were custom. When I found out they were a deluxe factory upgrade, I wanted a set for my car.”

Speaking of upgrades, the Camaro’s cabin also features modern creature comforts like a Vintage Air A/C system, Pioneer stereo, and leather-lined Recaro seats.

(Image/Summit Racing)

When Dennis rolls out, he rides on a set of Fikse Profil-5S wheels wrapped with sticky Nitto 555 tires. The wheel’s split-spoke design combined with low-profile rubber serves up plenty of Pro-Touring style and performance.

Plus, a beefy Baer disk brake system is always on call when Dennis needs to rein in that LS3-generated forward progress.

(Image/Summit Racing)

“I found the car in New Jersey. It was just a shell, and I thought it only needed block sanding and paint. But after it was media blasted, it was so bad I considered scrapping it,” says Dennis.

It’s a familiar story, but he persevered and enlisted some help from pros at Dutchboys Hotrods and Wing’s Auto Art. As you can see the results are simply spectacular. 

(Image/Summit Racing)

The 1969 Camaro arrives dressed to impress with a red Chevy Bowtie. Wait a minute… a red bowtie?

“The original Bowtie was blue, but I wanted to add a splash of color that would tie in with the LSilv3r badges,’’ explains Dennis. It’s a subtle touch to be sure, but it’s just one more thing to love about this custom Camaro.

(Image/Summit Racing)

With the support of his wife Susan—plus some help from a talented group of builders—Dennis poured six years into this labor of love. We say it was time very well spent indeed!

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Dennis Stiffler’s 1969 Chevy Camaro Fast Specs

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Chassis

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Engine and Transmission

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Exterior

  • Bodywork By: Dutchboys Hotrods, Vicksburg, MI
  • Paint By: Wing’s Auto Art, Ionia, MI
  • Paint: PPG Mercedes Iridium Silver

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Interior

  • Seats and Upholstery: Recaro seats with leather upholstery, black carpeting
  • Upholstery By: Bohde’s Custom Auto Interior, Ligonier, IN
  • Other Items: Detroit Speed dash insert and roll bar, Speedhut gauges, Pioneer head unit, JL Audio amp, speakers, and subwoofer
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Author: James Millar