OT(?) Earnhardt Jr's Camaro

This will probably die an untimely death, BUT.... Has anyone seen this thing in the new Hot Rod? All the dimple punching, and air intake screening, race car flavored cool stuff. Just a simple, balls out street car. Where most have overdone this theme, this guy's really nailed the simplistic perfection of what i believe a Hot Rod to be. Everything just there for an actual purpose. No frilly bullshit. Realistic 450ish horsepower, and single carb. No bullshit turbos and elaborate electronic induction. Just a bitchen, functional, no bullshit, fun SOB to drive little bad boy. Sorry guys, but the flavor and style of this thing just impresses the shit out of me. It's really worth a look. If you don't get Hot Rod, take a peak at your local convenience store. I kinda relate the functionality/beauty with the rootbeer brown Pinkee built RPU

 

Many understated detail ideas,that could be applied to other vehicles(yes even hot rods).You said it right,not "overdone"like so many others.

 

Haven't seen it. Gave up on Hot Rod years ago but might take a peek just because it's his. You never know what can inspire you.

 

I saw it and liked it. I dig muscle cars and it was cool to see that a guy who could afford all the fancy, overdone bullshit, just had a fast, well made car done for himself. At first, I wasn't going to read the article because I figured there was going to be $20,000 worth of chrome, titanium rims and a 2,000 HP gold plated engine. I'm glad it turned out different. That Camaro looks like a very well done muscle car that you might actually see being driven, instead of sitting on a rotating pedestal. I give it, the shop and Dale a thumbs up.

 

Pics?

 

The new one should be here any day. The kid ain't the ol' man, but he's got his own style that I like.

 

I didn't see the article but the car was built by Kyle and Stacy Tuckers place Detroit Speed & Engineering. Here is a link to the build. More pictures then you'll know what to do with.
http://www.detroitspeed.com/projectpages/dalejr/dalejr_main.htm

 

Detroit Speed builds some awesome cars that are full on functional and realistic (both owners Kyle & Stacy Tucker were suspension engineers at GM for a while) and they have brought there knowledge to the Pro touring world and build cars to be driven.
They moved there operations from the Michigan area a few years back to the Mooresville Charlotte area, close to Jr's shop and apparently he liked what he saw them doin too, they do some nice work indeed.

Yes this thing is sweet.

 

For those who are going to the GoodGuys Charlotte event ... Detroit Speed is having a OPEN HOUSE ... on Friday night. AND the Earnhardt Camaro in question is scheduled to be there ...

go here

http://www.detroitspeed.com/news_events/openhouse07.htm

 

saw it at good guys in Columbus this past summer..


as a rule I don't care for camaro's

but this one was awesome.. and I agree.. this one ISNT overdone like so many of this years "pro_whatever" cars/.

 

looks mean. simple, clean and mean!

 

Here's Kyle in his 32 Ford roadster ... I think he has super taste in roadsters too ...

He has done the " All Deuces Run to Blowing Rock "
That's when the above photo was taken.

 

I love early second generation Camaro's esp. the RS..........to bad it doesnt belong to Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon though.

 

Just looks like another Camaro to me.

 

Stacy & Kyle are not only great engineers, they are even greater PEOPLE! Talented, humble and incredibly nice people. Kyle helped me find my 40 in NC and I bought it sight unseen based on his opinion as he and his Dad are long time HOT RODDERS who have built many of great car.

The accolades are well-deserved!!!

Eric

 

Sorry to have to correct you sweetie but that is Stacy's roadster. She had it before she met and married Kyle. In fact, if I remember correctly, it used to be her fathers

 

That was the last thing I read in that issue. I don't know why, but when I see a celeb (Ok, ok, I know Jr's not that kind of celeb) with a build up, I hold it in contempt. Did they go and help design the build at least, or did they just throw the shop an open check? Big whoop. Show me a celeb that can assemble an engine and weld stuff. Then the'll have my admiration. Anyone remember the Tim Allen F-100? No? Yep, I thought so.

 

that camaro is very nice I cant find anything I dont like about it which is pretty rare. I guess he made sure they put a shelf in the back so he could take his dog for rides!

 

Funny you should mention that because the color is "Home Depot Orange".

 

the little race car type details rock, like the a/c vents look like carb butterflys. just cool, and Kyle says Jr. drives it hard.

 

It would have if a newbie posted instead....

 

Not only did Dale help with how the car should be done, but it's common knowledge that he used to turn wrenches for his old man back in his early days. Maybe you missed his input in the article.

 

I believe you are correct ...
I seem to remember that ... but alas ... I getting old and freeble
They say the memory is the first thing to go ...

 

I really dislike Camaros, but the craftsmanship is awesome. It's even better in person.

 

I skipped over the article because it was a celeb. car (and he was on the cover with it ) , guess I'll have to go back and read it!

It does look tasteful and very well built.

Malcolm

 

If i remember right the article said that Jr. wanted Stac'ys camaro and they wouldnt sell it to him. He or they went out and found another one like it and it turned out to be a rust bucket. I like it why money can buy anything. Sr. made JR build his own cars when he was getting started racing. He knows which end of a screw driver to grab onto. Theres a lot of drivers out there especially on F-1 that cant ever change spark plugs.

 

I agree with everything positive that's been said about Kyle and Stacy. Not only are they former GM suspension engineers but about the nicest people your bound to run into.
Little story: When they had their Twister Camaro (their first Pro-Touring effort) at Detroit Autorama a few year back it was displayed with one of the front tires off so that you could see the suspension. I wanted to talk to Kyle about it but he was tied up talking to someone. Stacy walked over and asked if she could help me. I was a little hesitant but asked her about the caster/camber curves in the front suspension as I was building a lot of suspension pieces for Howe Racing Enterprises (Large oval track suplier) at the time and was curious after looking their set-up over how it compared. Without hesitation she delved into a very detailed description of the details and we were off and running with a nice conversation. A few minutes later Kyle walked over and asked if there was anything he could help with. Stacy introduced us and told him about my Howe relationship. I simply thanked him for the offer but Stacy was handling my questions quite well. He smiled and walked away.
Fast forward, my son is now redoing the Z-28 I gave him for his 16th birthday (26 years ago) and is utilizing Detroit Speed components for the front and rear suspension. Small world. I've got to make a point of looking up the Tuckers and congratulating Stacy on her being picked as woman of the year for the Goodguy's organization. She is a most deserving recipient.

Frank

 

That would have been the 2000 Autorama as it was the same time frame I also met them for the first time. They did Hot Rod Mag's Power Tour that spring from San Berdo CA to Panama City Beach FL in their "Twister" Camaro. I met them on that tour and was in awe of Stacy and her car knowledge....still am. They were also awarded Street Machine of the Year with that Camaro that year and were on the cover of many mags. Probably the nicest couple in the industry.

 

Absolutely. Kyle and Stacy are awesome people. Nice and talented.

 

I agree, the camaro is awsome. I looked at it at Columbus. The details are so simple but very well done. One thing that sticks in my mind is how well the exposed plumbing looked.